Page 5 of Faking it For Summer

“Wow, that’s fast.” Juniper’s eyes search mine, and I shrug. “Wait, I think there’s something on the back.”

I turn the invite over and stare at the note scribbled in bright red ink.

There’s a handwritten note, in neat cursive, and I can’t believe what it says.

You’re invited to the wedding of the summer. We hope you can join us. Mia, it’s a pity you don’t have a date.

“Oh, hell no,” I blurt out loudly, and I hear a low groan on the phone.

My entire body suddenly feels cold, like I just landed in the North Pole and I’m only in my underwear.

People will stare at me, wondering why I’m alone, feeling sorry for me. Coconut Beach loves a good gossip session, and I will be the top headline.

“I take it, you got a rude note as well?” Luke asks as I feel fire burning in my cheeks.

“Your jerk-off of a brother said it’s a pity I don’t have a date.” I’m in shock as I read the note again.

This has made me mad. I will not allow myself to become upset. Rex Haverbrook has never been mine. And we’ve never been close friends, but this note is next-level rude. Now, I know why Luke called me. He must have known about the note.

I take a deep breath and allow the cool salt air to calm me. I may be single, I may not have any options, but I’m sure as hell not going to show up to the wedding festivities with no one. Even if that means going out that very evening and finding a guy at Cocktails & Chaos to play the part. The truth of the matter is that I don’t want Rex. I don’t want to always be the girl who’s never chosen.

“You okay, Mi-Mi?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Your voice dropped in that way it does when you’re upset but hiding it.” His voice softens, and he sighs. “Don’t do anything reckless, Mia.” His familiar tone washes over me and comforts me. I hate that it sparks a warmth in me that has nothing to do with my new idea.

“I’ll show him.”

“What does that mean?” Luke’s voice is oddly sober, and there’s silence on the line for a few seconds. “You’re not going to bring some idiot from the bar, right?” There’s something in his tone that makes my stomach flip, and I strangle out a laugh. “Mia, you have nothing to prove to him.”

“I know that.”

“Mia.”

“What?”

“You deserve better than a revenge date.” He pauses, and I wonder what he’s going to say next.

My heart thuds in anticipation. If I closed my eyes, I could almost picture his bright blue ones staring at me.

“Mia.”

“Fine, I won’t find someone at Cocktails & Chaos.”

“You deserve someone who wants you. Who chooses you first. Who knows how special you are.”

“That would be nice, if only he existed.” Sadness fills me, and I blink rapidly. I will not cry.

The weight of being alone hits me like a dump truck. It’s not even that I really care about Rex. It’s that if he—the one guy I thought would be single forever—is getting married, it means that I may truly be unlovable. There’s a voice in my head telling me I’m overreacting, but his note has stung me to my core.

“There’s another option, you know.”

“What?”