“Aria and Forest sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” Carla sings while she leaves the room.
Chapter 3
FOREST
When I’m done unpacking my stuff, I glance around the room I’ll call home for the next four years.
“So, it’s just the two of us with the bunch of girls this year,” Noah suddenly says.
Turning to him, I watch as he leans against the doorjamb. Noah had to add an extra year to his studies to get his masters in accounting because he and Kao, my sister’s fiancé, swapped positions at Indie Ink Publishing. We’ve grown up moving in the same circle, and even though he’s five years older than me, he’s never treated me like a kid. He’s closer with Fallon and her group of friends, though.
“Yeah.” I go to shake his hand. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How was your summer break?”
“What break?” he chuckles. “I had to intern with Uncle Marcus.”
I let out a sigh. “Yeah, that’s my future from now on as well. I need to start training under my father to take over at NextGen International.”
“How’s my future sister-in-law?” I hear Aria ask.
Noah and I step out into the hallway and see Aria hugging Jade. Hunter, Aria’s older brother, and Jade started dating a year ago.
Hunter walks over to us, and throwing his arm around my shoulders, he asks, “Are you all settled?”
“Yeah,” I jab a thumb at my room, “I just finished.”
Hunter glances inside. It used to be my sister’s old room. Then asks, “Has Fallon moved out already?”
“Yes. She and Kao are moving into their place next weekend. She’s staying at my folks until then.”
“Did you bring it?” Aria asks her brother.
Hunter pulls a charger out of his pocket and hands it to her. “How did you even forget to pack it?”
“Shush,” Aria hushes him. “I was preoccupied with the new clothes I got.”
“God,” I mutter. “Yesterday, they shopped until I dropped.”
The guys laugh at my expense as my cousin Jase, Carla’s older brother, walks into the suite with Mila.
Everyone’s still greeting each other when Hunter turns back to me. “Since when are you dating my sister?”
Fuck.
“It’s only pretend,” Aria quickly answers, then she tilts her head and asks, “How do you know?”
Hunter gives her an exasperated look. “You posted it on social media. Kind of hard to miss. You better call Dad before he sees it and has a heart attack.”
Double fuck.
“Oops,” Aria shrugs, pulling an adorable face, which makes her eyes look bigger. “I’ll call to tell him not to worry.”
Hunter turns his gaze back to me. “Why are the two of you in a fake relationship?”
Just then, my sister walks into the suite with her best friend, Hana. “Who’s in a fake relationship?”
“Your brother and my sister,” Hunter answers her.
“Why?” she frowns at me.
“People think Forest has erectile dysfunction, and Aria is done being hit on by assholes. It’s a win-win situation for them,” Carla answers.
Fallon instantly begins to scowl. “Who thinks that?”
“Nobody important,” I answer. “I just don’t want the rumor spreading at Trinity.”
Fallon seems happy with my answer, and she comes to peek into her old room. “Damn, instantly a mancave. You didn’t waste any time.”
Hana, Mila, and Jade get settled in their old rooms, while Aria calls Uncle Mason to explain things to him.
I walk to the kitchen and opening the fridge, I grin. “Who got all the snacks and drinks?”
“The staff keeps it stocked, so you don’t have to worry,” Noah answers. He gestures to a menu. “You can also order in whenever you don’t want to go out for meals.”
“Thanks.” I glance around the suite, taking in the spacious living room and the entertainment system mounted on one wall. Light spills into the suite through the huge bay windows and a sliding door, which leads out to a balcony.
Excitement fills my chest as I think about the year ahead.
Aria walks toward me. “I need chocolate cake after the call with my father.” She stops and yells over her shoulder, “Carla, we’re heading to the restaurant. Are you coming?”
“No.” Carla’s head pops out of her doorway. “I’m going to hang with Jase before he leaves. God only knows when I’ll see him again.”
“Okay. Enjoy,” Aria says, and then she comes to take hold of my hand. “Are you ready for our first decent acting stint?”
“Sure.”
We leave the suite and take the elevator to the lobby. The instant we step out of the building, Aria says, “Give me a quick kiss.”
Leaning down, I press a kiss to her mouth, then I ask, “How often are we going to do this?”
Aria frowns up at me. “Ahh… like all the time?” My eyebrow shoots up, and it has Aria scowling at me. “Damn, don’t I feel special.”
Knowing I have to do some damage control, I free my hand from hers, and wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I pull her into my side. I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Sorry, I just need to get used to the idea of us actually dating.”