“Yes, actually,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “I’ve heard.”
Collette’s head tilts, like a cute puppy, confused with their master's command. She studies me as if trying to pry my secrets and thoughts from my brain, then gives me side-eye that puts me on edge.
“How so? Are you here to spy on us?”
The breath I was holding releases in a nervous giggle. “No, no. Absolutely not. I-”
I pause briefly, hating what I’m about to do. Lie. And lie to a woman I look up to, of all people.
“I’m actually here with my boyfriend. Othello.” The deception slips out with a quick ease, and regret follows just as fast.
“The best man?”
“Yes. Othello,” I say as if she doesn’t already know who her daughter's ex-boyfriend is.
“Wow, isn’t this interesting? You know, I haven’t heard from Othello in a very long time. But I’m sure you know why. I’m surprised that he came, but I feel like I’m even more shocked that he brought a date,” she says amusingly.
“Why is that?” I ask.
We've nearly reached the building, the crash of the waves fading into the distance behind us.
“Not that I think the man would have a hard time finding someone, but he is a hard-to-catch kind of guy. Very guarded. Private. And the fact that he brought you here to an event like this says a lot.”
Her words send a ripple through me. In reality, Othello hadn’t chosen me, and he hadn’t brought me here either. But the adjectives she’d chosen to describe him all make sense. Because the world had no idea he was dating Carina Sterling. There wasn’t one photo of the two of them together on any trash media site or gossip magazine I’ve ever read.
A guy in black shorts and a black shirt approaches, his quiet, watchful presence leading me to assume he’s security. He takes Collette’s yoga mat, Christian Dior tote, and bottle of water. Then she casually retrieves a pair of sandals from the bag, using his beefy arm for balance as she steps into them.
“I suppose I’ll be seeing you tonight for the welcome dinner.”
What?
“Oh, yes,” I nod enthusiastically. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Shit.
Why didn’t it register that playing Othello’s girlfriend also meant attending wedding stuff?
“Perfect,” Collette says. “We can talk more aboutMod, then. It was so nice chatting with you, Marley Jacobs.”
“Likewise,” I tell her. “It was a pleasure meeting you!” I’m waving like mad as she walks away with her guard.
I feel like a goofy doofus.
I watch her and her bodyguard disappear into the resort as I stay behind, looking through my own bag for my sandals. I still can’t believe what just happened right here on this beach.
I met Collette Randolph.
And lied to her.
15
the inevitable
OTHELLO
No availability.Not until tomorrow.
The conversation at the front desk replays in my head as I make my way back to my suite. When I woke up, I headed downstairs to speak with Sabrina, the manager from the night before. I wanted to see if Marley’s room was finally ready. After everything that had gone wrong since she arrived, I figured getting her settled into her own space was the least I could do. She deserved at least one thing going according to plan. But unfortunately, the room is still not available. The guest occupying the room had extended their stay, and with the resort fully booked, there was nowhere else to move her.
