Page 33 of Scandalous Lover

Especially under the watchful eye of theguy who knows me best in the world. The guy who happens to be her overprotective big brother and my business partner.

I consider my options.

I can come clean and get out in front of the whole thing.

Terrible plan.

I can keep pretending what happened didn't happen and lie for the rest of my life.

Not my favorite, but better than the first.

I sigh as the most likely scenario occurs to me. I keep my mouth shut and lie to my friends, knowing Naomi could somehow let it slip that something happened between the two of us. Then everyone will know, and they’ll all know that I lied.

I can’t let that happen. But am I brave enough to choose plan number one and put myself right into the path of Dom’s wrath?

It’s the ultimate lose-lose situation. I’m dead either way.

Chapter Eleven

Naomi

Reina is the first person I see when I make my way down to the restaurant just before six. I’ve seen a few pictures of her on the resort socials, but this is the first time we’ve met.

Our family isn’t exactly the get together for holiday dinners type. Maybe we would be if my mom was around, but I never got the chance to find out.

“Naomi.” She approaches with a big smile that I can’t help but return.

Her big, blue eyes are glowing with happiness. Actual, genuine happiness. It’s almost refreshing after so many years of internet life, complete with its filters and posed smiles. This woman doesn’t need a filter at all, her strawberry blonde hair, tan, and freckled skin could be a filter itself. One that people would pay to use. Myself included.

“Good to finally meet you, Reina. I can’t believe it took almost four years.”

She pulls me into an embrace and holds me there for so long that I relax into it and start to really, truly hug her back.We breathe together for a moment, and I catch her scent. Some kind of flower. And cinnamon maybe. Everything about her is calming and reassuring, even the smell of her shampoo.

Maybe island life is what I need after all. It looks pretty good on Reina.

She pulls away and holds me at arm’s length, looking me over like a proud grandma or something. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too.” The words surprise me as they come out feeling very true. When I first got on that plane, I wouldn’t have described my mental state as happy, per se. But now? Far away from the bustling streets and self-imposed pressure to live a perfect, Instagram-worthy life? I may not actually be happy, but I am feeling happy.

Baby steps.

“Girl talk!” comes another cheerful voice from behind me. I turn, Reina’s hand still on my shoulder and smile at the newcomer.

I know exactly who this is. Franzeska, the feisty beauty who snagged Avery Covington.

Her face is all over the internet, both on her and Ave’s profiles and on the many celeb accounts that follow Avery and other rich, handsome men like him.

The first thing I notice about her is how comfortable she seems, just like Reina. She’s dressed simply in an emerald green tank dress that sets off her hazel eyes and long, dark hair. Those tousled beach waves look very…well, beachy. Perfect, but in that annoying way that you know damn well she didn’t have to spend the last hour working for.

Unlike mine, which have yet to meet the ocean here on Faraday. And which I spent the last damn hour perfecting.

I glance down at my own outfit, high waisted, belted linen shorts with a cream silk tank. Both items had to be steamedbefore I wore them tonight, after a long trip in my suitcase. I know neither of these women was at home steaming their outfits or curling their lashes before coming to dinner.

I’m feeling like a total bimbo. A fake. A fraud.

It’s the last thing I need before sitting down at a table with Sam.

I try to hide my apprehension behind a big smile. “You must be Franzeska,” I say as Reina lets me go and pulls the woman into the same hug she just gave me.

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