Fakecation

Chapter Eighteen

Daniel

They didn’t have much energy after their shower. Or at least, Amelia didn’t seem to.

And while his orgasm had been mind-altering, seeing hers had been even better. He planned to go to the supermarket down the road to get the condoms they desperately needed, but then she laid her head on his shoulder and fell asleep, and he knew there was no moving.

He drifted off, her weight comfortable on him. When he woke up, they’d barely moved, but his hands had drifted under her shirt, and he could feel himself harden at the reminder of what they’d done in the shower.

He definitely should have gotten the condoms the night before.

This was the last full day of the vacation and he didn’t know if this new development would carry over to their normal lives in the way their fake relationship would. But he wanted it to. He needed more than just one full day with her.

Amelia slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, as if trying to gauge where she was, and then she looked at him. A small smile made its way onto her face.

“Hi,” she said sleepily.

Daniel couldn’t help but return the smile. “Hey.”

“So, last night wasn’t a dream, right?”

“Not unless we both had it.”

She smiled again and kissed him, which did nothing but further his desire for her. He pressed himself against her almost instinctively.

She reached down, giving him just the slightest bit of friction on his aching—

“Amelia! Daniel! Do you want to go to breakfast?”

“Damn it,” she muttered. “I feel like a teenager getting caught with a boy in her room. Do you want breakfast?”

He was hungry, but not for food.

“Sure,” he said. “We have errands to run after anyway.”

“We’ll go!” Amelia called back. “And if you mean condoms,” she added lowly, “I will not be buying those with my parents present.”

“Understandable.”

“And it’s not even for the reason you think.” Amelia got up and picked out her outfit. “When my mom found out, she took me to the drugstore to show me every kind of condom I could ever need. The only problem? The guy I was with walked in.” She shuddered. “Worst day of my life.”

“As mortifying as that is, at least you were educated.”

“Oh yeah. Down to the sizing.He walked in on me saying that I needed a smaller size.”

“No. He didn’t.”

“He did. I had to have a long talk with him about how it didn’t matter to me and how I liked him either way. He still ghosted me though.”

“Then he missed out.”

She turned to him, smiling with narrowed eyes. “You’re just saying that because of the blow job.”

“No. It’s much more than—”

“We’re ready when you are!” Mandy called.

“You should get dressed,” Amelia said. “We can’t keep them waiting for long.”

He did as he was told, getting dressed in record time. Amelia disappeared for only a second, muttering that she needed to do one other thing before she left. She grabbed her bag and darted from the room.

For a moment, he wondered if she was hiding something from him.

Or someone.

It would make sense—why else would she be up on her sexual health if she wasn’t sleeping with other people? She’d only said she didn’t want a relationship, but she could easily have other partners.

She’s not Lucinda,he reminded himself.And besides, this might all be casual for Amelia too. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about what any of this was.

They did need to talk about it at some point.

But this wasn’t the moment for that discussion. For now, he finished getting ready and then met everyone by the door. She had been chugging a glass of water when he got out.

She gave him a thumbs-up that he wasn’t sure what to do with, but he attributed it to their change in relationship. He gave her space as they walked to the car.

“So,” she began, looking out the window, “we went a whole night before it got awkward. That’s a record for me.”

“It’s not awkward.”

“Your face says otherwise,” she said. “When you came out of the room, you seemed . . . different.”

“It’s just something we have to talk about later. That’s all.”

“You know those are the worst words I could hear, right?” She laughed, but it didn’t sound like she was amused. “I mean, we have to talk about something later?And it has you upset?” Her fingers tapped on her knee. “That’s not worrying me at all.”

“It’s nothing bad.”

“Then why can’t we talk about it now?”

“It’s . . . I don’t know how to ask.”

“Anything is better than nothing.”

“Okay, then. Is there anyone else?”

There was only silence. His heart kicked up speed.

“Wh-what? Anyone else with what?”

“You. I mean in general.”

“Like with as in sexually?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you asking?”

“Because when you ran out, I got the idea that you’re hiding something, and the last time someone was hiding something was when Lucinda was with my dad.”

The car was silent, and he wondered if it was proof of an omission.

“Oh, shit. First of all, no. There is no one else and there will be no one else. I’m not . . . I would never . . .” She shuddered.

