It's a Wonderful Lie

Chapter Twelve

Emery

Despite my reassurance that I was alright on my own, Bennett insisted he walk me back to my room.

Even though it’s getting late, there are still plenty of guests milling about the grounds and lobby as we make our way to the elevators in total silence. I press the button for my floor and we stand next to each other, looking forward at the doors, as the lift rises smoothly.

I rummage my keycard out of my clutch and Bennett places his hand on my lower back once more, like he’s making sure I don’t lose my footing while I’m not paying attention to the empty hallway around me.

“Thanks,” I smile, angling my thumb at my door, “I’ve got it from here.”

He still hasn’t said anything, but before he leaves he leans in and kisses me on the cheek, his lips lingering a little longer than each time he’d previously done it. I can’t help when my body naturally shudders at the unwanted contact, but when he pulls away, the smile on his face makes me feel so guilty.

He looks so happy. Why can’t I be that happy about all this?

It would be so much easier if I was just into Bennett. He’s right about me wanting to settle down. If that’s where he’s at too, it would be so easy for the two of us to just settle down together.

But if I’ve learned anything from the fallout of my time with Merrick it’s that I can’t settle just because I’m ready to settle down. That’s not fair to me or Bennett. Especially Bennett.

I give him a tight smile in return and quickly swipe my keycard to dip inside before he has the chance to say anything.

Looking at the time on my phone, I wait impatiently for around ten minutes before I peek into the hallway and see that the coast is clear. I rush back to the elevator, decidedly needing a drink, hoping he went straight to his room and isn’t hanging around the hotel for me to bump into.

The whole way down I just think about the ridiculousness of this week… and it’s only day two.

The absolute last thing I expected to happen when I signed up to be my sister’s maid of honor was for the best man to confess that he wants the two of us to use our siblings’ wedding week as a trial run for a potential relationship for us.

Well, I guess I should say the last thing I expected was to have a one-night-stand with the father of the groom. But honestly, between the two, I’m more shaken by my time with Bennett so far. Maybe because of our history and the fact that it has never involved any inkling or hint of romance in any way whatsoever.

But I just met Caspian last night. And despite the initial shock that came when I found out who he is—or more specifically, who he’s related to—I still get a tingle when I think of everything we did last night. And not a cringey tingle of regret or disgust. A hot tingle that flashes between my legs and makes my heart race.

Maybe that’s why I choose to walk back into the bar I went to last night, even though it’s early enough that there’s two other bars open in the hotel.

And maybe that’s why I’m not upset at all when I see the strong frame of Caspian’s suited outline—the same sexy outfit I admired on him at dinner—hunched over near where we sat the night before.

In fact, my heart lifts a little at the sight of him.

I know I should turn around and go anywhere else. His son literally just proposed wanting to date me. I absolutely do not need to complicate things further by seeking out more time with this man.

And yet, I can’t help but walk towards him, not a single ounce of hesitation in any of my steps. Until I notice a drink sitting on the bar at the seat next to him and pause, worrying that he’s already found someone else tonight. But I take another step and see that the drink is completely full and it’s… a vodka tonic. My drink.

Without saying a word, I slip onto the backed bar stool and down the entire drink in one go before gently placing the glass back on the counter and letting out a long breath.