Chapter 5 - Resort Announcement
Ginny Nakamura was halfway through her second drink when the reunion host tapped a microphone.
“Okay everyone, can I get your attention for a quick announcement!”
The chatter in the hall softened into a low buzz as people turned toward the small stage at the front.
Ginny straightened slightly in her chair.
Beside her, Jayna’s hand was still casually draped over her knee under the table.
Because of course it was.
Ginny resisted the urge to swat it away.
Focus.
Announcement.
Safe topic.
Neutral.
Right?
Wrong.
The host beamed, clearly excited.
“So! As part of our ten-year reunion celebration, we actually have a special extended event planned for everyone who signed up.”
Ginny’s stomach dropped.
Extended event?
She slowly turned her head toward Jayna.
Jayna looked back at her, already smiling like she knew exactly what was coming.
Oh no.
The host continued:
“For the next three days, we’ll be staying at a private beach resort just outside the city!”
The room erupted.
Cheers.
Excited chatter.
People clapping.
Ginny froze.
Three days.
Three.
Days.
She turned to Jayna slowly, eyes wide.
“Three days?” she mouthed silently.
Jayna’s smile only widened.
“Oh this just got better,” she murmured.
Ginny did not share that sentiment.
At all.
The host raised a hand, still grinning.
“And to make things more fun, we’ve arranged room assignments based on your current status—so couples will be staying together, and singles will be paired with their chosen roommates!”
The crowd buzzed again, louder this time.
Some people already checking messages.
Some already laughing and teasing.
Ginny’s blood ran cold.
She turned to Jayna.
“Tell me we can opt out.”
Jayna tilted her head. “Why would we opt out?”
“Because,” Ginny whispered, voice tight, “we are not actually a couple.”
Jayna leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a teasing murmur.
“Not to them, we’re not.”
Ginny stared at her.
“Jayna.”
“Ginny.”
Ginny pinched the bridge of her nose.
“This is a bad idea.”
Jayna’s hand squeezed her knee gently under the table.
“Or,” Jayna said softly, “it’s the perfect way to sell it.”
Ginny’s brain was screaming.
Her pulse was racing.
Her entire body was hyper-aware of Jayna’s hand still resting on her leg.
“We are not sharing a room,” Ginny said firmly.
Jayna didn’t answer right away.
Instead, she slowly slid her hand off Ginny’s knee… and laced their fingers together on top of the table instead.
A deliberate move.
Visible.
Public.
Convincing.
Then she leaned in and whispered near Ginny’s ear:
“Too late, baby.”
Ginny’s stomach flipped.
---
“Alright!” the host said brightly. “We’ve sent out your room assignments via email and group chat. Check your phones!”
Around them, everyone immediately pulled out their phones.
Ginny’s hand tightened instinctively around Jayna’s as she reached for her own.
Her screen lit up.
New message.
ROOM ASSIGNMENTS – RESORT STAY
Ginny opened it.
Her eyes scanned down the list.
Name after name.
Couple after couple.
And then—
Nakamura, Ginny Stewart, Jayna — Ocean View Suite (1 Bed)
Ginny stopped breathing.
She reread it.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
One.
Bed.
Her entire body went rigid.
Jayna leaned closer, peeking at her screen.
“Oh,” Jayna said softly.
That was all she said.
But the way her voice dipped slightly—
warm, amused, just a little bit dangerous—
sent a wave of heat straight through Ginny’s chest.
Ginny turned her head slowly.
“You’re not enjoying this.”
Jayna’s dimples appeared.
“I’m not not enjoying it.”
Ginny groaned.
“Jayna, this is a disaster.”
Jayna took a sip of her drink, calm as ever.
“It’s a bed, Ginny. We’re adults. We can share a bed.”
Ginny stared at her like she had just suggested something criminal.
“We kissed once,” Ginny said in a hushed tone. “Once. And it was a mistake.”
Jayna’s expression shifted slightly at that word.
Mistake.
It was quick.
Barely noticeable.
But Ginny saw it.
Jayna recovered instantly, her smile easy again.
“Then it should be easy for you,” Jayna said lightly. “Just sleep.”
Ginny crossed her arms.
“I don’t like this.”
Jayna leaned in, her voice soft enough only Ginny could hear:
“You’re the one who said yes to a week, fiancée.”
Ginny swallowed.
She hated that Jayna was right.
Around them, their classmates were already buzzing with excitement.
“Oh my god, beach days!”
“Sunset bonfire!”
“Couple games!”
“Drinks by the ocean!”
Ginny felt her headache forming in real time.
Jayna, on the other hand, looked completely at ease.
Excited, even.
Of course she was.
Jayna nudged her gently with her shoulder.
“Come on,” she said softly. “It’ll be fun.”
Ginny let out a slow breath.
Three days.
One room.
One bed.
With Jayna Stewart.
The woman she had kissed once.
The woman who kept touching her like it was nothing.
The woman who looked at her like this whole thing wasn’t fake at all.
Ginny closed her eyes briefly.
“…I regret everything.”
Jayna laughed quietly beside her.
Then she intertwined their fingers again, lifting their joined hands slightly like a silent promise.
“Too late now,” Jayna murmured.
Ginny didn’t pull away.
But as she stared down at their linked hands, one thought kept repeating in her mind—
This was supposed to be simple.
A small lie.
One week.
No complications.
So why did it suddenly feel like she had just stepped into something she might not be able to walk away from?