When I finally made my way over to the spa, I was still conflicted about the situation. I appreciated Frasier for suggesting what he had. But fake-dating your best friend seemed like asking for trouble.
Maybe I should just tell Allie the truth.I’d even said as much to Frasier last night.
I knew he’d offered to pretend we were a couple because he wanted to protect me. As pissed as he was at Allie for the things she’d said, he knew how important my relationship with my sister was to me. Even so, I wondered if pretending to be in a relationship with Frasier was really the best solution—at least where our friendship was concerned.
This trip was already pushing the boundaries of our relationship. Sharing a room, a bed. Not to mention the fight we’d had before that. He’d seen my nipple. I’d felt his hard-on. And I couldn’t stop thinking about the charged energy between us.
By the time I opened the door to the spa, my stomach was in knots. Yes, I was hurt by the things Allie had said, but I couldalso admit there was some truth in them. The lighthadgone out of me. But lately, I’d felt some of that spark again.
Still, Allie and I needed to have a conversation about boundaries. She needed to stop trying to impose her timeline on me—either for my grief or how she thought I should handle my relationship with Frasier. But her destination wedding was neither the time nor the place to cause extra stress. I also worried that telling Allie I’d lied about my relationship with Frasier would cause drama. The only way to avoid that—at least as I currently saw it—was to keep my mouth shut. Both about my hurt feelings and my relationship with Frasier.
“Bryn!” Mom smiled, immediately coming over for a hug as I covered a yawn. “I’m so glad you made it. It sounds like you had a long day of travel.”
I nodded. “Sorry we missed breakfast.”
Mom leaned in, keeping her voice low. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to explain anything. And if you need a break from some of the events, we get it.”
“Thanks, Mom. But I’m good.” I didn’t want to make just my family believe it;Iwanted to believe it too.
Allie was next in line, and then I greeted each of the bridesmaids. I knew some of them better than others, and it was nice to catch up. A hotel employee offered me a beverage, and I sipped my flavored water as I waited for my name to be called. I tried not to let my nerves show as one by one the bridesmaids were called back, leaving just Mom, Allie, and me.
I covered a yawn, another one. “Ugh. Sorry.”
“Late night for you and Frasier in the beach bungalow?” Allie gave me a meaningful look.
The relaxing nature music was doing nothing to calm me. Especially when Mom’s eyes darted between us, and I could see the wheels turning.
“Something like that.” Though it wasn’t what Allie thought.
“Wait…” Mom frowned. “Are you and Frasier…”
Allie said nothing, but I could tell she was close to bursting from keeping the secret. I was tempted to shake my head and tell my mom we were just friends. But then I remembered how it had felt when Allie had said the light had gone out of me. How relieved she’d sounded when I’d told her I was dating Frasier. I saw the hopeful look on Mom’s face, and I found myself saying, “Yes.”
Allie let out a little squeal, and Mom broke into a huge smile. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”
I fiddled with the tie on my robe then took another sip of my hibiscus-infused water. I hated lying to my family, but I wasn’t going to go back on it now. Especially not when they seemed so happy.
“Does this mean we can finally talk about it?” Allie asked.
“Wait.” Mom turned to my sister. “You knew?” And then she whipped her attention to me. “How long has this been going on? And why weren’t we talking about it?”
“It’s still new,” I said, sticking with my story. “And I wasn’t sure what people would think about the fact that he and Derek were so close. So we haven’t been telling many people.”
“All I care,” Mom said, holding my gaze, “is whatyouthink about it.”
“Thanks,” I said, just as Mom was called back for her facial. “Frasier makes me happy.”
That was true, at least. Though, things had been…different between us since we’d arrived in Anguilla. Actually, before that, even. The signed copy of the new release came to mind. Followed by the almost-kiss.
Then there’d been our pillow fight last night after we’d argued over who was taking the couch. The assertive way Frasier had taken charge—picking me up and tossing me on the bed. Our push and pull. His body hovering over mine. His…
“What are you thinking about?” Allie poked me. Mom was gone, and when I looked at Allie, she was wearing a knowing smile.
“Nothing,” I answered quickly. Too quickly.
She poked me again. “Are you blushing?” she teased.
“Oh my god,” I whispered, glancing around. “Would you cut it out?”
