Page 83 of Fake Dating Adrian Hunter
Once I get used to the sensation of floating on the water, the experience isn’t that bad. There aren’t any waves out here, and instead of a pitch-black night like I anticipated, we’re surrounded by floating lanterns. A few other paddle boarders are in sight, but none close by.
When we’re far enough away from the shore, Adrian sits behind me, then grabs my body and effortlessly spins me to face him—kind of on par with the sex-flip. Now I’m flashinghimwith my underwear, but what’s new?
“Nice out here, huh?” he says.
I gaze at the party life back at shore, the fire lanterns, night markets, and people dancing to the live band. “It’s peaceful. We’ll have the best view for these fireworks.”
Adrian takes my hands in his. There’s a moment of silence where we’re smiling at each other beneath the moonlight, then he says, “I’m really glad you decided to come here with me tonight.”
“So am I.”
“Things have been complicated between us, but I want to clear the air about some stuff.”
I roll my eyes and laugh, sliding even closer to him so that my legs are in his lap. “We were both immature pricks this week, but that’s yesterday’s problem. Like we said last night, I’m yours and you’re mine.”
“I meant about the past.”
“Ah, everything makes sense now.Thisis why you lured me out here—so I won’t go hostile on you and risk falling into the water while you discuss our childhood.”
“Maybe,” he says. “No, I don’t want to spend a single moment fighting with you.”
“Good, so can we agree we don’t need to discuss anything? No ex-boyfriends or girlfriends. No childish jealousy games. Nothing from when we were kids. We have a clean slate. There’s no need to talk about all the ways we’ve hurt each other.”
“It’s bound to come up at some point.”
“It doesn’t have to. Let’s look forward. Not back.” I brush my lips over Adrian’s to shut him up. I know my tactics have worked when he deepens the kiss.
But then he says, “Come home for Christmas.”
“Not this again.”
“I know our families can be overbearing, but they adore you.”
“Oh, yeah? How exactly? By sharing embarrassing stories and photos of me with all the wedding guests?”
“If you’re referring to the welcome dinner slideshow—”
“Of course I’m referring to that. It was terrible, but you weren’t there, so you wouldn’t know. They included a photo of me withVerena the Vaginawritten across my back.”
He brushes a lock of hair behind my ear and frowns. “First of all, your mom apologized for that photo being in the slideshow. Secondly, I know you don’t want to talk about the past, but I’m sorry about creating that stupid name.”
“So, let’snottalk about the past or my family.”
“Verena, do you know our parents always make a habit to watch your show together with a bowl of popcorn like it’s a movie night? They think so highly of you.”
I didn’t know that. He nods when a surprised look creeps over my face.
“Your parents have been trying to spend time with you all week,” he adds. “It’s only because I’ve missed you so much and can’t get enough alone time with you that you haven’t seen them more. They want you in their life, and not just once every seven years or on a TV screen. And you know those phone calls your mom initiates with me every month? She’s always raving about how proud of you she is.”
I smile. “You sure know how to be sweet.”
“I’m being honest. And hopefully persuasive.”
“Okay, I’m not making any promises except that I willthinkabout coming home for Christmas.”
“I’ll find a way to convince you.” He grins.
“AndI’msureIcan convince you to be quiet.” My lips find Adrian’s. I wriggle closer to him so that I’m sitting right in his lap, straddling him. Again, not the best idea in this dress, but I’ve moved beyond caring.
