Page 29 of Searching for Sunshine

A girl with long blonde hair steps forward. “That’s me! I’m Mia. And oh my god, I was so excited when I came across your Instagram account and saw you had openings this weekend. We were supposed to go out of the country, but there was a last-minute issue with some of our passports so we had to pivot.”

“Welcome, Mia. And yes! I’m so sorry to hear that, but I’m so glad that y’all were able to join us. We’re here to help with anything you all may need during your stay. We have the basic itinerary that comes with the bachelorette package here but feel free to look over it and we can make any changes you’d like,” I tell her with a smile, holding out the itineraries Avery and I made yesterday.

“Wait, this is incredible. Pool party, boat day, and dinner on the beach at sunset? This is going to be so much fun!” she squeals, and the other bridesmaids crowd around to look at the list.

“We’re glad you’re excited. But like Stella said, if there’s anything you want us to change we’ll be happy to accommodate that. I also have cards here where you can mark any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Just let us know if there’s anything else we can do to make sure you all have the best stay possible,” Avery adds, handing Penelope and Mia a small stack of the cards we printed right before the girls showed up.

“Nope, I think all of this sounds perfect. You two really made the maid of honor job a hell of a lot easier,” Penelope teases.

“Wonderful, I’m glad we could help. As for your rooms, we upgraded the bride to our largest suite upstairs so you would have a sitting area if you want it, and we put the rest of you on either side,” I say, reaching down and grabbing the keys I sat aside earlier this morning. “Y’all are in rooms 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316. The suite is 312.”

“Perfect. Thank you both so much. You really thought of everything. I guess you’re are used to doing these though, huh?”

Avery and I make quick eye contact and I have to fight the urge to giggle. “Actually, it’s a long story, but we actually just took over the Hideaway earlier this month. You are our first bachelorette party, so please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable,” I say with a nervous smile.

“Oh my god, we’re your first? Y’all are absolutely killing it so far,” Penelope says, giving us a wide smile as she passes out the keys.

“You’re too kind,” I say, before addressing the rest of the group. “We’ll give you all time to get settled and unpacked, and the pool party will be set up for you whenever you’re ready. And Crestbrook Cove is pretty limited on food options for dinner but we can place an order from The Sand Bar nearby or y’all are obviously welcome to go out if you’d rather do that.”

“Honestly after spending the last few hours traveling, takeout by the pool sounds like a perfect way to end the day. Do you have menus?” Mia asks, and Avery nods, pulling out the paper menus she collected from Everett yesterday.

“Perfect! Okay, ladies, let’s get this party started!”

CHAPTER 15

WYATT

“How’s it going?” I ask Stella while she runs around the pool area, making sure everything’s set up for the first bachelorette event. “And what can I do?”

“We just got them checked in a little bit ago. I have a good feeling about this group, so I think it’s going to be a fun weekend. I’m just making sure everything is ready for them when they come down,” she answers, leaning down and grabbing a plastic pink tub from behind the bar. “But if you’re offering, I’ll let you take this inside and fill it with ice so I can finish the drinks they asked for.”

“No problem, Stels. And really everything looks perfect,” I say truthfully. Honestly, it’s impressive how much she and Avery managed to liven this place up in the last few days. All of the plants around the pool have been manicured, making it so there’s a clear view of the beach from anywhere around the patio. The small twinkle lights glow off the water, and the floats in the shape of wedding rings and pink flamingos are floating around the pool.

I make quick work of filling up the ice bucket, and as I walk back to the pool I can’t help but stare at Stella. She’s talking animatedly to Avery so she’s not paying any attention to me,and I take the moment to admire how hot my fake wife is. Her long brown hair frames her face perfectly, and the sundress she’s wearing clings to her body in the June heat. I shake my head, determined not to let myself go down that road with her. We agreed we’re just friends—and friends don’t fantasize about kissing each other. And I’m pretty sure they don’t fantasize about each other the way I did last night.

There was a moment in the woods yesterday when I was certain she wanted me to kiss her, but she hasn’t acted any differently since our almost kiss, so I’m guessing I’m wrong. It makes me feel guilty knowing I finally gave in and jerked myself off in the shower at the thought of her after we got home last night. I’ve never come that hard in my life, but the knowledge of what I did has made me feel guilty all day. Really, we were both really clear on how we wanted this relationship to go, so what kind of creepy fake husband am I?

Pushing those thoughts from my head, I walk up to her with the ice bucket, causing Stella to smile at me. As soon as I set it down she wraps her arm around me in a hug. “You’re the best, Wyatt,” she tells me. I don’t miss the way Avery watches us, suspicion heavy in her eyes.

“Okay, enough of this bullshit. You two may be okay living in delusion, but I’m not. When the hell are you two going to sleep together and get it over with? The tension between y’all is really some—” she starts, and I have to catch myself from laughing at her outburst as Stella leans over and covers Avery’s mouth. Avery appears unfazed as she continues to babble incoherently around Stella’s hand, and I just stare at them, trying to decide how I should react.

Thankfully I’m saved from saying anything as the guests for the bachelorette party pile out onto the pool deck, squealing over the setup in front of them.

“Oh my god, this is so beautiful!” a girl, who I'm assuming is the bride since she’s the only one wearing a white swimsuit, yells, and Stella and Avery just smile in acknowledgment.

Stella’s hand left Avery’s mouth as soon as the door opened, and although I know Avery won’t bring it up in front of the guests, I can tell she’s far from through with this conversation.

“Girls, do you see these floats? That wedding ring is seriously so cute. And more rosé? I’m in heaven,” the bride continues. When I look over at my wife and her best friend, I can tell her praise means a lot to them.

“Okay, I need us to take lots of pictures before it gets too dark and our hair gets wet,” another girl suggests, prompting the rest of the girls to drop their stuff and start lining up. “Stella or Avery, would one of you mind taking some group pictures?” she calls, and Avery immediately darts over and starts directing people on how to pose.

Stella and I make eye contact, and I know we’re both thinking about the other night when we talked about her joining me for the boat charters for this exact reason.

“You were right,” she whispers, and I can’t help but smile at her.

“Yeah, I know,” I tease, before adding, “but I think this is my cue to leave, so I’ll go wait on the food at The Sand Bar.”

“What, you don’t want to stick around for the photo shoot?” she asks.

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