Page 259 of The Romance Adventure

Ryan laughs and plants his arm on my back, leading us off the beach. We’re both quiet as we return the way we came, driving toward Coco Key.

It’s like we don’t want to burst the happy little bubble of bliss that a newly engaged couple would be basking in. Or we don’t want to discuss what this means. I’m not sure which.

News travels the speed of a category five hurricane via the Coconut Wireless, and soon, both our phones erupt in a frenzy of beeps and rings.

“That was fast. One of the fans must’ve already posted it. Before long, the entire world will know that Ryan McGregor is officially off the market,” he says.

“Again.” I just realized the flaw in my plan.

“What do you mean again?” Ryan asks.

“You were off the market after you got engaged to Jayda.”

“Oh, right,” he says as if that didn’t have any effect on his status.

“Did it help thwart the fans?”

“I wasn’t thinking about it then,” he says vaguely. “I guess because it wasn’t real.”

And there’s my answer. The happy bubble pops and I land hard on the ground with the reminder that this is fake, fake, fake.

I browse the messages on my phone. “My family already knows.” I exhale and close my eyes. “My dad.”

“Never mind the world. What about Brando?”

“Bring me home,” I blurt, hoping Heather or Harper explained to my dad that this was staged. That Ryan and I are not actually engaged. He’s going to be disappointed. Talk about romantic-plicated.

“What? No. Anywhere but there.” Ryan slows the SUV.

“I have to deliver the doughnuts and stuff.”

“And stuff? Like watching me walk the plank?”

“Ryan, we’re adults. You’re like twice the size of my cousin and we can explain to him that this is fake.”

“That’s the problem,” Ryan says.

“Yeah. A big problem. Please just bring me home.”

Ryan pulls into the sandy lot in front of Uncle Eddie’s house. Two kids streak by, heading toward the beach. Harper appears on the porch with Luke in her arms.

Heather waves from the upstairs window and then points at her ring finger. I lift the box of doughnuts.

“We brought treats for everyone.” I trade the pastry box for my baby boy, instantly feeling a little more grounded.

“And news.” Brando leans against the porch rail, arms crossed.

“Hey, Brand-bro,” Ryan says as if everything is normal.

“Hey,” my cousin says in a low tone. “We have to talk.”

“No, you don’t. I can explain. As a former PR specialist, I offered to help Ryan out⁠—”

Ryan glances at my father to his left and his best friend to his right. “No, we have to talk. Mr. Owens, Brandon.” He tips his head toward the garage and they all march in that direction. Even Uncle Eddie joins them.

My sisters flock toward me and ask a dozen questions before I’m able to explain what just happened. “Remember the game? We just upped the ante.”

“You upped something because I was afraid those four were going to come back with black eyes and split lips. Instead, they’re smiling like old bros,” Harper points.