Chapter 27
It’s our last night in Bangkok before we fly to Phuket tomorrow. I’ve never been so grateful for free time in my entire life. I needed a break from Pureskin execs, nosy aunts, Isaac’s perfect girlfriend, and especially, fake boyfriends.
The rest of our time at the floating market wasn’t that bad. Nate and I shopped for cool magnets, ate Pad Thai, tried new-to-me produce, and mingled with Pureskin guests. It was all very civil. Too civil if you ask my heart. The biggest downside was falling asleep on the bus ride home and waking up with my head on Nate’s shoulder.
He didn’t seem to mind— good optics and all. But I minded. I hate how casual things are becoming between us. Things were better when we were coworkers who tolerated each other, not friendly coworkers who shared a ridiculously amazing kiss.
But tonight, it’s just me.
I booked a tuk-tuk tour to explore the bustling city and see all the best sights. My tour ended in Chinatown, where I grabbed dinner and took some pictures. I even sent one of the pictures to Mr. International, carefully leaving out any details that would signify Bangkok’s Chinatown from other Chinatowns around the world. We’ve never shared our travel destinations while on a trip, only after, but I did write Currently when I sent him the picture, so we’ll see how it goes. He probably won’t respond for a while. It’s early morning in Arizona.
To my surprise, my phone buzzes thirty minutes later as I walk around Bangkok’s gigantic flower market. I open my DMs to a picture. It’s blurry, as if he took it while spinning around and used a motion blur filter. The only thing I can tell for sure is that he’s in a city at night with bright lights. He sent the picture with the same message: Currently.
@girl_sees_the_world:
Not in Arizona, I see.
I keep my phone out, hoping for a quick reply. Mr. International doesn’t disappoint.
@worth_traveling_to:
Same with you. Does this mean you made it out alive from your compromising situations?
@girl_sees_the_world:
No, it just means I got a break from my compromising situations. What about you?
@worth_traveling_to:
I’m taking a break as well. So, what’s on your agenda besides exploring an unnamed Chinatown?
@girl_sees_the_world:
Exploring an unnamed city.
@worth_traveling_to:
What if we’re in the same city, exploring at the same time? Would you be willing to hang out with me?
I bite my lip, trying to contain my smile as I reply.
@girl_sees_the_world:
I guess that depends on what you want to do. Maybe we don’t like to explore the same way.
@worth_traveling_to:
I like to talk to locals. Eat delicious food. Try everything. See as much as I can in little amounts of time.
@girl_sees_the_world:
Sounds perfect. Where do we meet up?
@worth_traveling_to:
First, I should probably clarify that’s what I like to do when I’m alone. When I’m with somebody else, plans might change a little bit. They might take a more romantic turn.
Oh boy. I can’t help the giddy feeling taking over my stomach.
“Carly?”
My head lifts just as I collide with Isaac and Lauren—more specifically, I run into their joined hands like I’m playing a mortifying game of red rover . It takes a second to untangle myself from their arms. Why didn’t they just let go in the first place?
“Oh, hey!” I say, swiping my hair back as I gain my footing.
They are dressed up for the night, making me feel stupid in my jean shorts and cropped t-shirt.
“You really should watch where you’re going. You’re in a cool city. You can look at your phone some other time.” It’s then that Isaac notices I’m alone and feels the need to point it out. “Where’s Nate?”
“That’s who I was texting.” I hold my phone up and just as quickly take it away in case Isaac confiscates it to catch me in my lie. “We got separated and were just trying to find each other again.”
“Separated?” Lauren’s brows lift. “I would never let go of Isaac’s hand in a scary city like this.”
If the red rover game is any indicator, she’s telling the truth.
“Well, I’m pretty capable. I don’t mind exploring or traveling alone.” I say it with a smile, but I mean it as a dig.
“Being capable isn’t some big flex, Carly,” Isaac chides as he puts his arm around Lauren’s waist and pulls her closer. “Men like women who let them lead out. You probably won’t get married until you learn that skill.”
My heart bangs with anger and embarrassment. I want to retort with some clever reply that puts Isaac in his place, but he’s stripped me of my confidence and made me feel small. Too small to stand up for myself. Just like when he broke up with me.
“There you are!” Nate’s arm is suddenly around my shoulder as if I conjured him up from thin air. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” He shoves a bouquet of colorful flowers into my hands. “I got you these. They’re not as beautiful as you—nothing is—but it’s the best I can do.”
