Page 27 of Faking it For Summer

“I guess we’re just going to have to see what happens.”

“Hey,” she says, giving me a look. “It’ll work out. I promise. It’s going to be the best fake summer romance you’ve ever had. And who knows? Maybe you’ll actually meet a really cool guy at the wedding, and then you’ll have a real romance come out of it.”

“I don’t really know how that’s going to work, but, yeah, maybe.” I feel deflated, but I don’t want to let Luke and his change of plans affect me. “How about we all have shots of tequila before we go out dancing?”

“I’m down,” Wendy says. “Trust me, I need a shot for the week I’ve had.”

“Great,” I say. “I’ve got a bottle of some top-shelf tequila in my closet that I was saving for a special occasion, and I think tonight is that special occasion.”

I head to my room to grab the tequila, and Juniper gets a bunch of shot glasses. I pour the tequila and fill each one up while Juniper cuts some limes and grabs the salt.

“To tonight,” I say, holding up my shot glass. “To the wedding. To summer. To hot sex. To friendships. May we all be blessed with fun times and fun guys.”

“Cheers,” Juniper says, and we all down our shots.

As the warm liquid ripples down my throat, I start to feel myself perk up a little bit, but for some reason, I’m still a little deflated. I shouldn’t be. But all the years of Luke choosing his job and everything else above me come crashing into my head.

I’ve always been the faithful friend. I’ve always been there for him—supporting him through high school, college, grad school, when he got his job at that hedge fund. Even when he stayed in New York City summer after summer and Christmas after Christmas. I even downplay how hurt I am that I haven’t seen him in years. But now, I can feel my anger threatening to bubble over. I know I can’t let it bother me. Not until we get through the summer.

But once the summer romance is done and the wedding season is over, I am going to tell him how I really feel. He is my best friend, but I am fed up with him not treating me like his.

I feel like an option and not someone he is choosing. I feel like the friend who is always there, the one he takes for granted, not the one he goes above and beyond for.

chapter seven

Luke

Luke: My plane just landed. I will see you soon.

Mia: Okay.

Luke: Cat got your tongue or in the middle of baking me a welcome-home cake?

Mia: You wish.

Luke: Another short response from my talkative bestie. Still mad at me?

Mia: Getting ready to go to the engagement party with the girls. Crazy level: 99/100.

Luke: Not due to our love match, I hope?

Mia: Nope. We’re all just trying to look hot for all the men tonight.

Luke: Um, did you forget you’re taken, Mia Bishop?

Mia: Ha-ha. Doesn’t mean I can’t look for when we break up.

Luke: Ouch, already planning on the end, eh?

Mia: No, but I am looking forward to finally meeting my Mr. Right. Not my Mr. Fake Right. :P

Luke: BRUTAL!

Mia: Just being realistic. I hope we can pull it off for even the two weeks, seeing as we haven’t been able to discuss in person … yet …

It is apparent to me that Mia is far more pissed than I initially thought when I spoke to her previously. Staring out the window at the familiar structure of the Coconut Beach Airport makes me smile. I am back home. Even if it is for Rex’s wedding. I am still excited to see everyone, especially Mia. I’ll have to buy a bunch of books from her mobile bookstore to make it up to her.

The sky is a clear cerulean blue, and I can smell the salt in the air as I deplane.