Page 81 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

“You’re all deviants, okay?” Dex says, closing the topic. He massages his temples like he can’t stand to hear us bicker anymore.

Mom changes the subject for him. “To answer your earlier question, we’re excited to meet Chef Gordon.”

“It’s all about Chef Georgiana, Grandma,” Dex says, correcting her.

“Kid, I’d do her in a heartbeat too,” Mom says.

After Dex finishes his tacos, he perks up. Maybe he just needed some food.

As we sit poolside, he shares his exciting plans for the evening. Surprisingly, Roman and Sophia agreed to let him leave the rehearsal party early to attend the VIP event.

Maybe Sophia sees how much it means to him. Maybe Roman doesn’t want to be bash ’n’ splashed again. Either way, I’m happy Dex is venturing out of his comfort zone, making friends and enjoying himself. I guess we’re both trying new things.

I make Dex promise to check in with me before he leaves the wedding party tonight. Then Nathan and I part ways with everyone.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I whine as we hike to the ballroom on the other side of the hotel’s complex.

“Even though you say you don’t like Sophia, I know you do,” Nathan says.

I grumble under my breath.

Unfortunately, I do have some warm and fuzzy thoughts about her I haven’t sorted yet. Over this crazy week, I’ve somehow bonded with her.

I stop to face Nathan as we stand outside the banquet doors. The faint sound of music plays behind them.

He places a sweet kiss on my lips. “Would you rather ditch the wedding and fly to Australia?”

I brighten. “Is that an option?”

“Let’s go pack our things.” He grabs my hand and tugs, but I stay rooted in my bamboo wedges.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, and I groan.

“I can’t go.”

“But have you ever had sex on a surfboard while riding the waves in Byron Bay? How about on a sandbar? Beside a waterfall?”

I laugh. “No, I mean, as enticing and terrifying as those sound, I think I want to be here for Sophia.” I pause to choke out the next truth bomb. “She. Needs. Me.” I make a disgusted face.

He examines me like I’m the one who’s caught malaria.

“Damn it. You’re right. I do like her. I don’t even know how it happened. That little hussy.” I stomp in a circle, releasing a dramatic sigh.

Who’s the moody teenager now?

“As your ethical life coach, I’d like to point out that you’ve come a long way.”

He raises his palm for a high five but quickly drops it when I give him the evil eye.

“As your unethical life coach, I ask, have you ever seen a wallaby? Would you like to?”

I laugh. My flirty Nathan is back.

Before I have a chance to answer, the door opens and bumps into us. We move aside as a woman pops her head out.

“Sorry, are you okay? I didn’t see you back there,” she asks with concern.

“All good.” Nathan helps her open the double doors.