Page 75 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

After debating with myself the entire day, I finally decided to pretend that nothing had happened, and to treat him with cool indifference. Ignoring him would be the preferred solution, but we were heading into a weekend with Rob, Jacqui, and Godknows how many GPG employees, so that option was obviously out.

When I arrived at the airport, it was close to 9:00P.M.The resort was on a small island an hour away, and Alec and I were booked on the last flight of the day. Rob, Jacqui, and the others had flown out earlier. Carmel texted to say she’d already checked us in, reserving his seat and mine next to each other.

I’d taken an Uber to the airport, so I didn’t see him until it was time to board the flight, which was practically empty. Pretending not to see Alec, I went to find a vacant seat as far away from him as possible. Sure, it wasn’t very adult-like, but I had no intention of sitting next to him, while trying to suppress my murderous urge the whole trip, because it could end horribly—with me strangling him using my bare hands.

The island’s tiny airport was deserted when we landed. There was only one available taxi when we exited the building, so I had no choice but to share it with Alec. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere but stuck in the same car with me, probably because I’d been shooting down all his attempts at making conversation. The air inside the Toyota minivan was colder than a tundra, thanks to my curt nods and one-word answers.

It was almost 11:00P.M.when we finally arrived. The Pacific Palms was a five-star resort by the sea, ten minutes from the airport. Two majestic palm trees stood on either side of the main entrance, curving to form a welcoming arch. Bright lights illuminated the lobby, and I could hear gentle sounds of ocean waves lapping against the sand from a distance. A resort staff wearing a bright-blue shirt printed with colorful frangipanis ushered us into the foyer and took care of our luggage. I thanked him, then slumped into one of the comfortable sofas as Alec checked us in. My eyes started to drift closed, only for me to be softly shaken awake a few minutes later.

“There’s a problem.” Alec’s eyes were unreadable, his tone flat. “No twin rooms available. We got a room with a queen bed.”

A queen bed.Frustration clawed at my spine, but I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. “They don’t have any other rooms?”

“They’re fully booked.”

My heart rate picked up speed. “Does it have a sofa bed?”

“Not according to the manager who checked me in.”

He handed me a key card, and I grew quiet as we followed the concierge, who led us on a darkened garden path toward our room. My nerve endings were on high alert, because not only was I spending the next two nights sharing the same secluded room with him, but also the same definitely-won’t-be-big-enough queen-size bed.

Surviving the weekend wasn’t just impossible; it would be a miracle.

Our room was a boutique-style villa, one of the many individual huts dotting the property. After thanking and tipping the concierge, Alec slid his key card into the slot and pushed the door open. The luxuriously furnished room was bathed in warm, neutral colors. A spacious bathroom occupied the right side, and two comfortable armchairs flanked the transparent sliding door at the far end.

And in the middle of the room: one comfortable, heavenly-looking queen-size bed. With plush pillows, luxurious, satiny-looking bedsheets, and a pale beige comforter.

Not a sofa in sight.

My heart dropped to my shoes.

Alec’s phone trilled. Sighing, he strolled toward the sliding door, stepping out to take the call. An automatic light switched on, and I could see an inviting patio with brown deck chairs, direct access to the sandy beach, and a spectacular view of themoonlit ocean. The amazing scenery did nothing to help the churning in my stomach as reality sank in. I was stuck in a beautiful, romantic resort for the next two days with him, sharing a room and a bed, while playing the role of his loving girlfriend.

I should really get an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony for my performance this weekend. At the very least, a nomination for Best Actress. Maybe I could even try to write a soundtrack about this trip and hope to be nominated for a Grammy.

Alec was still outside on his phone. If he wasn’t taking phone calls from his potential girlfriend, then who’d be calling him this late at night? Maybe he’d lied about not being interested in anyone else? Maybe there reallywasanother woman, and somehow things didn’t work out, and now she was calling because she wanted a second chance? Perhaps that was why he ended things last night?

I shushed my neurotic thoughts as the patio door slid open.

Alec stepped in, frown lines pulling his forehead down. He saw me contemplating the bed, so he cleared his throat and gestured to the armchairs. “I can sleep there.”

The two fat, fluffy armchairs would be heavenly to lounge in, but they weren’t built for sleeping. He’d wake up in the morning with his body stiff and screaming curses.

Although… after last night? He totally deserved that, and so much worse.He’s lucky we’re not kicking him out to sleep on the patio, my brain argued.

But my mouth had a mind of its own.

“The bed is big enough to fit both of us.” My eyes twitched, because even as I said those words, my brain was hastily sending instructions toSTOP TALKING RIGHT NOW!

My common sense, along with my dignity, had clearly gone for a dip in the ocean and would not be returning for the rest of my life.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He wasn’t meeting my eyes.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I only offered because it wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep in a chair.” I hoped my raised chin conveyed disgust and indignation. Walking over to the bed, I reached for a pillow and plonked it in the middle. “That’s your side. This is mine. We’re both adults, so we can co-sleep on the same bed peacefully.”

He eyed the bed with trepidation. “We can?”

“Absolutely.” I ignored my wildly thumping heart and nodded a couple of times, more to convince myself. “But one snore out of you, and you’re banished to the floor.”

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