When her stormy blue eyes meet mine for a response, defeated, I shrug. “He’s the world’s happiest hedgehog.” I help Basil put the jacket back on to hide the stain on her dress again.
Sunny arrives minutes later. She doesn’t seem a quarter as thrilled to be here as Lynn; then again, no one does. “Mrs. Blakeman, I printed out the attendance report. If I recall, the Joneses are on the list. I can run back to my desk and grab it to confirm.” Sunny faces Basil and flutters her eyes, which seems ill-received based on the dagger looks they exchange. “As I told Mrs. Jones yesterday, it’simperativewe receive all guests' signatures.”
I squint at Basil. “Signatures? What’s she talking about?”
Lynn waves a hand in the air. “Never mind all that. I know that everyone who’s staying in a room needs a signature on file, but these two lovebirds are our special guests. Just slap my initials in the box.”
Mae nods. “You might think we're being over the top, but you wouldn't believe the monsters that try to pull a fast one over the resort, especially when the east side suits are sold out. Sunny here once got to the bottom of an eight-woman polycule situation. Three women checked in, and five more showed up days later asking how to get to the Sapphire East. It’s a shame when people lie and take advantage of good hospitality.”
“It also ruins opportunities for those who cultivate and champion genuine, loving, real polyamorous relationships, unlikesomepeople I know,” Sunny says, a little too passionately.
Lynn holds up a finger with an awkward chuckle. “Let’s not go down that depressing rabbit hole. I have a feeling these two will end up as leading contenders.”
I recall the bar talk from earlier.
Lynn continues, “And no doubt, the leading contenders for the tournament. Finally, some real competition for the champs worth watching.”
“What tournament?” Basil and I blurt out simultaneously.
Mae jumps in. “Five minutes. Get to the point, love.”
“Almost there.” Lynn grins. “There’ll be plenty of time to discuss the Sapphic Olympics at the hibachi restaurant. We’re still on for tomorrow, right?”
What? That’s not the bar conversation I remember. “No—”
“Yes!” Basil shouts over me. “Two p.m.”
I yank my head toward my fake wife’s direction. “Let’s not make any rash decisions without further discussion,honey.”
Lynn claps her hands together and glances at her watch. “Great. Just enough time for the big news.” Her eyes shimmer with excitement. “We got you a wedding gift.”
“No, no, no.” I shake my head in a rapid windshield-wiper motion. “We can’t accept.”
“A villa upgrade is the least we could do.” Mae offers a genuine smile. “You're the ones who graciously rescheduled your honeymoon to offer a client relationship–building opportunity. You’re a potential business partner. Even though we’re the client, we’ll still spoil you like proper guests.”
“Did we, now?” My side-eye is deadly. “We’re going to workon our honeymoon?”
“That is, if you don't mind some missing custom details from your original reservation,” Lynn adds. “The Honey Hut Villa, gold package, is our best model. There are three units, and you two get the last one.” She whips out a game-show host tone, waving both arms in the air and pausing to speak into the invisible mic. “Ocean view. Private deck and beach. Top shelf minibar. Skylight window. And my personal favorite selling point…” She leans close as if to tell us a secret and whispers, “Soundproof walls.”
This cannot be happening. I blink twice. It’s not like I’ll use the soundproofing, outside of screaming at Kaydence for getting me into this mess. I stare at a dot on the floor, ignoring teasing elbow jabs from Lynn.
Taking a deep breath, I quit fighting and accept my fate—and the two shiny new villa keys.
Time blurs by until Basil and I are alone. This is bad. I don’t have time for this debacle, especially not with the woman who ghosted me days ago.
Basil, appearing still as stunned as I am, breaks the silence. “I have so many questions. First, how are they a couple?”
Taking a hand, I massage my temples. “Better yet, how arewea couple?Basil.”
“Well…” She holds the key to eye level. “Perhaps we should further discuss our arrangement this evening.”
Arrangement? I face her with arms crossed over my chest. “There is no arrangement.” My jaw tightens. “And I don't need whatever you're offering.”
“But you do need a place to sleep.” Basil eyes me carefully. “It became painfully apparent during the conversation with the Blakemans that you were unaware of the policy. Now, excuse me, I have to get out of this dress.Allby myself.” Her eyes linger on my lips before she walks away.
It’s like she knows I’m checking her out. “That line won’t work on me twice,” I holler, and she flashes a smile over her shoulder.
Each sway of her hips reminds me of our night together. Talking and laughing until the rest of the world drifted away, my hands resting perfectly on her waist on the dance floor. Running my lips along her neck, feeling her pulse jolt underneath my touch. The way she pleaded for me to taste her and how I refused until her lips moved exactly where I wanted them.