He risked a glance at her. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I don’t have some guy back home that I sleep with, nor do I here. And I wouldn’t go back to them even if I did. Our relationship might be fake, but I’m still dedicated to it.”

“Thank God,” he replied. “I’m sorry I even brought it up. I must have been in the wrong state of mind this morning.”

“It’s okay,” she said. “It’s something we should clear up anyway.”

Her voice was small, and she looked back out the window. Daniel wondered what was running through her head, but they pulled into the breakfast restaurant right after, and Mandy was waiting on them.

“Last day at the beach!” she said, blissfully unaware of any of the lingering awkwardness between them. “I almost don’t want this to end.”

“We’ll come back next year,” Randy said. “Now, let’s get in there. I’m dying for some waffles.”

Daniel knew he needed to get back to being Amelia’s perfect boyfriend, but as they walked in, he wondered if he’d made a mistake in questioning her at all. Most people would have been upset to be accused of keeping secrets.

But she seemed okay. She sat next to him, giving him a small smile.

There was no one else, and that helped him far more than he could express.

“So what do you do for fun, Daniel?” John asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Fun? Unfortunately, my work schedule doesn’t allow for much of that.”

“That’s not good for you. Do you like working out? I live in Atlanta too. Maybe we can hang out.”

“That could be nice,” he replied, but he saw Amelia’s confused expression in the corner of his eye.

Maybe it would have been better to turn John down, but he liked this family. John seemed like the kind of person he could get along with.

It wouldn’t last. Once his and Amelia’s fake relationship was over, so would his fledgling friendship with her brother.

He could enjoy it while it lasted, though.

“What is this?” Amelia said. “You’re connecting with my boyfriend?”

“I like this one,” John said. “We all do.”

He gave Amelia a pointed look, but her eyes darted away.

Daniel glanced over at her, feeling like there was a whole conversation he was missing out on.

“And you’re always welcome out at our house in the middle of nowhere,” Randy added. “Though it may not be your thing.”

“It sounds nice.” He only wished he could see it.

They were interrupted by a waitress coming to take their order, and it hit Daniel just how much he could see living this life forever. With Amelia and her family.

After breakfast, they drove back to the condo, Daniel’s mind still on what could have been.

“S-so, you and John.”

“I don’t have to talk to him again.”

“No,” she said. “It’s not that. He just usually doesn’t go out of his way to connect with others. It’s a compliment, really.”

“I don’t want to make it harder for when this ends,” he said. “So I won’t worry about it.”

“Yeah, about that . . . How long did you want to do this for when we get back?”

That was a complicated answer. “I didn’t have a date in mind.”

“Right, and with the news, I bet it’ll last a while.”

“Yes, but we don’t have to pretend for very long if you don’t want to. I’m sure news like that will linger for months.”

“I said I would pretend to be your girlfriend until it died down. If it’s months, then . . . I’m fine with that too.”

“Because you want to or because you feel like you have to?”

Her cheeks turned pink. “I want to. And if in that time period, you did want to take John up on his offer, then do it. I don’t mind. Maybe I could start running regularly too.”

“I think I’d like that.”

“You know what else I’d like?” she asked. “To enjoy the waves on our last day here. Want to go for a swim?”

“Don’t we have errands to run? We could go to Target.”

Amelia’s nose scrunched, and he remembered how badly their previous Target trip had gone. “Can we just skip it for now? I think I want to be in the water. We go back tomorrow anyway, and I have plenty of what we need back in Atlanta.”

“That works for me.”

They arrived at the condo and immediately went down to the beach. The salty air simmered with the memories of the night before, but she seemed content to enjoy the water, and this was their last chance to.

By the end of the day, Daniel had forgotten about all of his problems.

But then, when he was toweling off, he finally checked his phone.

Lucinda: We’re telling everyone tomorrow.

His heart sank. At least his father had given him a week.

Terri: You free? I need an update on your wild adventure.

“Mind if I call my sister?” he asked. “We need to catch up.”

“Of course not,” she replied. “I’ll see you back in the room.”

Daniel watched her go before calling Terri.

“Hey,” he said. “Sorry, I was away from my phone for a bit.”

“Don’t be,” she replied. “It’s nice that you’re away from it for once. How is it going?”

