Pretending in Paradise Read online

  The resort had workshops, activities, couples counseling, romantic excursions, day cruises, night cruises, and even arts and crafts. The only thing not on the list was an activity for someone flying solo. She stared at a photo of a man and woman smiling as they sat in a hot tub together sipping champagne. The enormity of her current situation hit her at once. If she wanted to make a good first impression with Ronaldo and her new coworkers, Caroline had to make sure Emma wrote the best review of her career, so they’d have to work closely together to fully experience all this resort had to offer. She and Emma were in for a very active trip.

  One hour and several pages of activities later, Caroline called it a night for her research and opened Bejeweled. The mind-numbing trance offered by matching colorful jewels was exactly what Caroline needed to wash away the anxiety she knew would keep her up that night. She played until her eyelids grew heavy.

  The next time she looked at the clock on her phone screen, she was shocked to see it was a little past eleven. Caroline was divided between concern for Emma and the desire to claim the king-sized bed as her own for the night. Emma’s loss. She got up and stretched her tired limbs, but just as she approached the bed, she heard a key card being forced into the lock on the door repeatedly. She walked over and checked the peephole. Emma was cursing on the other side.

  Caroline opened the door and nearly laughed as Emma fell into the room. “Is your key not working?”

  “These things are stupid,” Emma said, tossing the card on the desk just inside the door. “I miss metal keys.”

  “Were you even old enough to travel back when hotels still used metal keys?” Caroline watched Emma sway as she strode to the bed. Emma threw a full Target bag on the mattress and fell down beside it. “Were you at Target this whole time?” Caroline said.

  Emma pulled off her sandals and tossed them across the floor. “No, I was not.”

  Caroline noted her glassy eyes and slow speech. “Where were you?”

  “Is this the role you’re gonna play this week? Controlling girlfriend?” Emma stood unsteadily and began to pull off her dress. The soft fabric got caught around her head and shoulders, leaving her bottom half exposed. Her hot pink briefs were decorated with lemon slices and were very cute, not that Caroline cared.

  “You could play any character you want,” Emma said, but the cloth on her face muffled the words. “Should’ve gone with something cool. Oh!” She pulled the dress all the way off and smiled at Caroline. “Like an ex-pilot who brings her girlfriend to couples resorts to watch her hook up with other people and then prove her ownership at the end of the night.”

  Caroline tried to avert her eyes but there was just so much damn skin on display and Emma’s smile was brilliant, and Caroline was a simple woman who gave in easily when she was tired. She looked from Emma’s cleavage and back to her sparkling, heavy-lidded eyes.

  Caroline forced herself to speak. “Why would I be a pilot?” Of all the questions in her head, somehow that was the first to escape.

  Emma stepped closer. “An ex-pilot, and that’s to add intrigue.”

  She watched Emma step closer still. “I’m not playing a role.”

  “You should try it.” Emma dropped her dress on the floor between them and placed her hands on Caroline’s shoulders. “It’s exciting to make believe you’re someone else for a night. It’ll get you out of your head.” Emma tapped her fingertip to Caroline’s temple and then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Can I ask you a question?”

  Caroline could smell the alcohol on Emma’s breath and pulled back a bit. “Sure.”

  “Are you single?”

  Caroline shouldn’t have answered, or she should’ve at least hesitated, but her answer came out effortlessly. “Yes.” She swallowed harshly before repeating, “Yes, I am.”

  Emma looked thoughtful before speaking again. “I’m partially surprised by that. You’re annoying but you’re also very attractive.”

  Caroline felt her cheeks warm, but the reaction could’ve been from flattery or discomfort. “Thanks, I think, and as nice as this chat has been, I think it’s time for you to get to bed.”

  “I think we should sleep together.”

  “What?” Caroline said, her voice breaking and squeaking from shock.

  “I was at the bar tonight, and there was this redhead. Holy shit, she was stunning. I started talking to her, and I could tell she was into me and her husband was into it, but I just kept hearing your terrible voice in my head. So, I downed a couple more shots and boom,” she said with a snap of her fingers. Caroline flinched at the sound in her ear. “It dawned on me. We could fuck, and that won’t derail anything.”

