Frasier’s side of the bed was empty, and I picked up the note he’d left me on the hotel stationery. His scrawl was barely legible, but I’d always been able to decipher it.
Angel,
Hope you got some good rest. Went for a workout. Enjoy the spa. I’ll see you later.
F
And then he’d doodled a little picture of a cartoon bear lounging on the beach. I rolled onto my back, laughing at the image of the bear. I didn’t know how long he’d been gone, but the fact that my phone had alerted me of an incoming text message meant it was late. Or at least, late enough for my “Do Not Disturb” feature to have switched off.
Was it any wonder I’d slept in? After a long day of travel, Frasier and I should’ve crashed. Instead, we’d stayed up late into the night talking about his idea to “roll with it.” To pretend we were dating. I still couldn’t believe he’d suggested it in the first place. And even after sleeping on it, I wasn’t sure whether it was a great idea or a terrible one.
Angel.
I could remember the way the pet name had rolled off his tongue last night. And now, he’d used it on a note. I wasn’t sure what to think of it or anything.
My phone buzzed again, and I glanced at the screen. There was an update from the dog sitter, and I smiled at the pictures she’d sent Frasier and me of Bacon and Biscuit. They definitely seemed happy, and that was a relief. It wasn’t often that both Frasier and I were unavailable. Then I opened my sister’s wedding group thread.
(Bride Tribe Chat)
Allie: See you all at the spa at ten!
Elise: Can’t wait!
I scrolled past the rest and then exited the group chat. Frasier and I had decided to skip breakfast with the rest of the wedding party, but I wouldn’t be able to avoid my sister for much longer. Nor would I have Frasier as a buffer.
The bridal party was scheduled for a girls-only day of pampering and relaxation at the spa. Dad was planning to golf with a few of my uncles. Meanwhile, the groom and a bunch of the guys were spending the day at the pool. Both groups had invited Frasier to join, but he’d opted to spend the morning working out instead, which was fine by me. He barely knew mostof them, and his training was important. Besides, tonight, we’d all come together for a joint bachelor/bachelorette party at one of the island’s well-known beach bars. And that would be when I really needed him by my side.
A new text from Georgia popped up on the screen.
Georgia: How’s Anguilla?
Me: We got in super late, and I’m exhausted. But it’s beautiful here!
I sat up and tried to snap a shot of the French doors with the view beyond.
Me: (picture attached)
Georgia: And how are things with your “date”?
Me: He’s actually my fake boyfriend now. Thanks for asking.
I hit send before I could talk myself out of it. My phone immediately started vibrating in my hand. I answered it and put it on speaker mode before placing it on the mattress.
“Um. What? What the heck happened? I thought you were going to tell your sister the truth.” Georgia asked.
“I was.” I cringed. “But then things sort of spiraled out of control.”
“That seems like an understatement,” she mused. “Did something happen between you and Frasier?”
“I—” I cleared my throat. There had been the wrestling, the nip slip, and the erection. But I wasn’t going to mention that. We’d stopped it before it could go any further. “No.”
“Do you want something to happen?”
“No.”Yes. Maybe?
“Okay, but then why are you fake-dating him?”
The silence that followed told me she was waiting for me to explain.
