Page 14 of Where She Belongs
“I just find it interesting that someone supposedly in a committed relationship would keep a separate room reservationuntil the last minute.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Almost like it was a very recent... arrangement.”
“Or maybe,” Andrea cuts in, her voice steady despite the tension I feel in her shoulders, “some of us learned the hard way not to trust too quickly. Though I guess you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?”
That shuts him up, though I notice Kitty suddenly becoming very interested in her phone.
“Your suite is in the North Tower, top floor,” the clerk says, handing over our key cards. “The views are absolutely spectacular, especially at sunset.”
“We should get settled,” Andrea says, tugging me toward the elevators. “Long flight.”
“Very long,” I agree, letting my thumb brush over her knuckles. “And someone promised me we’d finally try out that oversized tub.”
The last thing I see before the elevator doors close is Simon’s face turning an interesting shade of purple.
“I did not promise any such thing,” Andrea hisses once we’re alone, though her eyes are dancing with suppressed laughter.
“No,” I admit, grinning. “But his face was worth it.”
She shakes her head, but doesn’t pull her hand from mine. “You’re terrible.”
“That’s not what you said last week over dinner,” I tease, then dodge her swat. “The dinner we supposedly had where you asked me to cancel my room? Keep up with our story, Dr. Martin.”
“I hate you,” she mutters, but she’s smiling.
“No you don’t,” I say. “You love me, remember? At least for the next four days.”
The moment Andrea and I walk into the suite, I understand why Simon would want to claim it as his own. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame a postcard-perfect view of the Hawaiian coastline, where tiki torches flicker like stars along the beach path below. The waves beyond catch the last rays of sunset, turning the Pacific into liquid gold.
“Oh wow,” Andrea murmurs as she stands by the windows. “Look, Gabe.”
I follow her to the window, where I can see what’s captured her attention. The sprawling resort grounds unfold beneath us like a carefully arranged paradise. The infinity pool merges seamlessly with the ocean horizon, it’s blue-lit waters casting ethereal patterns on the surrounding palm trees. To our left, the beach pavilion where Tristy will say her vows stands elegant and white against the twilight, gauzy curtains dancing in the sea breeze.
“There.” Andrea points to a torch-lit structure near the water. “That’s where the welcome dinner is.” She pauses. “Oh, Gabe, what would I have done without you?”
“You’d have panicked.” She’d also have given up her suite to her asshole ex because it’s just like Andrea to think too much of other people instead of herself.
She chuckles. “I definitely would have. But you’re right about us knowing each other for so long. Pretending we’re dating doesn’t feel weird at all.”
“Let’s make a deal,” I say as we return into the living room. “We’ll do the best we can to pretend we’re a couple. But if anything feels weird or off, all you have to do is tell me and I’ll back off. How does that sound?”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“I’ll take the sofa bed,” I say, wheeling my suitcase toward it. “You take the bedroom.”
Andrea glances at the sofa, then back at me. “Gabe, that thing can’t be comfortable.”
I flash a reassuring smile. “This is a five-star resort. How bad can their sofa beds be?” I check my watch. “We should probably start getting ready. The welcome dinner is in forty-five minutes, and I’m guessing you’ll want to freshen up first.”
She nods, then pauses halfway to the main bedroom. “Gabe?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For all of this.”
I want to tell her she never has to thank me, that being here for her is as natural as breathing. Instead, I say, “Go get ready. Can’t have the mother of the bride be late for her own daughter’s welcome dinner.”
The moment we step into the pavilion, I hear him before I see him.
“You son of a bitch.”
