Page 59 of Faking With You

“So Everett was ready for everyone to know Chloe’s his,” Zoey says with a laugh.

“I still swear he was going to punch Grayson at Christmas when we met them at the bar. The man was seeing red when Grayson hugged her,” Hannah says.

“As if Grayson wouldn’t have done the same thing with you, Hannah. I believe he did when he was the one that outed you had gotten married in Vegas all because Luke was flirting with you,” Eliza says.

I had heard through the grapevine and locker room talk that Grayson had just dropped that information in the middle of a group dinner, but I hadn’t heard it was because another one of our teammates was flirting with her.

“Matt showed up to one of Zoey’s dates with a baby strapped to his chest because he was jealous,” Hannah retorts.

“Caleb moved BaileyandCharlie into his place after only a few dates,” Zoey says.

“Are you guys having a pissing contest about which man did the most insane thing because they were in love?” Liv asks.

The girls exchange looks before nodding, and Hannah says, “Basically,” and they all fall into fits of laughter.

“Don’t get me wrong, I have zero complaints now,” Hannah says, taking Grayson’s hand. “We ended up right where we’re supposed to be.

Zoey looks at Matt and says, “Same,” followed by Bailey looking at Caleb the same way.

“Don’t think you get off the hook, either, Josh. You agreed to a secret relationship and summer checklist all to be able to be with Liv,” Zoey says.

“And I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” Josh says, looking down at his wife.

Hearing all these stories has me making a decision that’s either going to bite me in the ass or end up being the best decision I’ve ever made.

CHAPTER 44

Mac

Ispend the week putting my decision into action, making all the necessary plans while wrapping some things up at the office, knowing my father will have a whole list of new things to do the second we land in London. By the time the day of our flight rolls around, I’m ready for a vacation. Hopefully a trip that includes Eliza and me and no one around for kilometres.

This flight isn’t as awkward as the last one was. We brought cards to play and we both have our books, but this time instead of Eliza leaning towards the window, she leans into me, and I wrap an arm around her. She falls asleep, and I take her Kindle from her hand and tuck it into the seat pocket and pull her blanket higher. I close my own book and watch her. I want to be able to watch Eliza for the rest of my life. To see her smile and laugh and to be the place she seeks comfort when she needs it. I want to be her safe place where she feels like she can fall asleep and know everything’s going to be all right.

When we land, we head straight to the flat. I told my father we weren’t arriving until Thursday, two days before the gala, soI’d be able to spend an entire day with Eliza before the craziness. We drop our bags, and Eliza says, “I need a shower.”

“Is that an invitation or an announcement?”

“It’s whatever you want it to be,” she says as she pulls her shirt over her head and drops it to the floor before turning to the bathroom, and I’m hot on her heels. I don’t know how long we’re in the shower for, but my fingers and toes have started to prune when we finally get out and I wrap Eliza in a warm towel. I pinch her chin between my thumb and index finger, needing to kiss her again.

“What are we doing tomorrow?” I ask.

“Don’t you have work?”

I wrap my arms around her and pull her flush to my body, kissing the tip of her nose. “No, I told my father we wouldn’t be in until Thursday, so we have all day tomorrow, just you and me.”

Her smile is radiant, and she rises on her tiptoes, her lips finding mine again. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I find the backs of her thighs, picking her up. She breaks the kiss and runs her hand through my hair.

“You have the nicest eyes,” she says. “They’re so soft and warm.”

I smile at her. “Have you seen yours? They sparkle, especially when you’re happy.”

“I love your smile. I hadn’t seen it until we spent time alone together, and I’m glad you’re smiling more now.”

“Your laugh is like pure happiness. I don’t know how anyone can be sad when they hear it.”

She dusts her lips over mine softly, and I let her. She does it again before she’s kissing me. I think I know what she’s trying to say with it. I hope I know, because if I'm right, then we’re on the same page.

I kiss her back and make my way to the bedroom, falling onto the bed with her. I don’t let go of her, holding her close. We eventually slip into bed and stare at each other, neither of us saying a word, just looking at the other. If I were to capture anything in a picture or painting, it would be this moment. The two of us just existing in each other's presence, nothing else needed. When she yawns, I pull her closer and she rests her head on my chest, and I run my fingers through her hair.