Page 44

Chapter Forty-Four

IZZIE

A gainst my better judgment, I let Jackson walk me to my room—we’re staying on the same floor. I agreed to have dinner with him, Grayson, and Frederico, but I had to change. That resulted in round number two.

Jackson is now chilling on my bed, watching TV, while I finish putting on makeup. I can’t believe how domestic we’re acting when, a couple of hours ago, we weren’t even a couple.

I freeze, but my heart beats faster. I’m in a relationship with Jackson. I suppose the change in status quo hasn’t sunk in yet.

“Izzie?” he calls me from the room.

“Yes?”

“The guys are in the hotel bar already. What should I tell them?”

I walk out of the bathroom, putting my earrings on. “What do you mean?”

He gives me an elevator glance that makes my pulse accelerate. It’s like he’s undressing me with his eyes. “You look stunning.”

“Do you like the dress?” I run my hand down the fabric. It’s cerulean blue with a cinched waist and a flowy skirt that hits mid-thigh.

His brows arch. “Do I like it? Yes, gorgeous, I like it very much.”

My face warms. I smile. “Thanks. It has pockets.”

He laughs. “Why do women always say that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“Anyway, what should I tell them?”

“Wait. They don’t know I’m coming to dinner?” My voice comes out high and squeaky.

“No.”

“Oh.” Disappoint washes over me. Maybe Jackson and I aren’t really a couple.

He gets out of bed and walks closer. “I didn’t want to tell them about us before I checked with you first.”

I feel relieved, and that makes me realize something important. I was a fool for believing I could shut off my feelings for Jackson. Even if I had remained strong and not given in, my heart would never have escaped unscathed. But now there’s no turning back. I want to take the plunge with him.

“What do you think we should tell them?”

A glint of mischief shines in his eyes. “Chad and Jane were pretty confident that their plan would work.”

“True. Annoyingly so.”

Jackson smirks. “Would you be opposed to the idea of pretending their plan failed, and we can’t stand each other now?”

A zing of excitement goes through me. “Pretend for how long?”

He snakes his arms around my waist. “Just until the wedding.”

“Hmm… I’ve never lied to Jane before, but she did keep her relationship with Chad a secret from me for months.”

“Are you saying you’re game?”

It’s impossible to resist him when he uses his boyish charm on me. That’s just one of his superpowers. Sex god is the other. “Yes, I’m game. But that means Grayson and Frederico can’t know either.”

“I know.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t go to dinner then.”

Jackson pulls me closer. “Hell no. You’re coming.”

I tilt my head. “How are your acting skills?”

“I did theater in high school.”

“Shut up. You did not!”

“I’m not lying. I swear it.”

“Then why do you have that shit-eating grin?”

He leans down and kisses me nice and slow, making my toes curl. When he pulls back, I’m a little dizzy. “Because you don’t believe me, and I’m about to prove you wrong.”

I step back, needing some distance before I combust on the spot. “Fine. For our plan to sound believable, maybe I should head down to the bar first and pretend I didn’t know they’d be there. The idea to invite me to dinner has to come from them.”

“That’s perfect. How much of a head start do you need?”

“Fifteen minutes?”

He steps into my space again and rubs a thumb over my lips, sending chills of need down my back. “You got it, gorgeous.”

Damn it, Jackson. Stop making it harder to leave this room.

* * *

JACKSON

I’m feeling pretty smug as I head to the hotel bar, but that vanishes when I see Izzie sandwiched between Grayson and Frederico, completely at ease. I’ve known the guys for a long time, and I can tell from miles away when they’re being extra charming.

Fuckers .

I’m supposed to pretend I don’t like seeing Izzie there, but now that I’m annoyed with my friends, my scowl is genuine.

Frederico is the first to notice my approach. “Hey, Darcy’s here.”

Izzie looks in my direction, and bang, my heart takes off, pounding so hard it feels like there’s a stampede happening in my chest.

“What is she doing here?” I ask.

Izzie’s spine becomes tense. “Excuse me?”

“Geez, Jacks, will you relax?” Grayson takes a sip of his drink.

“Izzie came a day early, and we just ran into each other,” Frederico replies.

“Why are you giving him an explanation?” She turns to my friends. “He doesn’t own the bar.”

I narrow my eyes. “If you’re here to pester me about the damn Sevillanas, you’ve wasted your time.”

She snorts. “As if I care if you crash and burn at the reception.”

The corners of my lips twitch up, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to prevent a smile. Luckily, Grayson and Frederico aren’t looking at me.

Izzie’s annoyed expression doesn’t waver. She’s better at pretending than I am.

“Oh darling, you wish I’d make a fool out of myself. That won’t happen.”

“Okay, let’s get Jackson a drink, STAT.” Grayson signals the bartender. “Another IPA for my friend here.”

The plan was to have a drink at the bar and then head over to the restaurant. But that means watching my friends flirt with Izzie. They’d never go after her, but they know their antics would annoy the fuck out of me.

“I don’t want a drink. Can we head to the restaurant?”

Frederico shrugs. “I’m good to go. How about you, Izzie?”

She’s drinking some kind of martini, either chocolate or expresso. The glass is almost empty, and she finishes the drink before replying, “Sure. I’m ready.”

“Wait—you invited her to join us?” I raise my voice on purpose, earning a few curious glances. Maybe I should take the theatrics down a notch.

Grayson stares me down. “Yes, Jackson. We invited Izzie. Stop being such a child.”

If this wasn’t a ruse, I’d take offense. My friends’ reactions to my antics are amusing as fuck though. But my enjoyment vanishes when Izzie stands up and Grayson and Frederico check her out. I want to punch them both in the throat for ogling my girlfriend.

“You two go on ahead. I’d like a word with Izzie… alone ,” I say.

They trade a look, then both glance at Izzie. “Are you okay with that?” Grayson asks.

Jesus. When the hell did they turn into her bodyguards?

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Grayson gives me a warning glance that tells me I should behave. I keep my expression neutral.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” Izzie asks when they’re gone.

I step into her space, wrapping my arms around her tiny waist. “Nothing. I just wanted to do this.”

I’m kissing her before she can stop me. PDA isn’t a smart idea when we’re pretending to hate each other, but after seeing my friends get bent out of shape defending her, I have to remind her that she’s mine.

After a while, she pulls back. “Jackson… what are you doing?”

“Sorry, gorgeous. I’m having withdrawals.”

Her cheeks turn pink. “Well, you’d better control your urges, or your friends will discover our secret pretty quickly.”

I caress her face. “Right. This should get me through dinner.”

“Good.” She steps back. “Let’s go before they come back to rescue me.”

I clench my jaw. “They totally would.”

She arches a brow, and her lovely lips curl up. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

“No,” I reply, but it sounds more like a growl.

Shaking her head, she laughs, and it’s a glorious sound. I want to bottle it. I didn’t realize how hard it’d be to pretend I hate her when all I want to do is touch and kiss her.

Dinner will be torture.