Page 8 of The Christmas Cover Rule
I untuck and unbutton my shirt before pulling out one of the chairs and begin to make a mental list of how I’m going to get my job done this week. Suddenly, hunting down the owner of this resort is starting to feel like child’s play when I thinkabout the task in Stella’s hand. I tip my beer back, savoring the cool liquid while wondering how the little vixen in the bathroom is going to get herself out of this mess.
MilesSimpDaddyCameron: Arrived?
Jonas: 10-4 big daddy
MilesSimpDaddyCameron: Call me that again, and you’re fired.
Jonas: Is being in power a kink for you?
MilesSimpDaddyCameron: Is being annoying a kink for you?
A huff of laughter escapes me as I lift the bottle to my lips again. Before I can text him back, I hear the sliding door open behind me, and not a second later, the sweet scent of coconut hits me.
“Okay, what do you think? A cave tour or snorkeling with manta rays?”
Stella looks down at a brochure. Her dark strands of towel-dried hair hang over the fluffy white robe that’s wrapped snuggly around her body. Her bare feet pad across the small deck, and she pulls out a chair across from me.
I slowly lower the bottle to the table, eyeing her with a hundred questions.
“These rays look so cute, but I’ve seen unedited photos, and they look freaky sometimes, so I’m torn.”
“What are you doing?” I finally ask.
“Planning our itinerary,” she responds without looking up from her pamphlet.
“Ouritinerary?”
“Well, obviously I’ll have to put in some family time, but I figured once or twice we could sneak off on our ownand do something fun.”
“We?”
“Yes. Jonas. You and me.”
“So when you said you wouldn’t be staying with me under any circumstances, what you really meant was…”
“That I wouldn’t be staying with you unless you introduced yourself to my entire family as my boyfriend.”
“Ahh, yes.” I smile through the sarcasm. “That’s exactly how I remember it happening.”
“I’m glad you agree. Now, snorkeling or cave tours?”
When she goes back to looking at her paper, likely not reading it, but just avoiding eye contact, I realize she’s fucking serious. I know I technically started this, but there’s a difference between a white lie to secure an upgraded room at a hotel and completely pretending to be someone I’m not.
“Stella.”
“Hmm.” Her lips purse and her eyebrows raise, but she’s still studying her paper, refusing to look at me.
“You know we can’t actually do this, right?”
For the first time, her bravado falters. She tosses her paper onto the table, slumps back into her chair, and looks out toward the endless lines of trees, deep in thought.
“I know,” she mumbles, shaking her head. “I know. You’re right, I’m sorry. This whole thing with Aiden has made me crazy, and god, I’m so—” She drags her hands through her dark, wavy hair before twisting it into a bun, and I watch as it spills right out. Her voice is softer when she speaks this time. “I just wanted to feel normal for once, and I got desperate, but that’s not your problem, and I shouldn’t have dragged you into my shit.”
She twists the jewelry along her fingers nervously, but I’m more distracted by her comment about wanting to feel normal. I’ve only known Stella since this morning and can already tell how far from normal—in the most incredible way—she is.
She bites down on her lip, jerking her head slightly, almost as if the confession surprised even her. “Anyway, thank you for entertaining me. I think I’ll see if I can book a last-minute room.”
She stands from her chair, and the receptionist’s voice rings in my ears.We’re fully booked this weekend.