“Lucinda and Dad are telling everyone tomorrow.”

“Oh, perfect,” Terri said dryly. “I’m guessing he told you?”

“She did,” he said. “She’s been acting weird since finding out about Amelia.”

“I’m sure she has. Leave it to her to cheat on you, then want you to stay single forever. Good riddance.” Terri blew a raspberry.

“How much wine have you had?”

“None, but the actions of a kid carry over after a while.” She sighed. “And he’s in the other room, so I can’t say what I’m really thinking.”

“I get it,” he replied. “Amelia overheard me snap at Lucinda and I had to tell her who she left me for. It was awkward, to say the least, but she’d find out eventually. Luckily for me, she’s not the biggest fan of Lucinda, either.”

“Really? And how are things going with the beautiful Amelia?”

“Fine.”

“Any feelings turn real?”

“Maybe.”

“And has anything happened?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Chrissy and I have a bet. Mine is that you’ll break before the vacation is up. I’ll win twenty dollars.”

“Then consider yourself twenty dollars richer.”

“Yes! Now, are you officially together, or is this one of those things where you don’t talk about it, and it inevitably blows up in your face?”

“We’re not official, but we did agree to be committed to the fake relationship.”

“Wow, communication, huh? Is she still not wanting to date anyone?”

“I think so.”

“So, how long does this little ruse go on for?”

“No clue. We agreed to end it whenever. Could be months.”

Terri laughed. “Months? Sounds like a real relationship.”

“Maybe one day.”

“Start getting her favorite foods. I’ll plan on making her a table at Thanksgiving, and you two can tell this epic story to us over dinner.”

“I don’t know that it’s going to end up like that.”

“We’ll see. Just tell me if she likes green bean casserole or sweet potatoes, okay?”

“And if you’re wrong?”

“I’ll make deviled eggs just for you. Now, get back to your vacation. I need to tell Chrissy all of this.”

They said their goodbyes, and Daniel took a minute to think on his sister’s words. He could still see it all happening.

But he could only hope it would actually come to fruition.

Amelia was asleep by the time he got back. She was on top of the covers, looking as if she’d fallen asleep on accident.

He got her under the covers before showering and pulling out his book to read. He didn’t get very far into it before the exhaustion from the day hit him, and he followed her into sleep.

***

A resounding knock on the door alerted them both.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Mandy called through the door. “We have to check out soon.”

“Okay!” Amelia called back. “Be out soon!”

As consciousness returned to him, a somber reminder flashed in his head.

Today is the day.

“We have so much to do,” she groaned. “I didn’t pack at all last night.”

They really hadn’t.

“I’ll start,” he said, eager to get his mind off of what was coming. He got up, immediately putting everything in his suitcase. Amelia helped, and they were ready within an hour.

“Are you guys all done?” Mandy asked as they stood outside Amelia’s car.

“Yep,” Amelia answered. “We should head back and start preparing for work on Monday.”

“I get it, but we should all go out to lunch now that I’m feeling better.”

“There’s always the pizza place by our office.”

After hugging Amelia tightly, Mandy threw her arms around him too.

“Now, don’t be a stranger,” she said, pulling away. “We really liked spending this week with you, even if you only had eyes for Amelia.”

Daniel felt his face heat up, and he awkwardly laughed, trying to play it off.

“It’s fine,” Mandy said. “That means you like her, and that’s all I wanted.”

“I really do,” he admitted.

“I guess I’ll see you soon. Both of you, hopefully.”

“Nice to have met you, son,” Randy said, stepping forward to give Daniel’s hand a shake. “You’re a good one.”

“You too,” Daniel replied with a smile.

“It’s so weird not to be riding back with you,” Amelia added.

“It is, but I know coming back to our house makes the trip longer,” Mandy said. “Plus, you have an amazing driver with you.”

“Hah, that’s right. I’m so glad not to have to drive back alone,” Amelia said. Daniel smiled at her before John pulled him aside to exchange numbers.

“I’m serious about you two working out. Both in the gym and in general. You suit each other.”

An uncomfortable feeling settled in his chest. “Thanks, John.”

“Just . . . be patient, okay? I think her ex did more than she says.”

“I know the feeling,” he replied truthfully. He wondered if he would have ever admitted what Lucinda did if it weren’t for her and his father telling the world.

