Page 34 of Fake it for Keeps

I had laughed it off back then, worn it like a badge of honor. But watching Frankie comfort Hallie, seeing how easily she connected with people, made me wonder if maybe Dad had been right.

Maybe I was the devil.

And maybe that wasn’t something to be proud of.

I headed to my stateroom, suddenly needing to be alone. The space was fit for a king, including a massive bed, mahogany furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows showing the dark ocean.

Luxury and isolation wrapped into one.

My phone pinged. I pulled it out, expecting something work-related. Instead, I saw a text from a number I recognized.

Chelsea: Saw the news. You’re engaged?

Chelsea. Blonde, athletic, from South Carolina. We hooked up a few times when she was in the city. She traveled for work—something in pharmaceutical sales—and hit me up whenever she was in town. She was a damn good lay. The woman was very bendy, and I was pretty sure she could absolutely suck a watermelon through a garden hose if push came to shove.

I should ignore it. I was supposed to be reformed. Committed. A man who’d finally found the one.

But old habits died hard.

Me: It’s complicated.

Chelsea: How complicated? Scale of 1-10.

Me: About as serious as you take your tanning regimen.

Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.

Chelsea: Lol. Wow. Want company this weekend?

I stared at the message, thumb hovering over the keyboard. It would be easy. She could meet us at Shelter Island. I could sneak away while Hallie was sleeping. No one would know.

But even as I thought it, I knew I wouldn’t do it.

Not because I cared about Hallie. Not because I was actually reformed.

Me: Can’t. Rain check?

Chelsea: Congrats on the engagement, Colt. Hope she’s worth it. Blocked.

I laughed. Fair enough. Chelsea had always been smart. She knew when to cut her losses.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and moved to the windows, staring out at the black water. What the hell was I doing? I glanced back at my phone and thought about reaching out to Chelsea on her LinkedIn account.

Was I really ready to say goodbye?