Carina rolls her eyes. “I didn’t peg her for your type. She’s a bit of a lush, isn’t she?”
“Not at all. We’re on vacation. We’re having fun.”
Carina looks taken aback. “Oh wow, ok. You know how to have fun now?”
I sigh. I’m over this conversation, but she isn’t done yet.
“I know you’re a mute in the group chat, but you could have said you were bringing someone with you.”
“It was last-minute. But what difference does it make?”
A beat of silence stretches between us before she forces a smile that looks damn near sinister.
“None.”
Then she pats my chest with her hand. “Don’t forget the welcome dinner is tomorrow night at seven. I’ll save your lap and add a chair for your boo.”
Carina studies me one last time before she turns and walks away. And I drop my head, grateful that there is nothing lingering in my heart for her.
Nothing at all.
11
fucking odds
MARLEY
My bubbleof happiness I’d been floating in all day bursts sooner than I’d expected. I usually give guys about a week or two to start showing their ass, but Othello showed his true colors in less than 24 hours.
Great pretenders.
“Hi, ma’am. Are you checking in with us tonight?”
The question barely registers. I am still too flustered, disappointed, andso damntired, emotionally more than anything else. My mind replays the past several hours over and over again. Each second sharpens the sting that, yes, everything had been too good to be true.
What the hell?
Had I really allowed myself to be pulled into someone else’s mess again? Othello’s convenient distraction. His plaything to make his ex jealous?
“Um, I’m sorry,” I murmur when I realize I’ve been standing silent and lost in my thoughts.
The man gives me a patient smile. His name tag reads Kenzo.
“Yes, I’m checking in. I’m Marley Jacobs.”
“Awesome! Welcome to Grand Palms Resort, Ms. Jacobs. May I see a photo ID and the credit card on file?”
“Yes.” I hand my cards to Kenzo and push a stray curl from my face, pinching my eyes shut as I try to stop the reel of the day's events from playing in my mind.
Unbelievable.
I can’t believe how fast I’d gotten caught up in Othello’s act and how I didn’t notice said act playing out. I’ve been here before. This same damn story. Mistaking attention for intention. Trey all over again. Was Othello stringing me along for this moment? And what the hell is wrong with me agreeing to play along? I’m going to put a stop to this tonight. I won’t be used in his little game.
Kenzo’s hands move rapidly over his keyboard before he glances up at me. “I see you’re here for a week. Was your travel smooth?”
“Yes, it was.”
Smooth with lies.
