Gabby
A large gong sounds, and Cain addresses us all. "Welcome, employees of Saxby and Saxby Advertising, and welcome partners. I hope the flight was comfortable. Tomorrow we'll start the activities, but tonight is for relaxation and rest. You'll need it."
As the crowd politely chuckles, a pit forms in my stomach, knowing I'll have to endure countless activities with the other couples while pretending to be Aaron's girlfriend. My mind races with anxiety, picturing each moment I'll have to ‘fake’ my feelings for the sake of this charade. All so he can win back the woman he really loves.
"Pre-dinner cocktails will be served at six. Please do not be late."
Once we finish our drinks, we're shown to our quarters. The room is large, its walls echoing the same azure hue as the sweeping ocean we flew over to arrive here. Glass double doors open onto a quaint balcony, offering a slice of tropical paradise just within reach. Inside, the main space features a luxurious king-sized bed and a plush couch, while an attached walk-in closet boasts ample room for our belongings. A door from the room leads to a shared bathroom, designed for use with the adjoining suite.
I place my suitcase on the bed and begin unpacking, attempting to divert my attention from the stark reality of there being only one bed in the room. Yet, no matter how hard I try, my thoughts keep returning to the idea of sleeping next to Aaron and the vivid images that accompany it. It feels absurd, I'm aware of that. Yet, it's a cruel twist of fate—I'm pretending to be the woman I yearn to be for him. How am I supposed to move on and get over him when each forced laugh and every orchestrated touch serves as a painful reminder of the relationship I'll never have with him?
Despite our 'just friends' label, the longing I harbour for him is unshakeable. Each item I extract from my suitcase transports me back to that shopping trip with my girlfriends at home. I remember the extravagant splurge on new lingerie, a frivolous purchase now mocking me with its silent promise of what could be. If only this week of playing the devoted girlfriend was reality. If only I wasn’t here to stoke the flames of Jenna-Lee's jealousy. Every moment is a tug-of-war between the charade we're playing and the reality of my feelings—an emotional paradox I must navigate with a brave face and a breaking heart.
Aaron clears his throat. "So, I'll take the couch, and you can take the bed. Unless you want to share.”
I look up from my suitcase, my heart racing at the possibilities his words suggest. I meet his gaze, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe when I think I glimpse a flash of heat there. Immediately, my body responds to what it thinks is a suggestion, a flush sweeping across my skin and my nipples tingling and tightening against the lace of my new bra.
Suddenly, Aaron turns away from me, breaking the spell. I look back at my suitcase, trying to steady my breathing, but it's too late; my body is already buzzing with anticipation of something I will never have.
As disappointment and confusion swirl within me, I try to shake off the desire and longing. I shouldn't be imagining that he wants me. He has never looked at me that way before, not in all the years we have known each other.
"Probably best if you sleep on the couch,” I say. “I've been told I talk in my sleep."
He nods. "We still have a couple of hours before dinner. Do you want to take a walk?"
"I'm kind of tired. I might try and get some sleep."
And hopefully sleep off the idiotic fantasy I had a moment ago that he wanted me.
"Okay. I need some air. I'll be back before six, so we can go to dinner together," he says and leaves the room.
As soon as the door shuts behind him, I sigh in relief. The thought of pretending for a whole week for Jenna-Lee is already exhausting.
After finishing the unpacking, I lie down on the bed, trying to get some sleep, but two questions keep playing in my mind. Will I ever get over him? Can anyone ever compare to him?
The question intensifies the heavy dread in my stomach, amplifying my anxiety as I envision the emotional wreckage this charade will leave behind.
Aaron
As I walk along the beach, I wonder what the hell is wrong with me. For some reason, I can't stop seeing Gabby differently today. The best I can do is hope it's some momentary madness that I'll get over quickly. I never want to complicate what we have with sex. Sleeping with her would blur the lines of our friendship, and I can't risk that.
"Aaron," a voice says, and I turn to see Jenna-Lee sitting on the sand in a black bikini by herself. If she hadn't said my name, I would have walked right by her.
"Where's August?" I ask her, dropping down beside her.
"Recovering. You'll be happy to know he doesn't have your stamina."
"That's too bad. For you." I smirk.
"Don't sound so pleased. Where's Gabby?"
"Sleeping."
"Shouldn't she be out enjoying a walk with you? You two usually don't leave each other's sight."
"We don't do everything together."
Jenna-Lee scoffs. "I'm surprised she let you out of the room."
"Why?"
"She's been in love with you for how many years?" Jenna-Lee says.
I can hardly dispute it now, after what I said earlier today, but Jenna-Lee doesn't know anything. She's always gone on about Gabby being in love with me, and how I've been blind to it. I've denied it every time. Sure, Gabby is in love with someone, but it isn't me. Jenna-Lee has been convinced though, and she's not the only girlfriend I've had who's thought the same. I would know if Gabby Striker was in love with me, wouldn't I?
"So?" I say to Jenna-Lee.
"So, you're sitting here on Heaven's Isle with your ex-girlfriend. I wonder what she would make of that.”
