He’s laughing it off like it’s something guys just do, and I’m sick to my stomach. Dana and I have chatted quite a bit the times we’ve been out together. She’d told me a week ago that she thought Shawn was going to propose soon. How could he do this to her? What the hell kind of guy does that? Fuming, I make my decision.
I’ve got to tell her that he cheated. If it was me, I’d want to know.
Surprisingly, I guess I managed to finally fall back to sleep. Taking a quick inventory of myself, I realize Shawn’s hand still rests on my waist. My heart pounds, and I’m amazed at how quickly every part of my body awakens. I do my best not to disturb him and carefully reach an arm toward the bedside table to grab for my phone. I must have completely knocked out again because all of a sudden, it’s past nine, and my stomach is rumbling like the motor of a monster truck.
A smirk tips onto my lips when I see the exchange of chatter that had gone on after I put my phone down last night.
Piper: I guess you have all weekend to figure it out.
Hadleigh: Allllll weekend. With Shawn. Wow.
Sophia: Stop thinking impure thoughts about my soon-to-be brother-in-law.
Quinn: I mean … can you blame her?
Zoey: Who are we blaming for what, again?
And it went on and on for several hours just like that. I stifle a giggle, glancing down through the comments again before I respond.
Me: I think I may have a very real crush on my very fake boyfriend.
Me: Discuss.
It’s not long before the messages begin to ping in like speeding bullets.
Sophia: Oh, girl. I knew that would happen, especially since you already told me you had a little crush on him before.
Zoey: Whaaa????
Me: Yeah. Back in high school. And maybe even again when I first started dating Chase.
Hadleigh: Naughty girl.
Me: It’s bad. So bad.
Quinn: Well, practice makes perfect. Maybe he’ll realize what a catch you are after pretending all weekend.
Piper: Good grief you all get up early when you’re on vacation.
This time, I can’t stop the giggles.
Behind me, Shawn props up on his elbow. “What’s so funny?” He leans in, his face right in the crook between my shoulder and neck, and I pull the phone to my chest.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Lemme see.” He holds out his hand in front of me, wiggling his fingers.
I shake my head. “No. Nope. No can do.”
He puts his hand on my waist again, tickling me with his strong fingers and sending those same tingly feelings as before through my whole body.
And I want his hands on me, but I just can’t. I lurch from the bed, fleeing to the safety of the bathroom.
I take care of business, brush my teeth, splash water on my face, and examine my expression in the mirror. My eyes are bright, cheeks are pink, and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Today’s the day. I get to spend the whole day with Shawn in front of other people, and we’re going to … lie.
Well, that puts a damper on things. With a sniff, I rejoin Shawn. He eyes me from where he’s still lying in the bed, tangled up in the bedsheets.
And there it is again—the jolt of lust is so strong it makes me dizzy. I blow out a deep breath.