“Ready to go?” Amelia asked, walking over to him.

“I think so.” To John, Daniel said, “Thanks for giving me your number.”

“No problem. See you guys soon.”

They waved goodbye before getting into the car. Daniel sat in the driver’s seat automatically, hoping his father would hold off just until they got back to Atlanta.

“I didn’t expect them to like you so much.”

“Really?”

“I don’t mean that in a bad way,” she rushed to say. Her face was red. “I just meant that before you came, you were a different person, at least to me. I expected you to be all business.”

“I think I expected to just fake my way through this trip and never be myself.”

“I like the real side of you,” she admitted quietly. “It’s nice.”

He had to fight the urge to look over at her.

And that was when his phone jingled. His heart picked up speed. Could it be the announcement?

Another notification came in. And then another one.

“You know,” he said, his voice tight, “maybe we should top off the tank before we get too into driving.”

“That’s a good idea. Go for it.”

When they pulled into the gas station, Amelia went inside to use the bathroom and grab a coffee while Daniel pulled out his phone.

Michael Anderson had announced he was getting married to Lucinda Jackson—and he’d tagged Daniel in the post.

People he went to college with who knew Lucinda were messaging him, asking questions.

Is this really your father?

Didn’t you marry her?

She’s with WHO?

“Fuck,” Daniel muttered as he read through them all. His stomach churned.

The car door flew open. “Did he tag you in a post?”

“How did you know?”

“Mom is your Facebook friend. She saw it.”

“Your mom saw it?”

“She doesn’t know Lucinda is your ex.”

Daniel groaned.

“That asshole,”she snarled, shaking her head. “What can I do?”

“I don’t know. I have people messaging me and I don’t know what to say to them.”

“Do you have to say anything?”

“I . . . I don’t know. I’m so overwhelmed, and the messages keep coming.”

Amelia took the phone out of his hands, and he blinked over at her, confused.

“Those people can wait,” she said. “I think you need a minute to breathe.”

“But—”

“You know what your dad said, and you know what he posted. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

It felt wrong to just put his phone away. So many people were probably waiting to hear his side of the story. They had to want to know what was going on.

But he didn’t want to explain it yet. While he was over his ex, he didn’t want to share the sordid story with people he hadn’t talked to in years. He didn’t want to stare at the post of Lucinda and his father, of all people, remembering the night he’d found out what she’d done.

“You’re right,” he said softly. “I need a break.”

“I’ll hold onto this. Are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah, I am. If I’m driving, I can’t look at social media.”

He drove on autopilot, listening to the near silence of the car.

But then, even that was shattered by his ringtone. He’d totally forgotten that he hooked up Bluetooth while he was driving. They both glanced at the screen in the car, and Daniel cursed when he saw it was his father.

“Don’t answer it,” she urged.

“He’ll just keep calling,” he said through gritted teeth. Before he could think twice, he pressed the answer button on the steering wheel. “What?” Daniel said, too annoyed to answer with anything else.

“You saw my post, right?” his father asked. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amelia’s jaw drop.

“I did.”

“What do you think? Does it express my love well enough?”

Daniel should have been shocked by that question, and yet he wasn’t. He was more embarrassed that Amelia had to hear any of this. He didn’t even want to risk any more glances over at her.

“It’s fine, Dad,” Daniel said, his voice tight.

“Well, you should like it, son. And let me know if you’re coming to the wedding. Lucinda wants you there.”

He didn’t know what to say to that. It was all he could do to focus on driving. He’d much rather be screaming.

“Actually, he’s busy,” Amelia said, and Daniel was shocked to hear her speak up. “Very busy, actually.”

“Daniel, who is that?”

“I’m his girlfriend, Amelia. And Daniel here is going to be busy with me during your wedding.”

“It’s his father’s—”

“Nope, I don’t care who you are. You’re not forcing my boyfriend to do anything he doesn’t want to. So stop asking,” she said. “In fact, I think it’s weird for my boyfriend to go to his ex-wife’s wedding, so we’re not going to do that. Let your son have some time to deal with you stealing his wife. Okay? Bye now.”

Amelia hung up the call.

“What was that?” Daniel asked incredulously.

“That was me making a decision. He’s a self-righteous ass.”

“He’s going to call back.”