"I wonder what August would make of you sitting here with me.”
Suddenly, a dark shadow looms over us both, and I don’t have to wonder any longer because my nemesis is here in the flesh.
"I've been looking for you, Jenna-Lee."
"I've been enjoying the view here with Aaron.”
August gives me a dirty look. "Where's Gabby?"
"Back at the house.”
"That's too bad," August says, his smile unpleasant and his eyes cold. "Tell her to save a dance for me later."
"You can ask her yourself," I tell him, with equally cold eyes. "I know what she'll say."
Dinner and dancing on the first night on the island have been a tradition for as long as I've been coming to Heaven's Isle. I'll have to warn Gabby of August's intentions. I've already told her everything about August and our competition, but August will try to get his hands on her just to piss me off.
"You'll save a dance for me, won't you Aaron?" Jenna-Lee asks.
"Of course," I tell her.
August smirks. "I'm sure we can swap partners for at least one dance."
Damn it, this is going to be even trickier than I thought. If I pursue Jenna-Lee, then I'll leave Gabby vulnerable to August’s attentions.
“Jenna-Lee, let’s take a walk,” August says.
Jenna-Lee huffs out a breath, but stands up anyway. She turns to me and smiles seductively. “I’ll look forward to the dance you promised me.”
“What were you doing with him?” August growls, his voice carrying on the wind.
As August and Jenna-Lee walk away, I smirk, realizing their relationship isn't as strong as they want it to be. I know August will mess things up soon, and I'll be ready to take advantage of the situation. Not that I’m thinking of Jenna-Lee as a prize; I love her, I’m sure of it.
I walk back to the room, hoping Gabby is awake now. As I enter the room, I see that she's getting dressed.
“You’re back,” she says, smiling at me. “Zip me up.”
She turns around in the black cocktail dress she’s wearing, exposing the curve of her long, graceful neck and her back. Immediately, my hands twitch with the desire to touch her, to stroke my hands over her body, and trail kisses down her neck. Damn it, what is wrong with me? Shouldn’t I be thinking about Jenna-Lee?
"Did you sleep?" I ask her.
"I tried. I ended up reading a book instead." She turns around once the zip reaches the top. "Thanks. How was your walk?"
"I ran into Jenna-Lee," I say, trying not to admire the way the dress fits her like a second skin. "I think our plan is working."
"Oh?" She walks into the bathroom. "That's great."
"Well, it was a great plan," I call after her.
Gabby
I look at myself in the bathroom mirror and ask my reflection, "How could you be so stupid?"
If the plan works, and it seems like it is, what will happen when Jenna-Lee realizes she wants Aaron back? What will happen to me if they can't keep their hands off each other?
I know Aaron won't leave me high and dry, but I hadn't thought it through. Will I have to fake a break-up with him?
Then there's the fact that Jenna-Lee doesn't like me. She sees me as a threat, and coming along this week as Aaron's fake girlfriend isn't going to help my cause with her. Will she try to stop Aaron from spending time with me? Will I see less of my friend? Will he decide to marry her?
Things are changing, and they're changing too quickly. My friendship with Aaron has reached a turning point. He's fallen in love for the first time, and I've decided to start dating seriously and look for someone to share my life with. Our friendship has been a constant for so long, but now that it's shifting, I feel unsteady and uncertain about everything.
I finish freshening up my makeup and walk out of the bathroom. I look away when I see Aaron taking his tee-shirt off, not wanting to feel the pangs of desire that will remain unsated. I search for my purse in the wardrobe, and when I find it, I turn back around and see him buttoning up his shirt.
He looks at me, inclining his head and studying me intently for a moment. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Why?"
"I don't know. You look sad."
"Damn, I was hoping for nice."
His eyes soften a bit. "You look beautiful, Gab, but something's up."
He always sees through me so easily.
"Are you ready?" I ask him, needing to get out of here. There are tears pricking the backs of my eyes. If I start crying, he’ll want to know why, and I don’t know how to explain the grief I’m feeling.
He crosses his arms, showing off all those muscles of his. “You’re holding out on me again.”
I try to laugh off his assumption. “What are you talking about?”
“Something is wrong, but you won’t tell me. Just like you wouldn’t tell me about your mystery man.”
I scoff, but my heart clenches when I see hurt flash in his eyes. “I’m not trying to hold out on you, Aaron. I just…”
“You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you.”
“Who?”
“The guy you’re in love with.”
I force a smile. “You caught me.”
He studies me, concern clear in his features. “He’s got a hold on you.”
“I’m trying to break it.”
He holds out his arm, and when I reach for it, he takes my hand and places it on his arm, guiding us out the door. “Maybe you should tell me about him.”
I give him side-eye. “I thought you were going to help me forget about him.”
“I thought that was the right move. But maybe you can’t move past him until you confront it once and for all. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t tell me about him. I want to know. I care.”
“Aaron… I appreciate it, I do, but… I just want to forget him. Let’s try to have a nice night, okay.”
He looks reluctant to let it go, but eventually he does, and we walk out.
And I try to put my game face on.