  “You’re kidding.” Caroline wanted to rewind time and avoid this entire moment. What the hell is happening and where is the hidden camera? “You don’t like me, and we work together.” She felt her stomach roll at the what-ifs this situation presented. She had gone down this road once, and that was enough. Not that she was even considering Emma’s drunken proposition. “Think about why I’m here. It would derail everything.”

  “I don’t have to like you, and we barely work together. We’re in completely different departments. Once I get back on Ronnie’s good side, we’ll probably never see one another again. It’s a great plan.” Emma brought her hands up to frame Caroline’s face.

  Caroline’s eyes flew wide open, and she pushed Emma away gently. “Okay, that’s enough. You need to sleep this off.” She nudged her toward the bed.

  “I knew you were super straight.”

  “I’m not—you know what? Stop. Stop it right now. Lie down, get some sleep, and we’ll get back on track tomorrow.” Caroline turned her back to Emma and went over to the cot. She pushed the portable bed to the farthest wall and opened it up. She sat and waited for Emma to finally lie down. The metal beneath her squeaked with every movement she made.

  Caroline started to relax, but her mind was buzzing after everything that had happened. How would she be able to comfortably work with Emma? Her behavior was everything Caroline wanted to avoid at her new position. She wanted to keep to herself, avoid personal relationships, and above all else, not put herself in another circumstance that could end in scandal. And the fact that Emma would make her uncomfortable really pissed Caroline off. Drunk or not, Emma was wrong. And Caroline would definitely address it in the morning.

  * * *

  Emma woke up with a headache and a definite need for a Bloody Mary. She hated being a morning person, especially mornings after binge drinking or rough sex. A body needed rest sometimes, but her body never got that memo. Emma showered quickly and quietly, careful not to wake Caroline, who slept on the cot sitting right outside the bathroom door.

  She considered waking Caroline and inviting her to breakfast, but just the thought of her voice made Emma’s head throb with a new intensity. A quiet, solo breakfast would come first, followed by a round of Tylenol. Then, after some salt air therapy, Emma would be ready to listen to Caroline’s plans.

  She decided against more alcohol and filled herself with sweet coffee and an expertly crafted omelet instead. The caffeine, toast, ham, and eggs quickly absorbed her night out, and Emma started to feel revived and ready for whatever her day would hold. In fact, Emma felt a wave of positivity as she made her way back to the room. She swung the door open and called out to her roommate.

  “Caroline? I hope you’re up and ready to get the day started.” Emma stepped into the room and looked at the cot, relieved when she found it empty. “I hope the maxi-dress I’m wearing is appropriate for whatever you have planned for us.” She picked up the skirt of her colorful dress and swung it back and forth. “I’m wearing a bathing suit under it in case we hit the beach,” she said as she went to check the balcony for Caroline. “Hello?”

  “I’m in the bathroom.” Caroline’s voice came from behind Emma. “But don’t come in here.”

  Emma scrunched up her nose and said, “I wouldn’t dream of it.” She took her phone
out of her small travel clutch and turned back to the beautiful beach view they had from the balcony. She snapped several photos and chose the best one to post to social media. The caption for the photo needed to tease her latest destination. Emma didn’t give away her exact location in order to guarantee unbiased service while avoiding unwanted attention.

  Imagine sharing this view with the love of your life. Emma smiled after she finished typing.

  “Is it hot out?”

  Emma jumped at Caroline’s sudden appearance behind her. “Uh, yeah, it’s Florida in May.” Emma caught her tone and winced. “But it feels nice.” She compared Caroline’s look to her own. Caroline was wearing a form-fitting, cap-sleeved black T-shirt and a black skirt that came just below her knees. “You’ll be cool in the skirt.”

  “It’s actually not a skirt. It’s shorts, well, culottes technically.”

  “No way,” Emma said, reaching out to touch the material, but Caroline stepped away. “I didn’t realize culottes were even a thing anymore.”

