Page 41 of The Layover

“Blink if you’ve been kidnapped.”

I couldn’t stop laughing. “Knock it off. Do you want to hear my story or just make up your own?”

“The one in my head is probably better,” Daria said.

I rolled my eyes. “I assume that’s true. But here’s the truth—their little girl wanted to play pretend wedding, and I was available. The story that was supposed to run would’ve been about how whimsical this church is, and it inspires all ages to play make-believe.”

“The feminist in me is bothered that the default make-believe was wedding and the mom in me knows that Harmony would’ve done the same. Do you promise you’re all right?” Daria stopped teasing long enough to sound genuinely concerned.

It was sweet of her, but unnecessary. “Fuck. Yes. I promise I’m fine.”

“Okay. When Brooke calls, if you tell her a different story, I’ll know.”

I shook my head. “Thanks for the heads up.” We said our goodbyes and I disconnected. Rather than rejoining the guys, I waited. If this was how Daria reacted, I needed to make sure I told Megan none of this was real before she found the news on her own. She’d probably send Nigel after me, to make sure he took care of whoever was holding me against my will.

Just a few minutes later, Brooke called. “Daria told me you’d been kidnapped.”

“I haven’t.”

“Is Italy pretty?” Brooke and I hadn’t been friends long, but I adored her. It did mean she didn’t know my habits as well as Daria. In this case, that appeared to be a good thing.

“It gets more gorgeous every time I’m here. Wanna see?” I asked.

“Of course.”

Diego and Raul were currently focused on the demolition crew. I snapped a picture with them in the foreground and a stained-glass wall in the background, and sent it to Brooke.

“Wow.” Her awe was tangible. “My view is better, but I love the stained glass.”

Agree to disagree. Brooke’s boyfriends were pretty, but Diego and Raul were fucking sexy. Besides, the closest Adam got to an accent was a fake southern drawl when he was doing his Matthew McConaughey impersonation. “You’re biased,” I said. “Next time Daria calls and tells you I’ve been kidnapped, tell her I’m fine.”

“Will do. Talk soon.”

“What was that?” Diego’s question startled me. I didn’t realize he’d joined me.

It was fun, but it was also ridiculous, that was what it was. “Friends who know me too well. What’s up?”

“I’ve been thinking about how I want to change things up in the kitchen, to account for the demolition mistake,” he said. “Nothing big, but I’d like to run my ideas by you and Raul. Eloise is at his parents’ for the night. Will you stay an extra hour or two and talk through this with us?”

Working late with the men I’d slept with just a few nights ago? With the guys the world thought I was married to?

That seemed like a bad idea.

Then again, I was here to work with and for them, so turning him down seemed stupid.

“We’re staying here, if that helps your decision at all. Strictly professional,” Diego said.

That was a smidge disappointing, but it was for the best. “Sure. I can stay.”

Nothing would happen. I wouldn’t let anything happen. I didn’t want anything to happen.

Except, if I had all of that tattooed on my forehead, I still wouldn’t believe that was the way I wanted things to go.

15

Diego

I didn’t want to tell the world that the marriage to Carly was fake.

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