I pressed my lips together and shook my head. I could see the disappointment on her face. It made me feel slightly upset, but I understood why she didn’t look happy. Because if I hadn’t slept with Travis, that meant I had slept with Chandler, and that meant that we weren’t going to be getting married to two best friends. I also wondered if she was thinking about Jacob as well. That part complicated everything. Not that he and I had ever been intimate, so it shouldn’t really have mattered. But I got it sounded weird. How did you tell people that your boyfriend was actually someone you met because of your previous boyfriend and that they were related? I knew that if someone had given me that information, I would’ve been calling Jerry Springer on the phone ASAP.
“Are you okay?” Polly whispered. “It was consensual.”
“Yes.” I nodded and then grinned. “Very consensual.”
“So I’m taking it that it was good?”
“Amazing,” I whispered and then because I couldn’t stop, “I love him.”
“Omg, what?” Polly froze and touched my arm. “Honey, I hate to break this to you, but sex isn’t love. Men don’t—”
“No, silly.” I shook my head and laughed. “I know sex doesn’t equal love, but I love him. I figured it out before we even did it.”
“Oh, boy.” She pressed her lips together and pulled out her phone quickly and started texting.
“What are you doing?” I glared at her.
“I’m texting Harriet. Or would you rather I scream across the bus?” she asked, paused, and then continued. “I thought not. We need to have a meeting as soon as we get to the campsite.”
“About what?” I asked, annoyed.
“About what you’re going to do next.”
“What do you mean?”
“Girl, we’ve got the Chelsea Games about to start, and you’ve already banged one of the contestants.”
“So?” I shrugged. “It’s not like Travis is a virgin.”
“But he didn’t just hook up with someone else on this trip.”
“I don’t know that,” I said nonchalantly, and then I sighed. “Fine, I will let Travis know that I’m—”
“No, you won’t.” Polly shook her head. “We need to use Travis to ensure Chandler is a good guy, especially if you think you love him.”
“What do you mean?” My heart sank slightly. I knew Polly too well, and I knew her ideas never really worked out that well for either one of us.
“We need to test him.” She grinned wickedly. “Let’s see if he’s deserving of your love.”
“How?” I frowned. I didn’t really like where this was going.
“I don’t know yet, but I’m sure Harriet will have some ideas.” She leaned back into the seat and just shook her head. “Well, I never. You are a sly one, Chelsea Campbell. I had absolutely no idea.” I looked over at her and smiled. I was glad she wasn’t mad at me. And I was glad that she was going to help me figure out whether or not Chandler Andretti was someone to actually give my heart and soul to.
26
“We’ll be back,” Polly shouted out to all the men as she grabbed me by the arm and led me to a coffee shop on the periphery of the campsite. All of the men looked at us in surprise, and I could see Chandler giving me a look. Harriet, Lily, and Natasha ran up behind us, and we all giggled as we waved goodbye.
“So we’re just meant to put up the tents ourselves?” Finn shouted, shaking his head and looking at the other men. “Are we just here for our muscles?”
“What muscles?” Harriet giggled, and he growled and chased after her. He grabbed her, pulled her into his arms and swung her around. “Finn, put me down.” She laughed as he kissed her.
“Be good,” he said as he pulled back and stared at her adoringly.
“Of course.” She laughed. “We’re just going for refreshments.”
“Likely story.” He laughed and shook his head. “Don’t get yourself into too much trouble.”
“What are you trying to say, Finn?”