Page 73 of Hate You, Maybe
Friends.
The word strikes a strange chord in my throat. Last week, I would’ve told you Dexter Michaels was the bane of my existence. And yet just moments ago, I was dreaming of more than his hands in my hair.
I wanted his lips on my mouth.
“If it makes you feel any better,” Hildy says, lowering her voice, “Bob and I aren’t just business partners.”
I tip my head. “What are you?”
“Married!” Bob hoots. Then he peers around in thedarkness like he’s checking for witnesses. “Yes sir, you’re looking at a guy who works with the old ball and chain. But Hildy and I don’t tell anyone. We’re afraid our retreat guests might be distracted by all our natural animal magnetism.”
Hildy nods in agreement. “Keeping our feral chemistry under wraps is hard enough as it is.”
I’m not sure if she’s being sarcastic or serious, but either way, I fight a laugh, and Dex makes a gurgling sound in the back of his throat.
“The point is,” Bob says, “Hildy and I understand why you two wouldn’t want anyone to know you’re a couple.”
“Oh, hey!” Tori bounces around the corner of the lodge. “They found out?” She hoists her hands in the air like a bank robber caught by the cops. “I swear I didn’t tell them your secret!”
“Awwww, man.” A look of disappointment drips down Bob’s face. “I thought Hildy and I were the only ones to figure it out.”
I glance at Dexter, wondering how he wants to play this. If we deny being a couple now, Tori will know we’ve been lying to her for days. Or, more accurately, thatIlied to her. And she’s been so nice and surprisingly supportive. There’s no good option. We either keep up the lie or?—
“Please don’t tell anyone else,” Dex says, taking the decision out of my hands. “Sayla and I don’t want our boss to think we’re unprofessional. And either way, this is all so new, we just want this time to be about us. You know how it is when you’re falling for someone. It’s … just … special.”
Falling for someone.
I know his words aren’t real, but still. I hold my breath.
Hildy sighs, her eyes clouding over with nostalgia. “That was so long ago.”
“A million years,” Bob says.
“Well. More like thirty-five,” Hildy corrects.
“Either way.” Bob clears his throat. “You two can feel safe being your natural selves around us.”
“We won’t say a word,” Hildy pipes up.
“I didn’t even tell Caroline,” Tori chirps.
The three of them nod expectantly, like they’re waiting for a response.
Dex releases a long breath. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“Such a relief,” I exhale, wiping my brow. “Phew!”
“See?” He turns to me, his hands sturdy on my shoulders. “We don’t have to worry anymore. They’re on our side. Everybody is.” He gathers me to him, and I gaze up into his dark eyes. “Feel better now?”
“I do.”
“Aww,” Tori squeaks. “You two are just so perfect together.”
“She’s the perfect one.” Dexter’s really selling the lovey-dovey boyfriend act. And even though I know he’s only pretending, his warmth liquifies me anyway.
“Thank you,” I say, because we have an audience. And anyway, what else would I tell him even if we were alone?
You’re not as bad as I thought.
