Page 42 of Miss Belief

Reid

My gaze was riveted on Teagan, who sat on the hotel couch taking the biggest bite known to man of her club sandwich. She then let out a groan that could provide the soundtrack for an erotic movie.

“God, this is delicious.”

As I sat in a chair across from her, I snapped myself out of my newest fascination, watching her eat, and took a bite of my own hamburger. “It is good.”

She approached food as she did everything else. Unapologetically. She didn’t whine about the calories in the fries or pick at the sandwich. She took a big ol’ bite and enjoyed the flavors, knowing she’d hit the gym extra hard the next time without any regrets. It was not only refreshing, but also sexy as hell.

“So what’s on the agenda tonight?” she asked in between bites.

“Cocktails for a welcome reception at five. After that, I guess we’ll figure out what to do on our own for dinner.” Oddly, I didn’t dread having to see Vanessa or my mother as much as I’d thought I would. It must be the effect of the woman sitting across from me, currently shoving fries into her mouth.

She wiped at some mayo on her chin. “Gives us a couple hours. I may take a dip in the bathtub that’s the size of my entire bathroom.”

“Knock yourself out. I’m going to unpack. You want me to unpack you too?”

“You’re unpacking your suitcase?”

“Let me guess. You’re one of those people who prefers to pick your stuff out of the suitcase.”

“Well, yeah. Although normally I only travel home to see my sister, so it’s nothing fancier than T-shirts and jeans. I’ll hang my stuff later.”

As soon as I heard the water shut off from the tub, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Imagining her getting into the bath was sheer, utter torment. If we were a real couple, I’d take her a glass of wine, or maybe she’d prefer a martini.

Teagan came out of the bathroom twenty minutes later, looking fresh and rosy from her bath. She was dressed in yoga pants and a T-shirt and appeared completely unaware of just how attractive she was. Some women spent hours putting on makeup, yet she was naturally gorgeous without.

“My turn for a shower.” I’d need a cold one at this rate.

Turned out the cold shower was only a temporary fix. Because ninety minutes later she came out of the bedroom looking absolutely gorgeous in her little black cocktail dress with her hair down, her makeup on, and a smile firmly in place.

Faking it had just gotten a lot more real.

* * *

We wereon our way to the cocktail party when we both spotted a tent off the terrace with a line leading up to it.

“What do you think it is?” Teagan whispered.

“Not sure, but let’s check it out.” It was clear there were other wedding guests in the line since they were dressed similarly to us.

After a quick question, we found out the line was for a psychic reading inside the tent.

“You game?” I asked her, curious about something I’d never explored.

“Are you?”

“Yeah, a psychic could be fun.”

“Mm.” She didn’t look convinced.

“You aren’t freaked out by it, are you?”

“To be honest, the supernatural, unexplained things like psychics, mediums, and magicians—it all gives me the creeps. I’m more of a lay-it-out-for-me kind of girl. I’m not big on surprises or smoke and mirrors.”

“Same, but live a little.” I wasn’t the type who believed in this kind of thing either, but if I was stepping out of my comfort zone and moving on from Vanessa, perhaps the psychic tent was a sign I should try something else that was new.

“Okay. Let’s see what crazy predictions she may have.”