He turns to me, his grin infectious. “Come on, admit it. We’re a great team.”
“We’re decent,” I reply, though my smirk gives me away.
Back at the lounge area, I grab a bottle of water, trying to cool off after the game. Chloe appears beside me, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.
“So,” she starts, her voice casual. “I saw you getting cozy with Zach out there.”
I choke on my water, quickly wiping my mouth. “What? No, we weren’t cozy.”
Chloe raises an eyebrow. “Really? Because from where I was standing, it looked like a lot more than friendly banter.”
I glance around, making sure Zach isn’t nearby, before leaning in closer. “Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to tell anyone.”
Her eyes light up. “Spill.”
I hesitate for a moment, but there’s no avoiding it now. “Zach and I are… fake dating.”
Chloe’s jaw drops, and then she bursts out laughing. “Fake dating? Are you serious?”
“Shh!” I hiss, glancing around again. “Yes. It’s just… temporary. He’s helping me get through your wedding without looking like a sad, dateless maid of honor, and I’m helping him survive his family reunion.”
Chloe crosses her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Let me get this straight. First, you have a one-night stand with him, and now you’re fake dating? Lainey, this is gold.”
I groan. “It’s not like that.”
“Oh, sure it’s not,” she teases. “Are you sure you’re not secretly in love with him?”
“Not funny,” I snap, though my cheeks burn.
Chloe bites back another laugh. “Alright, fine. I’ll keep your secret. But seriously, what about all those dates you’ve been on?”
I sigh, leaning against the counter. “They didn’t go well. And honestly, with the wedding, your bridal shower, and the bachelorette party, I just don’t have time to deal with it anymore. This was… easier.”
Chloe’s smirk softens into something more understanding. “Alright. But you know this is a disaster waiting to happen, right?”
“What could possibly go wrong?” I reply, though the words feel a little too optimistic as they leave my mouth.
Before Chloe can respond, Wyatt appears, his phone in hand. “Ready to go? Jasper’s waiting for us.”
“Yeah, let’s head out,” Chloe says, giving me one last pointed look before following Wyatt toward the exit.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. But before I can fully regroup, a familiar voice murmurs behind me, “Hey, baby.”
I jump, spinning around to find Zach standing there, his grin entirely too smug.
“Don’t do that!” I hiss, pressing a hand to my chest.
“What? Can’t help it if I missed you already,” he says, his tone dripping with mock sincerity.
I narrow my eyes at him, but the blush creeping up my neck betrays me.
“Ready for round two?” he asks, his grin widening as he gestures toward the parking lot.
Before I can respond, Zach steps closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “I’m going to make you question every rule in that contract.”
And just like that, I know I’m in trouble.
Chapter 9
