But when I looked over at the beach, I caught Jake posing for selfies, like he did at dinner.
Everyone was free to do whatever they wanted.But I knew I couldn’t be with someone who was more interested in having a relationship with their phone than spending time with me.I didn’t want to have to fight for their attention.
I know Sammie said that not all people were the same, but so far, Jake’s behaviour was feeling way too familiar.
Nope.
I’d prefer to be matched with literally anyone but him.
Right now, there wasn’t a single thing that convinced me that Jake was boyfriend material.
And it’d take a major miracle to prove otherwise.
8
HALLE
I was seated on one of the many plush white sun loungers by the giant love-heart-shaped pool, waiting for the first briefing to start.
Just like the rest of the hotel, everything screamed luxury and attention to detail.I’d noticed that even some of the daybeds were heart-shaped too.The designers had clearly made an effort to make sure the surroundings were romantic.
Shame there’d be no romance between me and my match.
Although it felt good to air my concerns to Sammie, I still had my reservations about Jake.And I wasn’t going to change my mind.
Just as I was about to start mentally counting all the things I didn’t like about him, I spotted Jake striding towards the pool.
As I took in the sight of his broad shoulders and muscular arms in the white T-shirt he was wearing, my breath caught in my throat.He might be an arrogant arsehole, but I couldn’t deny that he was an extremely good-looking one.Gah.
Anyway.It didn’t matter.His personality sucked.
‘Hey, Smiley!’ He flashed his Colgate grin.He’d definitely had his teeth done.There was no way his own could be that perfect.
Jake sat down on the plush daybed beside me and I tried to ignore the delicious masculine scent that surrounded me.It smelt like an expensive aftershave called Eau de Sexy Man.
Shame that it washimwearing it.
I snapped out of my trance.I shouldnotbe thinking about how great he smelt or how good his arms looked in that T-shirt.We weren’t going to be matched for long.Soon the hotel would realise it was a mistake to put us together and find me a suitable replacement.
When I finally shifted my thoughts away from Jake’s unfairly attractive appearance, I realised what he just called me and frowned.
‘My name is Halle: H-A-L-L-E.Want me to write it down to help you remember?’ I said sarcastically.
‘I’m aware of your name, sweetheart, but considering how much your face always lights up whenever you see me, I thoughtSmileysuited you better.’
‘It doesn’t light up!’ I narrowed my eyes.
‘See!There it is!’ he laughed.
‘I’m not smiling, I’mglaring!’
‘Really?’ He rested his finger on his chin.‘Nah… that’s definitely the look of love.Deny it all you want but mark my words, you’ll be flashing me a smile that’s bigger than Julia Roberts’s before you know it.’
‘You’re so…’
‘Amazing?Handsome?Funny?Jeez.Thanks for all the compliments.’ He smirked and my glare deepened.Just as I was searching for a response to make it clear that I definitely wouldnotuse any of those adjectives (well, the handsome one was accurate, but I wasn’t about to tell him that), Sammie started talking.
‘Morning, everyone!Welcome to the Love Hotel California!How are you all feeling today?’