“Oh, I know. Your phone is on silent now.”

“But he’s going to get mad.”

“Like you’re not also mad?”

“I am.”

“So why even give him the time of day?”

He didn’t have an answer. For a long time, he’d dealt with his father with a distant acceptance. Sure, he would only talk about himself, but Daniel could deal with it when he called. After all, he knew Terri wanted the updates despite her being disowned.

Then his father wound up with Lucinda, and things got worse.

“I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t.”

“You don’t owe him anything, even if he is your dad.”

Randy had said something similar.

“You’re right,” Daniel said. “I’m not answering for the rest of the day.”

“I think that’s the right call. Besides, I doubt anything good will come of it.”

He hoped she was right.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Probably,” he replied. “Maybe.”

“I know this is a weird situation, but is there anything I can do to help?”

Daniel wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he was overwhelmed and tired of dealing with it. It didn’t help that after a week of having Amelia close to him nearly all the time, he would be back in his empty apartment alone.

“Daniel?” she asked. “You still in there?”

“Kind of. I think I might need a break from driving.”

“Pull off. I’ll take it from here.”

Once they’d switched, he looked out the window distantly. In his mind, he was replaying the Facebook announcement over and over. He could just hear his father saying it. He could feel Lucinda’s smile as he hit post, as if she had won.

But the feeling of her winning didn’t bother him. Going back to the place that they had shared did.

“We’re getting close to the city,” she said. “Do you want me to drop you off?”

“That would be great.”

It didn’t take them long to get to his place. He told Amelia to pull into his second parking spot, but it was taken.

He stared at the blue sports car, horror washing over him.

“Huh,” she said, ignorant of his worry. “A neighbor must be having a guest over.”

“That’s not a guest. That’s Lucinda.”

“What? What would she be doing here?”

“She shows up from time to time.”

“Oh, come on.” Amelia threw the car in reverse and found the guest parking.

“What are you doing?” he asked as she cut the engine.

“Going in with you. I’m not letting you do this alone.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to,” she said. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

“I do. Please. I can’t keep dealing with this alone.”

“Then you won’t.”

His apartment was on the second floor, and Amelia followed him up the stairs quietly.

Daniel took out his key and turned the lock. His body was tight with anxiety.

Amelia put a warm hand on his shoulder. “We’ve got this.”

He opened the door, only to be hit with the scent of Lucinda’s perfume. It immediately took him back to their marriage, as it always did. The nights she would make him pose for the perfect Instagram selfie, or the nights where they would fight when he was far too tired for sex. It sent chills up his spine.

“Yuck, someone needs to air out the place.” Amelia fanned the air around her, face set in a scowl. He’d only seen her this protective at work when an employee came to her asking for help. He didn’t know how he’d somehow become a person she cared enough about to protect, but it calmed him in the face of his ex-wife.

Lucinda rounded the corner, coming into the foyer. She was dressed in one of her white robes, which was nothing more than a tiny silk dress. She looked like she had never left.

“Oh, Daniel. You’re finally back,” she announced.

“He’s not back for you,” Amelia said dryly. “That’s for sure.”

Lucinda blinked as if finally realizing he wasn’t alone.

“Who are you?” Lucinda’s voice soured.

“I’m his girlfriend,” Amelia replied, and he felt his heart stutter at her words. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here.”

“No, you don’t,” he replied.

Lucinda pouted, her lower lip poking out in a pitiful way. “But I picked this place out.”

“When we were married,” he snapped.

“Come on, you can’t be mad at me for missing you.”

“Yes, I can. Especially when you’re with my father now. Did you come here to rub it in again, or are you getting bored?”

“Shouldn’t you care more?”

“I do care, but not about you. I care that you’ve embarrassed me, and I care that you’re invading my privacy, but I don’t care about you. That stopped the moment you cheated on me.”

“In a gross way too,” Amelia said. “I hope you know anyone with sense thinks you’re a gold digger. Besides”—Amelia turned to Daniel—“is she even on the lease?”

“Not anymore.”

Amelia turned back to Lucinda, who was glaring at her. “So, you’re trespassing.”

“I’ve seen you before,” Lucinda said after a moment. “Where?”

Amelia’s voice came out flat. “I work with him. I’m the head of HR, and the reason you’re not allowed in the building.”

