Chapter 12 - Apple Chrome Arrives
Jayna Stewart knew today was going to be a problem the moment she heard the voice.
"GINNYYYYY NAKAMURAAAAA!"
The entire resort lobby turned.
Jayna closed her eyes.
"...no."
Ginny froze beside her.
Then slowly—very slowly—turned toward the entrance.
And there she was.
Oversized sunglasses. Bright smile. Loud energy. Walking in like she was about to headline a concert instead of crash a reunion.
"Surprise, bitch!" Apple yelled, dropping her bag dramatically and sprinting toward them.
Ginny shrieked. "APPLE?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
Apple launched herself at Ginny, hugging her tight. "You got engaged without me! I had to come inspect the fiancée!"
Jayna pinched the bridge of her nose.
Of course she did.
Apple pulled back, hands still gripping Ginny's shoulders, eyes scanning her face like a detective.
"Are you in love?" Apple asked immediately.
Ginny choked. "What?! No!"
Apple gasped dramatically. "Liar."
Jayna snorted.
Apple's head snapped toward Jayna.
And then—
her eyes widened.
"...oh," Apple whispered.
Then louder:
"OH."
Jayna braced herself.
Apple grabbed Ginny's arm and shook her. "YOU DID NOT TELL ME SHE LOOKS LIKE THAT UP CLOSE."
Ginny groaned. "Apple, please—"
Apple turned to Jayna and stuck out her hand. "Hi, I'm Apple Chrome, Ginny's best friend, chaos coordinator, and now your number one fan."
Jayna shook her hand, amused despite herself. "Jayna Stewart. Alleged fiancée."
Apple leaned in conspiratorially. "Blink twice if you're actually in love with her."
Jayna smirked. "What if I blink once?"
Apple gasped again. "Oh my god."
Ginny covered her face. "I hate both of you."
Within ten minutes, Apple had fully inserted herself into their day.
And by "inserted," Jayna meant:
"Hold hands," Apple ordered, pulling out her phone.
Ginny groaned. "Apple—"
"You're ENGAGED. Hold hands."
Jayna didn't hesitate.
She slid her fingers into Ginny's.
Firm.
Natural.
Warm.
Ginny's breath hitched.
Apple squealed. "YES. Chemistry. I love it. Okay—closer."
"Apple," Ginny warned.
"Closer."
Jayna stepped closer.
Their shoulders touched.
Their hips brushed.
Ginny's brain went offline again.
Apple snapped a photo. "Perfect. That's the lock screen."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Do not set that as your lock screen—"
"Too late."
Jayna laughed.
It only got worse.
Because Apple would not stop.
"Oh! Feed each other something."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Jayna picked up a piece of fruit and held it to Ginny's lips.
"Open," she said sweetly.
Ginny glared at her.
Jayna raised a brow.
"Come on, baby," she added softly.
Ginny's knees almost gave out.
She opened her mouth.
Took the bite.
Chewed.
And tried very hard not to combust.
Apple screamed into her phone camera. "I'M WITNESSING A LOVE STORY."
---
Later, Apple dragged them to the garden area for "engagement content."
"Okay," Apple said, positioning them. "Jayna, wrap your arm around her waist."
Jayna did.
Immediately.
Her hand settling comfortably at Ginny's waist like it belonged there.
Ginny inhaled sharply.
Apple noticed.
Of course she did.
Her grin turned feral.
"Ginny, look at her like you're in love."
"I am not in—"
Jayna leaned down slightly, her voice soft near Ginny's ear.
"Just play along."
Ginny looked up at her.
And forgot the script.
Because Jayna was already looking at her.
Soft.
Warm.
Fond.
Real.
The air shifted.
Apple's camera slowly lowered.
Because even she could feel it.
That moment.
That dangerous, quiet, very-not-fake moment.
Apple broke it by squealing.
"OH MY GOD I'M CRYING."
Ginny jumped. "Stop ruining it!"
Jayna laughed, stepping back slightly, but her hand lingered at Ginny's waist for a second longer than necessary.
Apple wiped fake tears. "You two are disgusting. I love it."
Ginny groaned. "Please go home."
"Never."
---
That afternoon, Apple pulled Ginny aside.
Jayna watched from a distance.
Apple's expression shifted—still playful, but a little more serious now.
"So," Apple said, crossing her arms, "how fake is this?"
Ginny hesitated.
Apple raised a brow. "Ginny."
Ginny exhaled slowly.
"...it started fake."
Apple's eyes softened slightly.
"And now?"
Ginny glanced over at Jayna.
Jayna was laughing at something TK had said, her dimples visible, her posture relaxed.
Comfortable.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
Ginny's chest tightened.
"...I don't know anymore," she admitted quietly.
Apple smiled gently.
"Oh honey," she said. "You're in so much trouble."
---
Across the garden, Jayna watched Ginny laugh at something Apple said.
Her heart did something stupid.
Something soft.
Something she wasn't supposed to feel in a fake engagement.
Mable, who had just walked up beside her, crossed her arms.
"You're falling for her."
Jayna didn't answer.
Because the silence was answer enough.
---
That night, as Ginny and Jayna walked back toward their room, Apple's voice echoed behind them:
"GOODNIGHT LOVE BIRDS! DON'T DO ANYTHING I WOULD DO!"
Ginny choked. "APPLE!"
Jayna just laughed.
But as they stepped inside their room—
the laughter faded.
The air shifted.
Because they were alone again.
After a day of forced closeness.
Forced affection.
Forced intimacy.
That didn't feel forced anymore.
Jayna glanced at Ginny.
Ginny glanced back.
Silence.
Heavy.
Charged.
And neither of them said a word.