He presses a soft trail of kisses that I wasn’t expecting but am equally grateful for from my cheek to my jaw and down my neck. I’d enjoy it more if I weren’t staring Isaac in the eyes, watching his jealousy unfold in real time.
Nate nuzzles his nose into my neck, saying loud enough for our audience to hear, “What do you say we get out of here and go back to the hotel? I’ll rub your feet and your back, and then”—his smile tips to something sultry—“we’ll put you to bed.”
Before I can even respond, his head lifts.
“Oh, hey, guys,” he says to Isaac and Lauren like they’re an afterthought. “Sorry about that tender display of affection. I didn’t see you there, or else I wouldn’t have broadcast our after-midnight plans.” The arm around my shoulder somehow slips to my waist, pulling me closer.
I respond by placing a hand on Nate’s chest, rubbing my fingers back and forth as I curl my body into him. My head lifts, glancing up at Nate with the flirtiest smile I can fake. “Babe, I think you’re right. We should get out of here. I’ll let you lead out.” My pointed stare lands on Isaac. “See you guys tomorrow.”
We turn around and walk off with arms wrapped around each other’s waists. The lovey-dovey position makes each footstep more difficult, but the show is worth it.
“Thank you,” I say under my breath. “You arrived at the perfect time and saved me.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
We walk a few more steps when Nate slips his hand into my back pocket.
“Seriously?” I snap, pinching his waist. “Are you fourteen?”
He laughs as he tries to dodge my fingers. “The hand in the back pocket never fails.”
“How do you even know Isaac is still looking?”
“Trust me, I know.”
In that case, I suck in a deep breath and slip my hand into Nate’s back pocket too.
Who am I?
I don’t even recognize myself anymore.
Once safely around the corner, I pull my hand out. He does the same, but not before patting my butt twice.
My eyes seethe. “A restraining order would go great with your red flag.”
His smile is instant. “And what exactly is my red flag?”
“Groping women,” I deadpan.
He buckles over with laughter, breaking me. As much as I try to fight it, a broad smile stretches across my mouth, bringing laughter with it.
I playfully punch his shoulder. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“Saving you from that prick.”
“Besides that.”
“I was just out exploring when I saw you talking to them. I just figured you could use a little boost from our fake relationship.”
“Ugh, yes. I hate talking to them.”
“Why did you even date him in the first place?”
“When I started at Houselink Solar, Isaac was completely charming. He swept me off my feet, and our lives intertwined so much with work that it was easy to start a relationship. But then things started to change. He nitpicked little things about my personality and talked down to me. It was hard to tell if that was Isaac, my superior at work, talking, or Isaac, my boyfriend, so I let it slide. It’s not like I saw forever in his eyes, but I didn’t want to rock the boat at work, so I stayed with him for the wrong reasons.” I draw in a heavy breath, announcing with a huff, “That’s why I’ll never date a coworker again.”
“Really?” His brows lift.
“Yep.” I nod. “It’s a hard-and-fast rule.”
“Technically, you’re dating me so?—”
“Nope.” I stop Nate before he can finish. “That’s all fake, so it doesn’t count.”
“Hmm.”
I eye him, not liking his deep-in-thought expression.
I wiggle the flowers in front of his face, pulling him out of his trance. “And who are these for?”
“My mother.” Why is that the cutest thing I’ve ever heard? “But they’re yours now.”
“I’m not taking your mom’s flowers.”
“I want you to have them so you’ll always remember how I rescued you from Isaac and how you owe me.”
“I don’t owe you anything.” I sniff the flowers. “I’ve already done enough today.”
“No, I went above and beyond back there. I kissed your cheek, your neck, and grabbed your butt. You definitely owe me.”
I wrestle the smile that wants to break free on my lips. “Don’t even try. You wanted to grab my butt, and it was more of a pat than anything. Let’s not get too excited over there.”
“Pat. Grab. It’s all the same. I think I’d like to cash in on my reward.”
My lips purse as I glower back at him. “What do you want?”
“I’d like to know— in detail —what happened between us in that dream of yours.”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Carly, you owe me.”
“There’s nothing to tell, because nothing happened in that dream.”
“The blush on your cheeks tells a different story.”
“There’s no blush.” My hand goes to my face. “It’s hot here.”
“It was that good, huh?” He spins, walking backward in a different direction. “Don’t be surprised if, one of these days, you end up telling me all your secrets.”
“Don’t be surprised if I never speak to you again.”
He laughs. “We’ll see.”
His charming smile is the last thing I notice before he slips around the corner.