Eva just stands there, her mouth slightly open, staring like me.
“Well,” she finally says, glancing at me with a grin, “let’s go make a good impression on the king of the island.”
I grab our bags and follow her up the path, trying to focus on the mission ahead: Play the role. Be the charming fiancé. Impress the McNeals.
But as she walks in front of me, her laugh still echoing from whatever joke she cracked seconds ago, I can’t help but wonder. If this whole fake relationship thing keeps going the way it has, am I going to be the one who ends up fooled?
Before either of us can even reach for the doorbell, the massive front doors swing open, revealing Mr. McNeal with a wide, welcoming smile.
“Hi! Welcome!” he says cheerfully. “I’m so glad you guys could make it. Austin and Noah are inside. Come on in, let me show you around.”
Eva steps beside me, her face lighting up as she takes in the sprawling property again. “Your house is beautiful,” she says.
“Thank you,” he replies, pleased. “My wife has a great eye for design. Come on, you’re just in time.”
We walk in and it’s like stepping into the cover of a luxury lifestyle magazine. The floors are polished marble, cool and gleaming under our feet. High ceilings make the space feel even bigger, and there are elegant, gold-accented light fixtures hanging like chandeliers from the beams. The living room opens up ahead, with massive floor-to-ceiling windows letting in a flood of Florida sunlight. Plush neutral-toned furniture fills the space, accented with tropical plants and abstract art.
I’m still hauling both mine and Eva’s luggage as we walk into the living room where our friends are already gathered. They’re sitting on a huge sectional, chatting easily with a woman I immediately recognize as Mrs. McNeal.
She’s tall and elegant, wearing a light kaftan and gold hoop earrings, with sun-kissed skin and an animated expression. She’s clearly in the middle of a good story when she notices us, standing quickly with genuine excitement.
“Esteban!” she says as I shake her hand. “It’s so nice to see you again. You’re just as handsome as I remember.”
I chuckle and set the suitcases down carefully on the floor. “Mrs. McNeal, it’s so nice to see you again too. You have a beautiful home.”
She turns to Eva with a warm smile and gives her a kiss on the cheek. “Eva is so good to see you. Come, come, sit.”
She gestures toward the large couch, and I gently guide Eva toward it. As she sinks into the cushions beside me, I reach for her hand and give it a little squeeze. When she glances my way, I offer a wink. She smiles back and shoots me a wink of her own.
Mrs. McNeal clasps her hands together. “Would you like anything to drink before I show you to your rooms?”
I glance at Eva, and she gives a small shake of her head.
“No, thank you,” I tell Mrs. McNeal.
We sit for a few minutes, exchanging pleasantries. Mr. McNeal joins us again, laughing easily with Noah about something. Adrian is beside Violet, and Austin has Ethan resting on his chest. The whole vibe is relaxed but energized, like we’ve stepped into the kind of vacation where peoplewear linen, close big deals, and fall asleep sunburned and happy.
After a few minutes, Mrs. McNeal claps her hands. “Alright, I’ll show you all to your rooms so you can get changed. It’s only noon, and the weather is perfect. I thought we could spend the afternoon by the pool. My husband loves to grill and talk business while I sunbathe and drink margaritas.”
“All the yes, please,” Josy says, immediately perking up.
“Count me in,” Violet adds with a grin.
“Sounds like a plan,” Eva says, already sounding excited.
We’re led down a wide hallway that branches off to a guest wing of the house. Our room is directly beside Adrian’s, with Austin and Violet next to him. At the far end of the hallway are Noah and Josy’s quarters.
Once she leaves us at our door, I glance at Eva and say, “Five minutes to change and impress the crowd at the pool?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Eva
The second the bedroom door clicks shut behind us, I drop my purse onto the bed and do a slow spin, taking it all in.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” I whisper, wide-eyed.
The room looks like it was pulled from a luxury resort brochure. Light pours in through tall glass doors that lead to a private balcony. The king-size bed is perfectly made with crisp white linens and fluffy pillows stacked against a sand-colored upholstered headboard. Soft ocean tones decorate the walls and furniture—blue, beige, white—like the whole space is just calm. Peaceful.
