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“Even though it’s fake.”
She opens her eyes and looks at me with a huge grin. “I love it. It’s absolutely perfect. Everything I could have wanted, which is crazy since this isn’t even a real wedding. I mean, do you know how many weddings I’ve seen here? They’re all fairy tale status, and I know they aren’t cheap.”
I nod, but she’s still beaming at me.
“I never thought I’d be on this side of this whole thing. I can’t believe that I’m getting married.Here.”
I want to ask her if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. The getting married part. I’m still nervous about this whole thing. I’m happy that she’s enjoying this entire experience, but I want to know how she feels about the fact that I’m the man she’s going to marry.
“I’d never be able to afford this on my own,” she mentions again. “But the fact that we are doing this here is an actual dream. I’m so excited, Carter. I can’t wait to have this wedding and for everyone to finally get what they want.”
Everyone will get what they want. She’s right. Our parents will finally get to see their children marry and settle down. Mom will have fulfilled her desire of wanting to help with the wedding and being a part of it. Bruce and Florence will have a son-in-law that they are happy with, someone they approve of.
And Jada and I might not have exactly our independence quite the way we imagined it, but I’m glad that she’s someone I’m getting the chance to know. Not to mention, the way she smiles, the way she enjoys her life and her family is all important to me, too.
I look around the resort, and in the distance I can see various attractions and luxuries. I think about everything they offer here, and how much of it Jada has actually experienced. I mean, she’s a bartender, and there’s the spa, the swimming pool, the activities and more. For all I know, the only thing she’s really experienced besides the restaurants is the ocean to go swimming and maybe some of the different drinks at the bars.
What if we could do some of these things? I’ve never really experienced most of the resort either, and I’m curious about the different pools and the spa, the gym, sauna, everything. What if we stayed here after the wedding?
Immediately my mind starts conjuring up ideas. We could have our honeymoon here. I mean the resort already knows we’re getting married, and Jada working here means she’ll know all the best things to do, the best places to go.
She’s been on the worker side of things here for so long, that maybe she should take this break. A honeymoon where we get to experience all the parts of the resort we want, having great food, drinks, and staying in one of the incredible luxury suites? It all sounds so lavish, and I smile to myself.
“What are you thinking about?” Jada questions me, and I look over at her. I must have been quiet for a while without realizing it. “You having any second thoughts?”
I shake my head, moving closer to her to assure her. “Of course not. No, I’m just thinking about how this whole thing has been so great, so simple. I mean, our parents love that we’re together. They all see how happy we make one another, even if it’s not real. I was just thinking about how I’m glad you’re the one I’m fake marrying.”
Jada looks down at the ring I bought her, turning her hand so that the diamond sparkles from the light of the fire. I watch her, admiring the way she stares at the stone.
“I just don’t want you to regret choosing me. I think your mom is absolutely incredible. The love she has for you is immense. I’m glad we’re doing this so she gets to enjoy the one thing she’s looked forward to,” Jada says.
She turns towards me and leans her head on my shoulder, her eyes lingering back to the fire. “I want her to be happy, too, y’know? Her and my parents. They raised us right, and now they want us to be happy the way they are.”
“Carter, as insane as it sounds, this has been an amazing time. You’re truly a great guy, and I’m lucky that when I get married, you’ll be the one I am standing next to. I think that together we have what it takes to truly make everyone happy around us.”
I want to ask ifwewill be happy. In the end, when our relationship is over, when we’re back to being friends – or even strangers – will all of this feel like an absurd dream? Will I be able to speak to Jada as if we’re still as close as we are now?
“Promise me something?” I find myself asking her, though I think it’s a stupid thing to ask.
“What?” Jada’s face comes away from my shoulder, and she looks at me intensely, searching my eyes to find whatever it is she is looking for from me. “What should I promise?”
I let out a deep sigh. “When we finish our deal, when everything has been achieved, promise me we’ll still be friends? I like spending time with you, Jada. I know it’s all pretend but you’re truly an addition to my life that I never saw coming, and now I can’t imagine you out of it.”
I watch a tear begin to form in her eye, but she doesn’t say anything. She just nods, and she smiles tenderly.
20
JADA
The feeling of soft cotton sheets is the first thing I notice when I wake up and for a second I don’t know where I am. My sheets at home don’t feel this good, my bed definitely isn’t this big, and the light streaming through the windows usually comes from a different direction.
Then all of a sudden it hits me, and I almost squeal with delight – I’m in one of the resort’s luxury suites and today is my wedding day. It’s also the first day of a week-long fake honeymoon to go along with the fake wedding.
I jump out of bed, and I feel waves of nervous excitement running through me. Even though none of this is real, there’s still something thrilling about marrying Carter, and I go about my morning routine with a huge smile on my face.
Around ten o’clock, Raven and Heidi show up at my door. This time, there really is lots of squealing involved.
“Oh, hon, you’re going to be such a beautiful bride!” Heidi tells me as she pulls out the celebratory breakfast champagne.
