Fakecation, page 14
“This is the greatest thing I’ve ever had,” she said, lifting her iced latte.
“The smoothie isn’t bad either,” he replied.
“Thank you for taking me to the park. This was a great date.”
“Do you really think it’s over already? I’m not done with you yet.”
The words sent a shiver down her spine. “R-really? What else is there to do?”
“We haven’t even had dinner,” he said. “Now, would you like seafood or would you like nice scenery?”
“You mean I get to choose?”
“I have a feeling that will make tonight much more enjoyable. Which one will it be?”
“But what about what you want?”
“I will be perfectly happy at either.”
Damn. That was such a good answer that she couldn’t do anything but answer truthfully.
“I want nice scenery.”
“Okay, then. Nice scenery it is.”
The restaurant was the loudest part of the evening, but Daniel found a beautiful eatery inside an old church, so she couldn’t complain.
“I’ve heard of this place,” she said, eyes tracing over the stained-glass windows. “I’ve never been, though.”
“Just like the oak tree, the photos don’t do it justice.”
“Definitely not. I don’t even know if I need the food.” Her stomach growled angrily. “Scratch that. I do need the food.”
Daniel smiled at her, his full grin making her heart skip a beat. She didn’t see him smile like this in the office, and it made her wonder if this was only for her.
“I hear the food here is good too,” he said.
She had to tear her eyes away and force herself to look at the menu. Despite her hunger, she didn’t care to pick out her meal. She’d rather either look at the man across from her all night or the beautiful colors of the stained glass in the restaurant.
There was a new kind of heat within her, and it had nothing to do with the temperature outside. She’d felt it in the hot tub too. She wanted him. She always had, but getting to know him made it all worse.
What would he be like in bed? Would he be as attentive and caring as he’d been for the whole trip? Would he whisper soft words to her while his hands caressed her most delicate areas?
“—do you think, Amelia?”
“Huh?” she blurted out. “Sorry. I was lost in space.”
“It’s fine,” he said. “I was asking if you wanted queso. I was thinking about getting it for us.”
That was the hottest thing he could have said.
“If there is ever a question about getting queso,” she said, “the answer is always yes.”
“Noted. I’ll get the large.”
Their food came out quickly and Amelia didn’t remember eating a single bite of it. She was far hungrier than she thought she was, especially after their stroll through the parks. She was done with her food long before Daniel was, but he seemed content to listen to her ramble about her last few vacations with her family while he finished eating.
“This was great,” she said as he paid the check. “You’re definitely going above and beyond as a fake boyfriend.”
“We have one more place to go,” he said. “If you’re up for it.”
“We saw two of the most beautiful parks in Charleston, plus had a fancy dinner. What else could there be?”
“Dessert. And it’s on the way back to the condo.”
“That is tempting,” she said. “Fine. I’ll take you up on it.”
She expected Daniel to find an artisanal dessert parlor nearby. Charleston was filled with those, but their destination took them farther inland than she was expecting.
“Wait a second,” she said. “I know this place.”
“Really? How odd.”
They pulled into a diner and ice cream parlor, one that Amelia had spent many hours in. Her family had often stayed in Charleston before discovering the condo, and because she had been too young to remember the name of the shop, the details of it faded into the background when their new summer vacation location became Folly Beach.
Its importance to her had faded away too, until now, when Daniel brought it back into her life.
“How did you . . .?”
“I can’t take all the credit. Your mom told me there was a diner-style ice cream shop that you loved. I hoped I picked the right one.”
“This is the exact place.”
“It’s the only one that’s been open long enough for you to come to.”
“Are you calling me old?”
“Kind of. Twenty-eight years can be a long time.”
She couldn’t even be mad. All she could do was look at the place that was long since forgotten.
“Do you want to go in?” he asked after a moment. “We could wait if you wanted to.”
“No,” she said. “I’m definitely ready to go in.”
From the moment she walked in, she was hit with a wave of nostalgia that made her eyes water. They used the same menus, had the same decor, and even had the same gumball machines that she remembered.
“I’ve gotta get a banana split,” she said. “They still have it.”
This place was more crowded than the restaurant, but she was determined to get her prize. Daniel got in line behind her, eyes on the menu. A few kids ran past, making Amelia shuffle closer to him to let them through.
He didn’t even look down, but his arm wrapped around her, pulling her tighter.
She knew the position was better. Her being so close to him made a larger walkway for anyone who needed to get to the napkins or trash can on the wall.
But this wasn't a real date. “I-I should maybe move.”
He finally looked down at her, and she could have melted in his gaze. “I think you should stay right here. Being this close seems perfect on a date.”
“Even a fake one?”
“I’m fine with it if you are.”
And she was. She knew she wouldn’t dare to move away from him. Being next to Daniel like this was becoming her favorite place to be.
They stayed close until they ordered their ice cream. Once she had her sugary treat in hand, it was all she could focus on. She hadn’t had a banana split like this in far too long.