  Caroline cleared her throat. “They’re making a comeback.”

  “Huh.” Emma watched Caroline fidget. She may have been acting weird, but Emma didn’t know Caroline well enough to be sure. “Okay. What’s first on your itinerary?”

  “Breakfast.”

  “Oh.”

  “Oh?”

  Emma looked away. “I already ate.”

  “You couldn’t wait for me?”

  “I’m a morning person and a foodie that’s always hungry,” Emma said with a shrug. “I got up really early, and you were still sleeping.”

  Caroline stared past Emma to the ocean. “I’m surprised you got up so easily after last night.” Caroline still wasn’t looking at her.

  “No matter the state of my body, I still get up at an ungodly hour. It’s a blessing and a curse. Especially when I’m traveling.” Emma started to feel a hint of remorse as Caroline stood silent before her, her eyes everywhere but on Emma. “I have an idea. The restaurant downstairs makes breakfast sandwiches. How about I grab you one of those and you secure us some chairs in the sand. We can lounge on the beach while you eat.”

  Caroline regarded her skeptically.

  “I’m sure it’s not on your itinerary, but this is our first morning. Some beach time would be nice. Come on,” Emma said, playfully slapping Caroline’s upper arm. “Those legs need to see the sun.”

  Caroline looked uncomfortable as she stepped away from Emma again. “Yeah, that sounds good. Grab me anything, I just don’t eat meat.”

  Emma knew Caroline was talking, but she wasn’t really listening to her. She was distracted by her body language and tried to figure out what about Caroline’s behavior seemed off. Caroline seemed more uptight, something beyond the tense demeanor she’d had the day before. If Emma had to guess, she’d say Caroline was having a hard time adjusting to traveling.

  “Emma? You got that?”

  Emma looked into Caroline’s expectant eyes and nodded. “Got it. Now let’s go.” She rushed to the door and held it open. She and Caroline walked through the resort in silence until they arrived at a fork in the road. Emma would head to the right for food, and Caroline would turn left for the beach. “Coffee?”

  “Large iced, black with caramel syrup.”

  “Meet you out there in a few.” Emma watched Caroline walk away. Culottes were definitely cute on the right person.

  Fifteen minutes later, Emma sat in her own beach lounger next to Caroline’s and watched as Caroline removed the bacon from her breakfast sandwich.

  “I’m really sorry. I must’ve spaced out when you said no meat.” She grimaced slightly as the final slice joined the rest in the garbage. “When did you decide to be a vegetarian?” she said, watching Caroline wipe the grease from her fingertips.

  “I was fourteen.”

  “That’s young, no? For such a big life decision?” Emma turned her face back up toward the sun. Her large sunglasses would probably leave a tan line, but she’d worry about that later.

  “My aunt’s a vegetarian, and she talked about it a lot when I was younger. I was well-educated before I made my decision. Plus, I could’ve changed my mind at any time. It’s not a permanent decision like a tattoo.” Caroline took a bite of her sandwich and chewed slowly. She swallowed, then said, “Regina, my aunt, was able to sell me on going meatless without sharing any gruesome details about how animals are treated. She’s a natural-born saleswoman.” Caroline smiled warmly.

  Emma knew what that smile was. Caroline was proud of her aunt and the influence she had on her life. Emma knew the feeling well. “My aunt is the reason why I chose my career, too.”

  “Reviewing for a website?” Caroline took another, much larger bite of her sandwich. She appeared to finally be enjoying the moment.

  “Traveling.” A large gust of wind came up and twisted Emma’s dress up around her.

  Caroline touched her own leg. “This is why I’m not wearing a skirt. Nobody needs to see my business, and I’m sure no one wants to, either.”

  Emma looked to Caroline and smiled lazily. “You know that’s not true. I bet a lot of people on this beach would be interested in your business.”

  “Stop that. Right now.”

  Another strong sea breeze came through, and as Caroline tried to stop her sandwich wrapper from blowing away, she knocked her coffee over. Emma jumped up and grabbed napkins from the to-go bag, blotting the large wet spot on her lap.

