18. twilight zone
twilight zone
MARLEY
Damn it.
I rise from the bed like I’ve been doused with cold water.
I overslept.
The sky is now indigo, which means I’m probably late, but my headache is gone, so that’s a good thing. There’s a note on the nightstand. And the monogrammed cup from the welcome basket, next to my Tylenol.
You looked peaceful, so I didn’t want to wake you.
Come find me at Honu House when you’re ready.
I’ll save you a seat.
— O
I fall back into the pillows, trying to gather my bearings.
And figure out what to wear. I wasn’t having dinner with just anyone.
I was having a meal with the elite. Collette Randolph, famous fashion journalist. Her husband, Jerome Sterling, who is a Grammy-winning songwriter and record producer.
And their sweet and precious Carina. America’s socialite. Oh, and my fake boyfriend.
No pressure.
I scoff and peel back the covers. I’d already showered, my body oiled and lotioned down with Yummie Skinpotion.
I rummage through my suitcase, remembering the two just-in-case dresses I’d packed.
One was a silky champagne slip dress with a plunging neckline, and the other was a peach bodycon midi that hugged my frame like second skin.
I go with the peach dress, the bodice a little more modest, with short off-the-shoulder sleeves.
As I’m doing my make-up, the events of this vacation so far replay in my head on a loop. Meeting a man I would date in real life. Meeting my idol, who is the mother of the woman who dated the man that I would date in real life.
Gah!
I can’t believe this is my life right now.
My phone rings, a FaceTime call coming in from Lo. I prop the phone against my makeup bag and accept the call.
“Hey girl, heyyy!” she squeals.
“You’re all excited. You sound like you have good news.”
Her face drops. “I don’t, but a little birdie, also known as TMZ, noted that Carina Sterling is in fact in Maui.”
I sigh, adding a bit of shimmer to the tip of my nose. “Yeah, I know.”
Lo’s voice rises an octave. “You know?”
“Yes. I know.”
“ What the hell, Mar! Why didn’t you call to tell me?!”
“I haven’t exactly had time to. You won’t believe the drama I’m in right now.”
“What? What’s going on?”
“I may have gotten myself into a situation with Othello.”
A smile spreads across Lo’s face. “You fucked him?! My girl! I know his dick is big, but does he know what to do with it?”
“Wait, how do you know his dick is big?”
“His hands! They say it’s in the feet, but it’s not. It’s in the hands.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Okay, no. I did not have sex with him! But you were right. He is here for Carina’s wedding.”
“I knew it!”
“And the cherry on top is that he is Carina’s ex.”
“Wait. How? We looked. We didn’t see anything about the two of them dating.”
“I know! But they did,” I say, grabbing my Danessa Myrick lip liner.
“I leave Lo to her thoughts, her mind reeling as I outline the deep brown shade against my lips. “Lo, I’m telling you, the past 24 hours have been crazy as hell. I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.”
“I’ll say. I can’t believe he used to date Carina. She doesn’t even seem like his type. When I interviewed him, he was so cool, calm, and collected.”
“Exactly. And he is all that. But they say opposites attract.”
“Well, wait a minute. If he’s her ex, what the hell is he doing there?”
I stop filling my lips in to look at Lo, my face deadpan. “He’s the best man.”
She gasps. “Get the fuck outta here…”
I go back to applying my pink, brown lip combo. “As if things couldn’t get any weirder, he is the cousin of the groom. Yes,” I say before Lo can stop me. “Gavin Wade is Othello’s cousin. But I didn’t find any of this out until Othello introduced me to Carina as his girlfriend.”
Lo’s eyes widen, and her mouth drops. I let the moment of silence marinate as I pop my lips together and place the top back on my tube of lipstick.
“Are we talking about your life, or is this some Tyler Perry movie?”
“This is my vacation right now. Pure drama.” My body cringes and shivers at the thought of it all. “But then…and this is where it gets good.”
“Wait, there’s more?”
“Yes!” I hiss.
I snatch the phone and rush into the bedroom, propping it against the lamp on the nightstand. All of my shoes are out of my luggage and lined neatly in the closet. I snatch my gold strappy Giuseppe heels I’d packed to go with this dress and sit on the edge of the bed to put them on.
“I met Collette Randolph at yoga this morning. I was fangirling like crazy, forgetting that this woman is the mother of the bride. And then, because I agreed to play fake bae, she assumes I’m locked in for every wedding event they have planned.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her this whole thing is a lie.
So, I’m stuck being Othello’s girlfriend for the week. ”
Lo kisses her teeth. “Like that’s a bad thing?”
I look at Lo like she’s growing arms out of her ears. “Have you heard anything I’ve said?!”
“Every word!” she exclaims. “And yes, this is some messy Young and the Restless type shit, but, I mean, do you hear yourself right now? You have front row access to the biggest wedding of the year!”
I shake my head as I grab my clutch and stuff it with my lipstick, compact, keycard, and mints.
“And what could be so bad about being boo’d up with Othello Kingston?” Lo continues. “The man is fine as hell. You’re in Hawaii. And I saw that damn thing to-do list you and Andy cooked up. It looked boring as hell.”
My mouth drops. “Was not.”
“Was too,” she snaps back. “I’m sure this wedding has way better activities planned than that humdrum shit you had in mind. Chuck that list in the nearest garbage bin.” I take a step back, looking very offended and slightly betrayed.
“You look nice,” Lo offers, eyeing my ensemble.
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
“Oh, I’m most definitely still on the subject. Date that man, all week, and after! He’s a catch. A New York Times best-seller, a gentleman, and did I mention fine as hell?”
“You did mention.” I have more to tell, like the fact that I’m staying in this man’s suite, but I think I’ve dropped enough bombs on Lo for now.
I take a look at myself in the camera of my phone as Lo says, “No, really. You look gorgeous. Where are you going?”
“To Carina and Gavin’s welcoming dinner.”
“Wow. Ok, so I’m gathering that everything that’s happening to you right now is not some random coincidence.”
“Lo, please,” I sigh.
“Listen to me. The stars are aligning. You literally just had a meeting about needing a top cover story. Now you’re at a high-profile wedding with a socialite bride. I mean, can the signs be any clearer? What you’ve been asking for has literally fallen into your lap.”
I give myself a look over in the mirror to make sure I look good enough to make Othello’s jaw drop.
“Are you listening to me?” Lo quips.
“I’m running late. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“Right. Just remember, despite everything, you’re still on vacation! So have fun. Take advantage of this moment, Marley. With the wedding. And that fine ass man.”