Page 9 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

nathan

Step into the Shitastic Show

A woman yips so loudly that I instinctively turn to the noise. A very shapely and cute blonde who looks like a Bitcoin billionaire’s third wife tackles me before I leave the hotel’s beach shop.

“Oh my gosh!” She crushes me into a hug so tight, it knocks my new sunglasses off my face. “I can’t believe this. This is amazing!”

She picks up the glasses and hands them to me.

So much for going incognito.

I slip them into the pocket of my shirt. Internally, I sigh. Outwardly, I play along like I always do. With my growing fan base, it’s become a regular occurrence.

My agent tells me to get used to it. I hope she’s right. Because as things are, I’m bored and desperate for my career to slip into overdrive.

Offering the woman a megawatt smile, I say hello and wait for her cell phone to appear. If fans can’t plaster a selfie all over social media, it didn’t happen, right? I play a little shy and let my gaze fall to the floor in an aw-shucks response. The ladies typically eat it up.

“Do you think you and Jeanie could join us for dinner tomorrow night?” she asks.

My attention snaps back so fast, I might have whiplash later.

“Um, ah . . .” I stammer as I struggle to make sense of her question. “Who are you?”

“How stupid of me. I’m Sophia.” Blondie reaches out a hand, and I shake it.

“Totally like Jeanie not to tell you about me. She’s always been like that.” Sophia waves it off like it’s a typical snub between the two.

Oblivious to my confusion, she continues chattering about the details of her dinner. She asks my name and repeats her original question, which I have no idea how to answer.

Jeanie appears behind Sophia wearing the bathing suit I suggested, and it looks damn good. I’m distracted by the way the high-cut bottoms show off her lush hips before I realize she’s vigorously shaking her head. I interpret she wants me to decline Sophia’s invite, but I’m still stuck on why Sophia believes we’re a couple.

Did Jeanie make her think we’re dating? Why? Aren’t she and Roman still together? Based on what I’ve witnessed today, the answer I’m unexpectantly leaning toward is no.

Something inside me lights up. It appears an opportunity just presented itself.

I grin, thrilled at this prayers-answered turn of events. “Well, Jeanie.”

My gaze dances teasingly on hers. She never technically told me her name.

“I’d really love to join you and Sophia,” I say, sounding apologetic, then pause for effect. “But you know I have that job late tomorrow night.”

I give Jeanie a look like couples do when they forget something important. It says she should have remembered. That we talked about this. I shake my head in mock disappointment.

Jeanie’s brow pinches, but she finally takes the cue to play along. “You’re right, I totally forgot. Nathan has a job tomorrow night.” She nods too eagerly.

When Sophia looks away crestfallen, Jeanie exhales and mouths the words, Thank you.

Don’t thank me yet.

Smirking, I add, “But we could come for the first half.”

“What!” Jeanie yells, but then corrects herself. “I mean, honey-boo-uh-bear, don’t you need to prepare for your, ah, um, your presentation?”

Honey-boo-bear? Charmed, I laugh inside.

“Yes!” Sophia claps her hands with excitement. “Come for the first half, and Jeanie can stay for the second. I mean, that’s more of an all-girls bachelorette thingy anyway. You wouldn’t be missing much.”

Jeanie’s eye twitches at the mention of a bachelorette party. Her trembling lips slacken from a plastic smile. The poor thing looks like she wants to scream.