Fake-Dating A Star

TWO

The ship was alive with holiday cheer. Strings of warm lights wrapped around railings and columns, glowing wreaths hung in every lounge, and the faint sound of festive music floated from the main deck, where a jazz band was playing holiday classics.

Passengers laughed and mingled, most dressed in colorful holiday attire, their spirits as bright as the lights above. Lila took in the scene, already feeling a little out of place amid the sea of holiday sweaters and sequined dresses.

She had never been one to lean into the whole holiday aesthetic, and she wasn’t about to start now. Her fitted red dress—simple yet flattering—was as close as she’d get to holiday cheer. With her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders and a swipe of deep red lipstick, she looked… good.

Matt, had gone all out for this cruise—he’d planned it to sweep her off her feet, though she still didn’t quite get why he thought a holiday cruise was the answer. They’d been dating for two years now, though they’d known each other since high school. He'd been a goofy kid then with dreams of playing hockey someday while she'd been The rebellious girl in class who was always distracted and sketching at the back of her notebooks.

She was that kid with black nail polish and a weird-ass bucket list that included shagging an actor in a Christmas movie she had seen because she thought he was....cute.

The transition from friends to dating had been smooth, maybe too smooth. Matt was steady and easygoing, he had grown to be a successful hockey player and she had become a tattoo artist in a small establishment. Their relationship had settled into a comfortable rhythm. The holidays seemed like a big deal to him, but Lila’s natural cynicism often put a damper on any grand romantic gestures he tried to make.

Not like she didn't like the whole romance thing, but she felt it was a bit overrated. Their relationship was fine; there was good s*x, they understood each other, they were even planning on moving in together. They didn't need to be dramatic with the gestures and all.

Lila’s phone buzzed, and she glanced down at the message: Bar near the upper deck. Come find me?

She tucked her phone into her bag and wound her way through the crowd, heading for the open-air lounge where they’d planned to meet up. She was secretly grateful for the chance to step out into the night air and away from the festive chaos.

When she spotted Matt, he was leaning against the railing, looking out over the water. The guy certainly had that effortless charm going for him. Tall, muscular, with rugged good looks and an easy smile, he attracted attention wherever he went. His shaggy brown hair and the mischievous glint in his eye made him look younger than his years.

“There you are,” she said, slipping up beside him.

“Hey,” he greeted her with a lopsided smile, pulling her into a casual hug. “Took you long enough.”

She rolled her eyes, leaning into his warmth for a moment. “If you hadn’t dragged me onto this floating winter wonderland, I’d be home, curled up with a movie and a hot chocolate.”

“Trust me, I’m aware of your plans.” He laughed, releasing her but keeping one arm around her slim waist. “But isn’t it kind of amazing? The whole festive vibe and everything?”

She shrugged. It was nice and all, but amazing? Nonetheless, she tried not to be blunt about it. “Fine. I’ll admit it’s… not terrible.”

“Progress,” he teased. “You’re practically glowing with holiday spirit now.”

She nudged him with her elbow. “You keep saying that, and I might just go back to my cynical ways.”

They laughed together, the easy banter between them flowing effortlessly. She let herself relax, wondering if maybe this holiday would be different.

“So,” Matt said, giving her a playful nudge. “Admit it—you’re having fun.”

He was hilarious, trying to hide her smile. “It’s not awful.” She replied.

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. “Good enough for me.”

They ordered drinks and lounged at the bar, enjoying the view of the ocean and the sparkling lights in the distance. Lila felt herself unwinding as the minutes slipped by. For once, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment, the festive decorations, and the music that filled the air with the warmth of the season.

After a while, Matt got up, glancing at his watch. “I’m going to grab my jacket from the cabin. Be back in a sec.”

“Sure,” she replied, watching him disappear through the crowd right before he gave her ass a quick smack.

Smirking, she stayed by the bar, nursing her drink and watching the passengers milling around the deck, her mind finally drifting to thoughts of New Year’s and maybe, just maybe, allowing herself a sliver of hope for the coming year. The music, the lights, even the gentle sway of the ship—everything felt so carefully crafted to make people forget their worries, to embrace the magic of the season.

However, several minutes passed and she began to wonder why Matt was taking so long. She set her glass down, deciding to go after him. As she moved toward the lower deck, she scanned the crowd, weaving past the dancers and holiday revelers, trying to spot his familiar silhouette.

Then, as she rounded a corner, she froze.

Just a few feet away, in the shadowed alcove by the railing, Matt was leaning against another woman. Their lips were locked in a deep kiss and it seemed like they were about to suck each other's face in.

For a second, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. But no—there was no mistaking it. He was there, with someone else, his hands on her waist, his attention completely absorbed. Her breath hitched, her mind reeling as she struggled to process what she was seeing.

The drinks, the holiday spirit, the warmth of the cruise—it all turned to ice in an instant. She couldn’t look away, couldn’t move, her heart pounded painfully in her chest as the realization sank in. Her boyfriend was cheating on her!