Daniel had never mentioned Amelia, but in the rare times Lucinda would come to the office to show off their relationship, she would see his coworker and mutter something about having to stake a claim to ward off the pretty women in the office.

Lucinda’s blue eyes dawned with recognition. “You’re his new girlfriend?” she asked. “You?”

“Yep.”

“So I had a right to be worried. You did have feelings for someone else.”

“Daniel and I only got together after you left,” Amelia cut in. “Unlike you, I understood that he had loyalty to his wife, up until you cheated and divorced him, that is.”

Lucinda looked Amelia up and down, and Daniel knew what she was about to do.

“Don’t,” he muttered.

“If you’re going after my man, at least you could tame that frizz. Or lose a few pounds. Whichever is easier.”

Daniel closed his eyes, knowing how much an insult like that could sting.

But Amelia laughed. “Is that all you could come up with? At least be a little more creative with it. Here, I’ll go first. You have the smell of a dog who was chased down by a skunk after not having a bath for six months. You have the personality of dry bread pretending to be toast. And you lost Daniel. A long time ago. So go back to pretending that your new man is perfect for you and find someone else to prey on. He’s taken.”

“Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t you? I had him first, and I can wear him down.”

“You’re not going to,” he said. “You’re just an annoyance. I don’t even know how you got in, considering I changed the locks.”

“The doorman is very interested in our relationship. He wants us together.”

“It must have really bothered you that Daniel was with me for a week out of town,” Amelia said. She slowly turned to him. “Do you want to stay with me? It’ll be better than here.”

His heart picked up speed. He wanted that more than anything, but he had no idea if she meant it or not. “Yes,” he said. “That would be great.”

“What?” Lucinda squawked. “But—”

“We’re going to be very busy packing,” Amelia said. “I’d been meaning to ask him to stay over tonight. Thanks, Lucinda.”

“You little—”

“Out!” Daniel snapped. “Or do I need to let your new fiancé know where you are?”

Lucinda’s eyes went wild for a moment, and he briefly wondered if she was going to lunge at them.

But then she ran.

“Man,” Amelia said, “she is a piece of work.”

“Dry bread pretending to be toast?”

“When my brain works with me, I can come up with devastating things to say to people I don’t like. Plus, I’d been working on those. I’m not her biggest fan.”

“Me either,” he replied. “Thank you for helping me get her out of here.”

“She’ll be back,” she warned. “Which is why my offer to stay with me was real. You’re welcome at my place. Until you get bored of me, of course.”

“I don’t think I will.” He felt his lips break into a smile. “I was hoping it was a real offer. Or else I’d be a little disappointed.”

“I’d hate to disappoint, but shouldn’t you be tired of me by now? We’ve spent a week always with each other.”

“I’m not tired of you. Are you tired of me?”

“No.”

“Good. Hopefully, from here, there will be less drama. Until Lucinda calls, I guess.” As he said it, his phone lit up with a call. “Isn’t this on silent?”

“I put it on quiet mode, but someone insistent can get past it.” They both looked at this screen; it showed Lucinda’s name. “She literally just left, and now she’s calling you too?” He could hear the annoyance in her voice.

“She always does this whenever she wants attention.”

“Are you going to answer?”

“No, but she’s going to keep calling.”

“Why not block her?”

Daniel sighed. “If I block her, then my father will start asking questions.”

“Then, block him too.”

“He’s my father.”

“And what do you owe him? Other than him being your mom’s sperm donor?”

She wasn’t wrong, but he didn’t know if he could go through with it. “My family sometimes wants updates. Especially my sister. He disowned her after she came out.”

“Would she be mad if you stopped talking to him?”

“No, but I know I’m her last connection to him, and blocking him feels like it’s bigger than just me.”

“You don’t have to keep making yourself miserable, though, even if she wants updates. Besides, I’ve rocked the boat today, and both of them are going to be mad.”

“Maybe I’ll ask her about it next time we talk,” he said. “But for now, I can do this.” He turned off his phone.

“That’s a good call. Now, let’s get packed up and out of here. I don’t like the way it smells.”

After he packed, they wasted no time getting to Amelia’s place.

