Page 27 of Hawaii Can Suck It

She doesn’t say anything, just stares at me, her face unreadable. I start sweating.

And then—

“I’ll do it, Gordon.”

Wait, what?

“Excellent! G-Thorne wants ALL the clickbait! We need thumbnail gold… something that’ll grab attention… Like: Hawaii Love Affair with My Boss. Who Seduced Who?!”

“I Fell for My Grumpy Boss in Paradise!” Cam adds.

I glare at her. “Don’t encourage him.”

“The Moment We Knew We Were Soulmates (SHOCKING CONFESSION)? Accidentally in Love: The Truth About Us! OR—ooh, okay—10 Signs I’m in Love with My Best Friend—”

“We’re not best friends,” I cut in.

“Okay, okay, scratch that one,” Gordon says. “But Falling for My Boss? That one has legs. Let’s one-up Astrid using her own tricks. I want hand-holding, sunset walks, some waterfall action—”

“I haven’t agreed to any of this,” I say quickly.

“Oh, and one more thing…” Gordon’s tone shifts to dead serious. “No sleeping around, either of you. I can’t have some random person posting a TikTok of you getting down with resort staff. I’m already juggling more bad press than a Kardashian crisis manager.”

Cam’s mouth drops open. “Hold up. You’re saying I have to gotwo weekswithout… you know.”

“Correct,” Gordon replies cheerfully. “Small price to pay for $25,000.”

I snort. “This is what gives you pause?Thisis your dealbreaker?”

“Your concern is truly heartwarming.” She rolls her eyes, muttering in Spanish.

“So that’s it, Gordon?” I throw up my hands. “No plan B? This is your only idea?”

She spins on me, eyes blazing. “Seriously? I’m trying to help you out here, ya know. But please, continue acting like fake dating me is a fate worse than death.”

“Please. You’re not helping me. You’re doing this for a payday like everybody else.”

Her expression crumples, and I instantly regret my words, wishing I could shove them back into my big, fat mouth.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Let me grab that door for you, boss. Or should I sayboyfriend.“ Cam’s extra emphasis on the last word is as sharp as her glare.

My brain is spiraling. This is all wrong. I was making rules to keep us apart, not signing up for a two-week couple’s cosplay. Why does this day keep finding new ways to torture me?

Cam opens the door, and naturally, it’s fucking Kai.

“Aloha, beautiful soul! I almost forgot to give you this welcome swag bag.” He hands the gift to her, his massive fingers lingering. “It’s brimming with sensual treats to awaken your spirit… and to inspire heated passionate moments.”

“Okay, well, gee thanks.”

Gordon’s still talking, something about engagement metrics and damage control, but I don’t hear a word of it. Because all my attention is locked on the scene unfolding in plain sight.

The Curator of Pleasure is very obviously flirting with Cam.

And of course he is.

She’s the hottest fucking girl at this entire resort.

---