  She laughed and said, “Good thing this is black. You won’t have to worry about a stain.”

  “Stop,” Caroline said quietly.

  “I mean, you look like you had an accident, but we can—”

  “Stop!”

  Emma raised her hands immediately. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t want you touching me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Emma said, looking around at the few people milling around them and staring curiously. “I didn’t know you don’t like being touched. I’m a tactile person, and I often forget not many people are.”

  Caroline closed her eyes. “It’s not that,” she whispered. She shook her head as she gathered her garbage and stood. An ice cube fell from her lap and landed soundlessly on the sand. She turned away and started to go back to the hotel.

  Emma shook herself into action and jogged to catch up to her. She waited until they were alone on the elevator to ask, “What is it?”

  “Do you not remember last night?”

  Emma snorted. Now Caroline’s behavior made sense. “You’re mad I went to the bar without you? I’m sorry, but I had a really long day, and I just needed a little time to myself and a few drinks.”

  Caroline stared at her blankly as the doors opened. She shook her head and walked off the elevator, leaving Emma alone and behind again.

  Emma smiled politely at a couple who got on the elevator as she stepped off. “Caroline, wait up.” She walked quickly to catch up with Caroline as she swung open the door to their room. Her frustration grew as Caroline grabbed some clothes out of the dresser and locked herself in the bathroom. Emma sat on the edge of the bed and waited for her. She stepped out of the bathroom five minutes later. “All this over some drinks?”

  Caroline crossed her arms. “How many drinks?”

  Emma didn’t care much for her tone, but she decided to keep the peace by answering. “A few shots and something delicious that came served in a coconut.”

  “What did you do when you got back to the room?”

  Emma shuffled through the choppy memories from the night before. “I stripped at some point, so I’m sorry if my sleeping in my underwear upset you.”

  “What else?”

  Emma dropped her head back. She remembered being pissed when she went back to the room because she met some very attractive and willing people at the bar. Caroline should be proud of her, not pissed at her for not sleeping with anyone, which was what she told her last night. She told her how she knew better not to sleep with anyone, and this was right
before…

  Emma’s head snapped up. “Caroline. About last night—”

  “You drunkenly came on to me, Emma, and it made me very uncomfortable.”

  “I am so sorry.” Emma ran her hands through her hair nervously. Trying to sleep with the person your boss sent to babysit you was not a way toward job security. “I get stupid and flirty when I drink that much.”

  “Yeah, you certainly do. Do you realize how bad this could be for you? I could file a harassment suit against you. You’d lose your job.”

  Emma’s skin crawled with embarrassment. “It won’t happen again, I promise. I will not drink like that again for the rest of the trip. Just a drink or two under your supervision.”

  Caroline sighed. “I’m really not here to babysit you.”

  “You are, and I get it. I swear, I have absolutely no desire to sleep with you. What I said and did last night, oh God, I wish I could take it back.”

  Caroline seemed no less uncomfortable. Emma must’ve really crossed a line with her.

  “Please believe me, I’m not a predator. I don’t go around trying to seduce straight women or anyone who’s clearly not interested from the get-go. You’re safe around me and can relax. And if for any reason you find that’s not true, I’ll go with you to Ronaldo when we get back and hand in my resignation. I deserve it.”

  Caroline looked like she was about to say something but nodded instead.

  “Can we please put this horrific incident behind us and move on?”

  “Yes,” Caroline said, looking at the clock on the nightstand. “Especially since we have a couples activity group to get to in ten minutes.”

  “A what? Now?”

  “Activity group. I signed us up last night.”

  “Great,” Emma said drolly. “I guess we’re easing right into things.”

  Chapter Six

  “We’re the only gay couple here,” Caroline whispered to Emma, who was seated beside her in the circle of chairs. She kept scanning the faces of the other six couples around them in the small recreational room. The group leader hovered around. Caroline centered her attention on the questionnaire in her hands. The questions were simple, so why was she so nervous? “Did you hear me?”