She lived in an older apartment building on the second floor. When he walked in, he could see how the place fit her personality. She had teal decorations and photos of her with her family and friends lining the walls. It was lived-in, not just for show. She gave him a quick tour, even clearing off the pillows on one side of her bed for him.

“Thank you for letting me stay,” he said.

“You’re welcome. But in the interest of being a good host, I have to go get some food. I was thinking of going to Trader Joe’s. Want to join?”

Daniel hadn’t been shopping with anyone in years. It hadn’t been Lucinda’s idea of a fun time. “Sure,” he said. “I need to get a few things anyway.”

***

Shopping with Amelia, he quickly learned, was not a focused task. She first got distracted by the flyer in the front of the store. Then she saw a kid with a miniature shopping cart and told their mom how sweet it was. Then she found the flowers.

“When I was a kid, I always used to say I wanted my wedding bouquet to be pink and orange,” she explained, gently reaching out to touch the petals. “But we came here for food. Sorry, I keep getting distracted.”

“It’s fine,” he replied. “We can look at the flowers if you want to.”

She bit her lip. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. These are the things I wouldn’t ever look at before. I think it’s time for me to start.”

“Okay,” she said. “Then what’s your favorite?”

He pointed out a blue and white arrangement a few feet away. They walked through the corner of the store, looking at each one.

“I’ve got to say—” She went back to the pink and orange one. “—this is my favorite.”

“Then we’ll get it.”

“Wh-what? We don’t have to—”

“If it’s your favorite, then I’ll get it for you. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t get you flowers?” He picked them up and offered them to her.

“Wow,” she said, sounding breathless. “You go all out, huh?”

“I’m working myself up to level three. Isn’t that the highest?”

“That’s the one where you know all the weird things about me,” she said, gingerly taking the bouquet from him, “so yes.”

“How am I doing?”

Her cheeks were a delicate shade of pink. “Pretty good.”

Daniel was tempted to bring her into a kiss. It didn’t matter that no one was watching or that this was fake. He simply wanted to feel her lips against his again.

“Oh my God,” a voice said. “Daniel, is that you?”

He blinked, turning to his right.

“Dana,” Daniel said. “Hi.”

“I can’t believe I ran into you,” she said. “You look so . . . relaxed.”Her eyes went to his hair, which was unstyled, and then to the woman beside him. “Amelia? You’re here too?”

“Oh, hi,” Amelia said, putting the flowers in the cart. “What a small world.”

“Did we all run into each other here?” Dana asked. “What are the odds?”

“No, Amelia and I came here together.”

Dana blinked. “T-together?”

He risked a glance over at Amelia, silently asking if this was okay. They may have agreed to do this relationship at work, but he needed to make sure she hadn’t changed her mind.

She gave him the tiniest of nods.

“Yes,” he said. “Together.”

“Shopping together,” Dana said. “And you were both gone the same week. Wait, does that mean—”

“We’re dating?” Amelia asked for her. “Yes.”

Dana looked between them, then shook her head. “I didn’t even know you were ready to date again, Daniel.”

He frowned, the statement throwing him off. “I don’t usually discuss my dating life with my employees.”

“But Amelia . . .”

“Isn’t my employee,” he finished.

“Oh,” she said with a frown of her own.

“We won’t take up much of your time,” Amelia said, grabbing his arm. “We need to get back to my apartment.”

She dragged him away before he could say anything else. He didn’t give much resistance. He didn’t want to talk to Dana for too long anyway.

“Was that weird to you?” he asked.

“Definitely, but it will get the rumor mill turning.” She smiled up at him. “Good job.”

He nodded, looking over his shoulder at Dana. Her eyes were still on them.

“Maybe we should hold hands,” he said. “To make it more realistic.”

“You’re a level two-boyfriend, Daniel,” she said, sliding her hand into his. “Almost level three. You don’t have to ask.”

She pulled him deeper into the store, continuing to get groceries. He grabbed the few lunch and breakfast items he wanted, following along as she meandered through the store, looking at everything that caught her eye.

In the end, they had a full cart and a completed grocery list.

“I can’t wait to try that coffee I found,” she said as they walked to the car. “Maybe it’ll energize me enough to be excited for work.”

“With how nice that vacation was, I doubt either of us will have fun at work.”

“Other people will. I imagine Dana has told half the staff by now.”