“Thank you for this night,” she said as they walked to the car. “It was amazing.”
“I’m glad. I enjoyed it too. More than you know.” His eyes lingered on her face, and she could have sworn she saw his gaze slip to her lips.
“W-we should head back. It’s getting late.”
He nodded, going around to the driver’s side to get them home. Amelia felt her shoulders sag, but not with relief.
Daniel hadn’t kissed her. That should have been a good thing. It meant their relationship was still fake and they hadn’t crossed any lines.
But she wasn’t happy with that. She wanted more. And now that she’d imagined what his lips could feel like on hers, she wanted to experience it. She couldn’t get her mind off of it, even though she tried.
It was only a thirty-minute drive back, and the whole time, she turned over every moment of their date in her mind, wondering how it could have ended differently. Every moment of it had been perfect, up until she’d put the brakes on things.
They pulled in to the parking lot. Amelia wrestled with her own guilt and got out of the car. She glanced up at the condo, only to see someone poking their head out the front door.
She paused. “My mom’s watching for us.”
“I suppose she is,” Daniel replied. “I hope this isn’t the part of the date where she lectures me for bringing her daughter home past curfew.”
“Or the awkward part where you drop me off at the door.”
“I certainly hope not. I’d have to get a hotel room if I did.” He gave her one last smile before brushing past her to go toward the door.
“Wait,” she said. “I know this isn’t exactly like when you’d drop me off at the door. But technically, we’re supposed to be dating. And if that was a real date, then it was a great one, and I think I’d owe you a kiss at the end of it.”
He blinked, jaw agape.
“Or,” she continued after seeing his reaction, “we can just forget I ever said that and go inside.”
“I don’t think I can,” he said.
“I’m sorry. I made it awkward.”
“No, you didn’t. I made it awkward because I’m standing here like an idiot when I have a woman like you offering to kiss me.”
“It’s only fair. It’s what I would do if . . .” She trailed off. She wanted to do it with no ifs, ands, or buts. She had no idea how to explain it, though. So, instead, she stepped close, looking up to meet his eyes. “Is that a yes?”
Daniel didn’t use words. Instead, he leaned down to press his lips against hers. It was soft, barely explorative, and it wasn’t enough.
That mere brush of lips awoke something in her, and she needed more. More pressure. More time. More everything.
Amelia’s hand wrapped around his neck, and she pressed herself into him harder. She could feel his sharp intake of breath, and she only had half a second to wonder if she was taking it too far before he pushed her against the side of her car.
This was a side of him she’d never seen. He was always quiet and calm, but this . . . this was the hottest thing she’d ever experienced. His teeth nipped at her bottom lip, soon followed by his tongue.
And she quickly realized that he was not only unfairly attractive. He was also a damn good kisser too.
Amelia opened her mouth to him, feeling his tongue brush against hers. He took up every inch of her mind, allowing nothing else to break through.
And then her car alarm went off.
They sprung apart, Daniel reacting quicker than she did. He fumbled with the keys and hit the lock button, silencing the loudness.
It gave her a second to think about what she’d done and realize that they’d just blasted past a boundary that she wasn’t sure was supposed to be broken. She looked at his kiss-swollen lips and wondered if they would ever be the same.
“You know what?” she started. “I think we made our point.”
“Definitely.”
“And we’re good, right? We’re not . . . going to make this weird?”
“Not at all.”
She nodded, grateful that his mind seemed to be right where hers was.
“We should head to bed. I bet we’re tired.”
“Very.”
She rushed up the stairs. She told herself that she wasn’t going to think about that kiss any longer. It was over, and besides, it was only for show.
But she was lying to herself.
***
The next morning, Amelia was very much replaying that kiss in her head when she woke up in Daniel’s arms again.
They hadn’t even gone to sleep near each other. She’d folded herself on the very edge of her side of the bed, and he’d followed suit.
But apparently, they didn’t continue that trend when asleep.
Being near him felt like a new normal, one that she knew would end badly. Rationally, she knew they hadn’t talked about what to do if they found themselves feeling anything for each other. He didn’t know everything about her mental health, and she didn’t know if he was even ready to move on after Lucinda.
And yet, those reasons did nothing to quell her desire for him. His body was hard against hers, and she couldn’t help but notice one part of his body was harder than the rest.
She bit her lip, and her brain imagined exactly what that hardness could do to her. It was easy to imagine him sliding into her, filling her in a way she hadn’t been in far too long.
All of her logic flew out the window and her hips jerked back, eager to feel even more of him.
Daniel’s arm around her tightened, pulling her impossibly closer.
“What are you doing to me?” His voice was rough and low. Her skin broke out into goose bumps.
“I-I could ask you the same thing.”
His grip went slack and he pulled away. “You’re awake?” he asked.
She missed his warmth, but her brain was slowly coming back online. He’d done the right thing by pulling away. She knew that.
