Page 60 of Never With You
But I should’ve known things would never be that easy. This man is destined to destroy me. He sidles Lauren next to me, and the three of us walk side by side as we make our way to the boat. And in classic Isaac fashion, he talks nonstop about his and Lauren’s whirlwind romance, purposely using his words to dig at me.
“We were at a club at two a.m., and I just saw her dancing.”
Said because I didn’t like to go clubbing, especially after eleven p.m.
“We connected over sports.”
Said because the hours he wasted watching sports were a constant fight between us.
“And we discovered we both have a mutual hate of social media.”
Said because he thought my Instagram travel page was juvenile.
“That was four months ago, and we’ve spent every moment together since.”
Said because I liked my independence.
“We do everything together.”
Said because I didn’t like how co-dependent he was.
“When you find someone who’s so easy to get along with, you jump on it.”
Said to drive home the point that I wasnoteasy to get along with.
“Well, that’s all really special.” I force cheeriness into my voice. “I’m happy for you both.”
“What about you? Are you dating anyone?” The patronizing tone behind his question tips me over the edge, and before I can think about all the ramifications, words spill out.
“Yeah, of course I have a boyfriend.” I nod, gaining steam. “Maybe you met him earlier—Nate.”
“Nate Farnsworth? The other guy running the trip?”
I could have just lied and said I had a wonderful boyfriend back home—a surgeon with a summer home in Sedona, but instead, I threw myself into the fire.
Like an idiot.
I blame Nate and Mr. International for this turn of events. Seeds were planted in my head, and now I’m desperately watering them so they’ll grow.
“Uh…yeah.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to play it cool.
“For how long?” He doesn’t seem convinced.
“It’s new.” I’m afibbertoo.“Really new.”
“Hmm.”
I steal a glance at him, noting his hardened jaw and faraway, distressed look. Nate was right again. This little ruse gives Isaac a taste of his own medicine, and it gives me great satisfaction. This is me thriving.
But then the reality of my lie hits.
For the next eight days, Nate Farnsworth will have to be my fake boyfriend.
Once on the boat,I grab a champagne glass off the waiter’s tray and down it in one gulp as I march toward Nate.
He frowns as he sees me coming, eyeing my liquid fortification.
“We’re doing this,” I say when I’m almost to his side.
