Page 39 of The Other Plan

“What’s going on?” Aunt Tilly asked. “Is everything okay, Jenna?”

Before I could answer, Carter did. “I’m afraid Jenna and Evan broke up last night,” he said on a sigh.

A round of gasps filled the restaurant—my own included.

“Oh, no!” Valentina’s hands flew to her mouth. “After we went to bed? What happened?”

I struggled to breathe, much less speak. But I didn’t need to because Carter jumped right in again.

“Yes. Right after, in fact.”

“That’s awful! Is there any way you two can work it out?” she asked as she squeezed a shocked-looking Eric’s hand.

Carter gave me no time to answer. “Unfortunately not. It was quite a fight, and it’s over for good. Right, Jenna?”

Even though I didn’t want to, I slowly nodded my head.

“Oh, Jenna. We’re so sorry to hear that,” Eric said, but his voice lacked the same sincerity as Valentina’s, and I saw the look he gave Carter.

Carter answered with the same lack of conviction, “Yes, it’s terribly sad, though it’s for the best. But that does mean our poor Jenna here could use a day to relax and recover. And I think a little quiet time on the water would be just the thing to help heal your broken heart. Isn’t that right, Jenna?”

I couldn’t see my own face to determine what shade of color it must have been. Pink? Red? White? Or from the way I’d stopped breathing, perhaps blue.

“Damn straight,” Cameron jumped in. “When she told me about the breakup this morning, I said just that to her. ‘Take the day off and go do something fun.’ Carter is right. A day on the water with him is just what you need.”

I slid my gaze toward my assistant, the promises of his punishment flickering in my narrowing eyes. Cameron didn’t shrink back though, only reaching out and rubbing my back to seal the effect of sympathy even more. He knew damn well what Carter was up to, and instead of helping me get out of it, he’d gone and tossed me right to the wolves.

And from the look in his eyes as he stared back at me, he enjoyed every second of watching me get devoured.

Aunt Tilly clutched her chest. “Such a tragedy. I know how much you cared for him, but you’re a beautiful, talented woman, and you’ll find just the right man for you when the time is right. Carter and Cameron are right, though. You absolutely can’t work today, you poor dear. I insist.”

I’d already been mortified at myself that I’d made up a boyfriend. Now I was even more mortified having my “breakup” announced to the entire Bronson family.

Knowing the words “I insist” from Aunt Tilly ended any and all arguments, I gave up without a fight. “Wow. Um, thanks,” I muttered. “I guess I’ll take the day off.”

“And go do that paddling thing with Carter. Spending the day with him is exactly what you need,” Lydia said, and I saw the slight smirk and the way her eyes darted between Carter and me. I hadn’t even been broken up with my fake boyfriend for ten seconds, and already she was like cupid with a laser sight and a sniper rifle.

“That sounds great,” I said, shoulders sagging.

Carter briefly pressed his hand to my leg, and the simple touch ignited every nerve in my body.

“Great!” he said as he released my thigh. “I have a rental car, so why don’t I come pick you up?”

“I’ll text you her address,” Cameron answered quickly. “Oh! You should do a sunset paddle. Pick her up around three, and by the time you’re done paddling, it will be just the perfect time to catch one of our famous Door County sunsets.”

The look I passed to Cameron could have incinerated him. I had no idea how I’d been so betrayed by everyone I loved in this world, but at this point, I didn’t even try to fight it.

“Sounds great,” I said on a sigh.

Carter’s bright white grin lit up the room. “Fantastic. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

Fantastic. Not the word I would have used to describe spending a romantic afternoon alone on the water with the man I was already struggling to resist.

Son of a bitch.

***

Twelve more missed calls to Jo, six scathing voicemails, and she still hadn’t answered and confirmed that she’d leaked the truth about my fake relationship.