But she was disappointed.
“I need to shower,” he said. “Sorry about . . . that.”
“It’s fine. It was bound to happen.”
“Still. I wasn’t thinking.” He got up before she could say anything else. She let out a groan. What would have happened if she’d just kept her mouth shut? Would he have gone further?
And did she want him to?
She got up and went to get a glass of water and take her medicine. She needed to be in top mental condition not to climb him like a tree.
But she was beginning to wonder if she’d do it anyway.
“So, how was your date?”
She jumped and nearly choked on her water. “Mom! Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“Sorry. I just had to ask. You guys were gone almost all night.” She winked.
“You know, sometimes it’s weird that you’re not more protective,” she said as she put her pill bottle back into her purse.
“You’re a grown woman, and I’m happy for you, honey. This was what I wanted for you all along.”
Amelia gritted her teeth. Everything was so complicated right now. She didn’t know how to share in her mom’s excitement over anything.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Is everything okay?”
“You know me.” She shrugged, trying to shake off her bad mood. “I’m not my usual happy self before coffee.”
“I’d say let’s fix that, but we’re out of the free stuff. And we’re only here a little longer, so buying more isn’t worth it.”
“It’s fine,” Amelia said. “I’ll survive.”
“So, how was the date?” her mom repeated. “What did you do?”
“We mostly did what you told him I liked. We went to the Angel Oak tree, and then to Hampton Park, and this beautiful restaurant in an old church—”
“Hold on. You did all of those things? I only told him about one of the pretty trees and ice cream.”
“Yeah, we did all of that.” Her cheeks burned.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Of course I did. It was a perfect date. He even found the ice cream shop we went to when I was little.”
“He did?” Her mom smiled. “Oh, I was hoping it was still open. He has some good detective skills.”
“He’s smart.”
Almost too smart for me. The thought hit her like a truck, and she looked down at her feet.
Her mother caught it. “Oh, honey, don’t get into your own head. You two are adorable.”
“Right,” she said. “I’m sure we are.”
“I think this is the start of something great. Is it too soon to invite him back next year?”
“Mom, I haven’t even told him about . . .” She eyed the door to their room down the hallway. “You know.”
“Something tells me he is going to handle it as perfectly as always.”
“I don’t know if that’s true.”
“Don’t let exes spoil someone better. What’s in the past is over now.”
Was it over when she kept reliving it every time someone was mad at her? It seemed like it would follow her forever.
The door to their room opened and Daniel stepped out, freshly showered. He looked good in his simple T-shirt and jeans.
“Morning,” her mom said, smiling over at him. “Do you two have plans this morning?”
“Not really,” he replied. “Why?”
“We should all go out for breakfast. John and Randy are on a walk, so I have nothing else to do.”
Daniel looked at Amelia, but it was almost difficult to meet his eyes after what had happened just a few minutes ago.
“I’m fine with it,” Amelia said. Maybe her mom could be a buffer for them.
“That’s fine.” He added, “I’m starving.”
“Do you mind if we take your car?” her mom asked.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Do you have your keys?”
“I’ve delegated them to my driver.” She pointed at Daniel. “So far, they’ve never been lost.”
“We had one issue with the car alarm, but that wasn’t my fault.”
Amelia nearly gave herself whiplash turning to him, but he was smiling. “It was a group effort,” she replied, chest loosening at the joke. If he was joking, then hopefully, they were okay—not lost in a pit of their own awkwardness.
Her mom had a restaurant in mind, and she usually had good taste. They got there before the breakfast rush and were seated immediately. The waitress asked for their drinks, and everyone got water, plus Amelia asked for a cup of coffee.
“Yay, life juice!”
“I would think water is life juice,” Daniel remarked.
“Not for me. I’d be so happy if I could live off of only caffeine.”
He raised an eyebrow and scooted her water cup closer to her. “Until you remember you’re thirsty,” he said. “I seem to recall you downing and entire water bottle in one go yesterday.”
“How dare you call me out on that.” But she took a sip of water anyway.
“I’m so glad I’m feeling better,” her mom said. “I would have missed seeing this!”
“I’m glad you are too,” he added.
Amelia looked between the two of them, biting her lip. Hopefully, this didn’t go where it seemed to be going.
“The medication I’m on still helps. I can have things like coffee without getting nauseous.” She lifted her hands up in celebration.
Amelia’s eyes were wide. That was exactly what she didn’t want to happen.
But Daniel didn’t treat it like it was a big deal.
“It’s good that you found that balance. My sister-in-law was on too high of a dose of an antidepressant after their adoption was finalized, and she said she felt numb. She was much more like herself when she lowered it.”
“I didn’t know you knew much about medication, but it’s good you’re so understanding.” Her mom looked at Amelia with an arched brow.
See? her mother seemed to be saying. Nothing to worry about.
“I don’t know the details, but I know it helps her, and that’s what matters.”
