You’re not even technically dating Briggs,I reminded myself.
“So, is the rumor true?” Faith asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
We were in the hotel elevator together, heading upstairs. I had just finished eating breakfast, and I wasn’t sure what Faith had been up to so far today. She was so busy planning everything for this week, but she was also practically glowing with happiness. Faith loved to plan events. Being organized was a way of life for her. Plus, she was gearing up to marry her soul mate. So, it was no wonder that she was so content.
“Is what rumor true?” I asked, blinking slowly as I tried to guess what she was referring to. I hadn’t had a chance to talk with her one-on-one since we came to the island.
“About you and Briggs? Your mom told mine that you guys were dating. When did that happen?”
“Oh, that.” I smiled, knowing that I could trust Faith with the truth. “It’s just a way to get Mom to stay out of my love life. You know she’s trying to set me up with Cole Higgins?”
“No way!” she gasped. “He goes through women faster than any man I’ve ever seen.”
“Of courseIknow that, but my mom doesn’t hold much stock in what she considers to be ‘ugly rumors.’ She thinks I’m just being too picky or something.”
“It really is a shame,” she said, shaking her head. “Cole’s a good-looking guy. He could easily find a woman to spend his life with if he’d just get his head out of his ass.”
“Well, whoever he ends up with, it won’t be me.”
“Wait, I don’t understand.” Faith frowned. “How does Briggs factor into this?”
I bit my lip. “Well...he’s myfake boyfriend.At least for this week.”
There was a moment of silence between us before Faith burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you’re pretending to be in a relationship to trick your mom?”
“Yes, I am,” I admitted. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out into the hallway, making sure no one was around before I continued in a low voice, “And don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“Of course, I won’t,” she agreed easily. “But why did Briggs agree to this?”
I shrugged. “He’s just helping me out. The whole thing was his idea.”
“That’s interesting...”
She didn’t elaborate, and I wondered what she meant by that. But a door opened nearby and Uncle Dean stepped out of his room. He smiled when he spotted us lingering in the hallway.
“Everything okay, girls?” he asked.
“Yep.”
“Sure thing.”
We answered at the same time, both of us smiling broadly. Uncle Dean furrowed his eyebrows, obviously picking up on the fact that we were hiding something, but he just shook his head and walked over to the elevator doors, pressing the button.
“I’ll see you guys downstairs.”
We both nodded in agreement, then headed down the hall in the direction of our rooms, which were next to each other. The elevator returned, and Uncle Dean stepped inside. When we were alone in the hall again, Faith returned to the topic of Briggs.
“You know, you should invite him to come with us today.”
“Really?” I asked.
Faith and Michael had planned a family day for us, so it hadn’t occurred to me to bring him along. Cole wouldn’t be there, which was a relief, but my mom would be.
“Why not? If you’re going to pretend to be a couple, go all the way. It’s fine.”
“You’re sure?” I asked, as we came to a stop outside of her door.
“Absolutely. Now, get ready. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”