Page 82 of Bumping into You

The manicurists and pedicurists meticulously shape, buff, and paint our nails to perfection. Laughter and lively chatter fill the air as Mom and Mrs. Palmer go on and on about how they knew one day Holly and Greg would be together.

“Well, I wish you would have told me,” says Holly. “It could have saved me years of trouble.”

Mrs. Palmer laughs too. “Yes, but honey, if I did, would you have listened?”

Margot and I both chuckle at that. “No,” we answer in unison.

“Hey!” says Holly with a laugh.

“Well,” says Vivian, “you never did listen to me about him liking you.”

“I guess that’s true,” says Holly.

“It all worked out in the end though,” says Mom with a nod.

Between treatments, we lounge in plush robes in the most comfortable chairs imaginable. Our view is breathtaking as the spa overlooks the bow; we see panoramic views of endless ocean in front of us. The natural beauty is a perfect backdrop to our spa day.

“I could just fall asleep here,” says Gillian.

“Same,” I agree.

Lunch is catered to us, and we dine on a buffet of delicious gourmet food. This is perfect.

Chapter 36

Niall

Greg hasn’t said a word to me since he caught Gwen and I kissing. I’m relieved to know the girls are on Gwen’s side and not giving her a hard time, but the unease between Greg and me is making my nerves shot.

Grabbing a couple beers, we head over to the billiards table. I thought playing basketball would release some of the tension Greg feels toward me, but from the way Greg is looking at me, it clearly hasn’t done the trick.

Greg’s and Holly’s dads sit over at the bar watching one of the games on the television. I look over at Greg, and he’s throwing daggers at me with his eyes.

“Please just say what you need to. This silent glaring is killing me, mate,” I say.

“Don’t give me that ‘mate’ crap, man,” he says angrily, roughly applying the chalk to the cue tip. “I saw you kiss Gwen. We all did.” He points to himself, Trent, and Miles.

Trent and Miles both snap their eyes between Greg and me.Shit’s about to hit the fan, mates.

Gwen and I had been so careful, but then I had to let my emotions overcome my common sense.

“You mean at the escape room?” I ask, trying to make light of things but then quickly realizing my mistake. I don’t even know why that came out of my mouth. Clearly, he saw us this morning. Everyone did, and now I’ve alluded to more.Why can’t a black hole just open up on the floor and swallow me whole?

“Of course at the escape room!” Then, Greg’s eyes grow wide. “What is that supposed to mean? Have you kissed her before then?” He sets the chalk and stick down and leans his arms on the side of the table, quiet and breathing slowly, clearly trying to reign in his temper.

“Dude,” says Trent, shaking his head at my daftness.Yeah, I definitely put my foot in my mouth. Thank you, Trent, for noticing.

“Well, alright then, this day just got a little more interesting,” says Miles before taking a sip of his beer.

Breathing in deeply, Greg raises his head and looks me square in the eyes. “What part about ‘not too friendly because she is my little sister’ did you not understand?”

I sigh, rubbing my hand over my face. How do I even explain this without giving away the fake-dating agreement I made with Gwen?

“Look—” I start.

“Don’t,” interrupts Greg.

“Dude,” Trent says, patting Greg on the back, “let the man explain. This is Sully, remember?”

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