“They were probably already talking too,” he said.

“At least you have this to cover up Lucinda.” She bumped her shoulder with his. “That should help.”

He nodded, helping her get the bags into the car. Once they got back to her apartment, they put it all up and made a quick dinner.

“You know, this is kind of nice,” she said as they cleaned up after eating. “Maybe not vacation-level nice, but still great.”

“This is still a vacation to me,” he said. “Being away from that apartment is more relaxing than you know.”

She set the last dish in the sink and dried off her hands. “More relaxing than a hot tub?”

His skin heated at the memory. “If you’re talking about the one at the condo, then I wouldn’t call that hot tub relaxing.”

“Then what would you call it?”

He could still feel the press of her ass in his lap and the way her lips felt against his. “I don’t have a good word, but I will always remember it. Every second of it.”

“Really?” Her voice lowered. “And what about the shower?”

“Even better.”

“Do you want to know what’s really great about being home?” She smiled. “I have condoms here, if that’s what you want, of course. It’s been a long day.”

“I can’t think of a better way to end it.”

Amelia was the woman who’d supported him all day—acting like a partner he never knew he needed. The night in the shower was always in the back of his mind, and this new emotional connection made him want her even more.

She stepped close to him, and he could see the depths of her brown eyes only for a second before she kissed him.

His heart picked up speed as her lips slid against his. His hand moved up to cup her cheek, and he couldn’t help but wish this was real and this could be his life from now on.

But then her body pressed against his, and all thoughts flew out the window. Her tongue met his and their kiss became frantic.

He was calculating how to get to the bedroom when she pushed them onto the couch. He fell, her weight on top of him. His hands couldn’t decide what part of her to touch first, whether it be her hips, her ass, or her back, and all thoughts of even making it to the bedroom dissolved.

His cock was aching at the thought of having her this close. She ground down, giving him a taste of delectable friction. He could feel his own breath stutter as she moved against him.

“We need less layers,” he managed to say.

“You’re so right,” she replied. She sat up, pulling off her top. She then turned those brown eyes to him and got up. He was about to pull her close again, but she was working at his pants, pulling them off. “Happy now?”

“Not until all of yours are off.” He sat up too, removing her leggings in turn, then ripped his own shirt up over his head. Amelia left for a brief moment to grab a condom. Once he had it on, she took her rightful place on top of him.

His cock rubbed against her, and he caught her sharp intake of breath. He arched his hips up, noticing how her eyes closed.

“Good?” he asked.

Amelia nodded, her breath coming out fast.

He continued his work, watching her exquisite reactions as he made sure she felt good. Making her come was one of his new favorite things to do. And his own arousal only grew as he watched her pleasure.

Her hips met his, and she chased after what she needed. Her grip on his shoulders tightened and he could see the moment she broke. Her mouth fell open, body twitching as her orgasm sent her over the edge.

After she had a moment to collect herself, she finally looked at him. “That was amazing,” she said.

”Should I call you my good girl now?”

Her cheeks were red. ”You remembered that?”

”I was mostly joking,” he replied. ”Both then and now.”

”What if I said I liked it?”

”Then I”ll remember that for next time.” And there definitely would be a next time.

”But you can”t call me that now.” She gave him a devious smile. ”Because I think I”m done being good. Now it’s your turn.”

She angled herself so his cock caught her entrance. As she slowly took him, inch by inch, he saw stars.

God, she felt unreal. So tight and hot and responsive. It was mental work not to come then and there. Her tight grip on his shoulders hadn’t relented.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“More than okay. This is possibly the best I’ve ever been. But now I need you to move.”

Daniel’s hands gripped her hips, and he thrust up.

“Oh fuck,” she said.

He moved her legs to get impossibly deeper, and his control finally snapped.

He went on like that for as long as he could, feeling her push back into him every time he slowed, but he couldn’t take much more.

But then she gasped, moving her hips in time with his. He could see her about to crumble, her facial expression a mirror of just moments ago when she’d come.

He could feel her clench around him as she continued to breathe heavily. Her orgasm sent him into his, and he could feel shock waves shoot through his entire body.

When he could breathe again, he noticed her barely catching her own breath.

“You’re incredible,” he hummed as he came down from his high.

She looked down at him, her face flushed. “I think you’re the incredible one.”