So I told her about my call with my sister before I’d left for the wedding. The surprise upgrade to the romantic beach bungalow and the fully booked hotel. Followed by my eventual confession to Frasier about our “relationship status.”
“And then he suggested that we roll with it,” I finished.
“That’s what he said? ‘Roll with it’?”
I nodded then remembered she couldn’t see me. “Basically, yeah.”
“Wow.” Her tone was one of disbelief.
“I know!” I still couldn’t believe it myself. It seemed so out of character for him.
“And you’re okay with lying to your family? Well, continuing to lie to your family.”
I could either tell my family the truth and admit why I’d lied. Or I could continue lying, and maybe I’d actually enjoy the wedding.
Besides, it really wasn’t anything new. I’d gotten very good at hiding my pain from my family and friends. Frasier was one of the few exceptions, along with my girlfriends, Georgia, Kylie, and Logan. I couldn’t have made it through all that I had without them.
“I don’t love the idea, but it’s only for the next few days. Then we’ll go back home, and everything will go back to normal. In a month or two, I can tell my family we decided to just be friends.”
“Mm.”
I didn’t like that mm.
“This is kind of a big deal,” she said. “He hasn’t dated in a while. And if anyone finds out, it’sgoingto be a huge deal.” Shewas quiet a moment, then said, “Maybe you should talk to Kylie. Give her a heads-up. Just…in case.”
Frasier and I had discussed the potential for someone finding out, but we were hoping that what happened on Anguilla stayed on Anguilla. Perhaps it was naïve, but I wasn’t sure there was any way around it. If we were going to pretend to date, it was a risk we were going to have to take.
He didn’t seem bothered by the idea. And considering the fact that we were on a small island, during the off-season, I was trying not to be too concerned. There was really no need to involve Kylie and my PR team for now. But as my friend, I wanted to tell her.
“It’s just for the wedding. And we both know it’s fake.”
Georgia was quiet for a moment, and I could tell she wasn’t entirely convinced. But then she said, “You know…this could be the perfect chance to work on getting those needs met.”
My expression soured. “I’m not having sex with Frasier simply to have those needs met. I wouldn’t use him like that.”
“I wasn’t suggesting that, but it’s good to know that’s what your mind immediately jumped to.” I could hear the smugness in her tone.
I rolled my eyes, grateful she couldn’t see the current shade of my face—bright, red, tomato.
“Youknow you’re just friends,” she continued. “But everyone else thinks you’re a couple, right?”
They would soon enough, unless I told my sister the truth. “Yes.”
“And you feel comfortable with Frasier. You trust Frasier.”
I turned on my side, propping my head up with my hand. “You know I do.”
“I’m not suggesting that you have sex. But since you’re already pretending, maybe…lean into your role as his fakegirlfriend. See what it feels like to date again in a safe, no-pressure way.”
I furrowed my brow. “Lean into it…how?”
“Be more affectionate. Flirt. Have fun. See what it’s like to imagine being in a relationship with someone again.”
“I don’t know,” I hedged. This situation was already messy, and that could only complicate matters even more. Plus, I wasn’t sure if I could keep my emotions out of it.
“Just think about it. Imagine the possibilities.”
We ended the call soon after that since I had to get ready to meet the Bride Tribe at the spa. Frasier still wasn’t back from his workout, and I was secretly relieved to have some time to myself to sift through my thoughts, as well as everything Georgia had said.
