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Colton scrambled to climb out before more people could photograph him. “Remi,” he said, taking a step toward her and wiping at his now soaked shirt. “What are you doing here?”
He was so shocked to see her that he couldn’t help but stare. Remi had been his best friend through all his awkward school years. They’d met in seventh grade, being forced to sit next to each other in physical science class, and they’d quickly become good friends. She was the best Final Fantasy player he knew. He’d shared everything with her. Told her things he’d never told anyone. And she was standing right in front of him, dripping wet.
“I…uh…honeymoon.” Remi’s gaze shifted around the lobby, landing on everything but him.
Wait, what? Did she just say honeymoon? “You’re married?” He couldn’t believe it. Remi had been like a little sister to him. How could she be married and he not even know?
Remi shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. “No. It fell through.”
At that moment Remi’s older sister came around the fountain and his heart jumped. Brooke. Someone must have opened the lobby doors because a breeze blew and Brooke’s hair fanned out like she was doing a shampoo commercial. She looked like a goddess, but Brooke had always looked like that. And, of course, his mouth went dry and his hands began to sweat. You’d think he’d be over his stupid crush on her, but apparently not. “Hey,” he said, nodding, trying to act cool, which was hard to do when he looked like he’d taken a dip in the pool with his clothes on. He quickly ran a hand through his hair and then shook off the drops of water from his fingers. Nice.
Brooke’s eyes widened. “Colton? Colton Drake? Oh my gosh, how long has it been?”
“Five years,” Colton said, even though he was pretty sure it was rhetorical question. Why did he always turn into a bumbling idiot around Brooke? He should be over that by now. He was an actor. He’d been in major Hollywood films. Why couldn’t he act cool around her?
“I see you found Remi.” Brooke nudged her sister, and Remi stumbled into him again.
He caught her and set her upright. “Yes.”
Brooke squinted at him as if she were just now really looking at him. “Why are you guys…wet? What happened?”
“An unfortunate fountain accident,” Remi muttered.
Colton hid a laugh. That was so like Remi. She was always getting them into trouble.
“Oh.” A frown flashed onto Brooke’s face, but left just as quickly. “Well, we should totally do something tonight. Catch up.” She gave him a bright smile.
The thought of catching up with Remi, and possibly getting to spend time with Brooke, lightened his spirits. “We should. We could go get something to eat, and then…” His voice trailed off as he spied Liz making her way toward him.
Oh. Liz. The fake relationship. The reason he was at the resort in the first place. His good mood came to a halt like the screeching of tires on asphalt. He couldn’t go out with Brooke and Remi. He was in a fake relationship nightmare.
Liz smiled and sidled up to him, taking his arm. “Hey, I was wondering what was taking you so long. Who’s this?”
Colton motioned. “Liz, this is Remi and her sister, Brooke. We all went to school together years ago.”
“Oh, wow.” Liz reached out and shook their hands. “Nice to meet you.” She gave him a funny look. “Did you have a water fight?”
“Slight accident,” he said, hiding a smile.
“Oh.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Your father wanted me to get you. He said it’s urgent we talk.” Her lips formed into an apologetic frown.
“I’m sorry. Looks like duty calls.” He snaked his arm around Liz, in case there were still cameras on him. “Maybe we can find some time to get together later.”
He hoped it would happen. Seeing Remi again made him want to talk to her. It had been forever. He suddenly missed her. And maybe this time he’d have enough courage to see if there was any chance of something happening between him and Brooke. Sure, in high school it had been awkward. She was two years older than him. It wasn’t socially acceptable. He got that. But now it wouldn’t be such a big deal. Right?
The only problem was his father and this ridiculous fake relationship with Liz.
CHAPTER3
Heat crept up Remi’s neck as she stood rooted to her spot watching Colton walk away, his arm around Liz Adams. He had a girlfriend. Not only a girlfriend, a gorgeous and totally famous girlfriend. She wanted to turn invisible and die. Or just die. That would suffice.
Water dripped down her forehead and she involuntarily shivered.
Brooke turned to her. “What happened? A fountain accident? I leave you alone for two seconds…”
Remi hid her face from her sister. “I dropped my purse in the fountain. Then fell in…grabbing Colton on the way…”
Brooke’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Remi.” But the squeak in her voice betrayed her.
