Fake Engagement, Real Temptation

She looked him in the eyes over her pineapple drink—literally, she was drinking out of a whole pineapple.

“Well I thought we were going to fake this relationship until we left,” she answered.

“No, I mean fake it with Kevin.”

She frowned. Today had been a doozy. What with having sex in front of Kevin and in public. But they’d steered clear of the couple from hell since then and had spent a nice time at the happy hour cabana.

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m not faking anything with him.”

“Oh no?” Blake asked. “What about you going to work with him still? Sell his purple shit?”

She grinned.

What Kevin called the “painting of his life” was chalked up to “purple shit” in Blake’s book. But the root of his question was a serious one.

“It’s my job,” she said honestly.

“Working for your ex, letting him walk all over you?”

“He’s not walking all over me,” Carrie defended.

“He uses you for your convenience,” Blake said. “And now—”

“Now, we’re friends”—sort of, not really—“and we’re not together, so it’s fine.”

“I can’t save someone who keeps throwing themselves into danger,” he said.

Carrie’s eyes shot up. “I don’t need you to save me.”

“Clearly,” Blake said with a scoff.

That got her blood boiling. “I’m not some weak, weepy woman that can’t handle herself. No matter what you or my brother think.”

“Me and your brother want you safe and happy. You keep putting yourself in these situations, and it’s never going to get better.”

“What the hell is your problem?” she asked him. Where was this coming from? “You lecture me about being strong? About putting myself in situations? What about you?”

He frowned. “What about me?”

“No one forced you to come here.”

“Actually, your brother told me not to leave you alone.”

“You’re still your own man. You want to save me? When you’re the one constantly running?”

“That’s not true.”

“Oh no? You forget that I may not have been your best friend growing up like my brother was, but I know enough. I know your mom’s death haunts you. I know you run from it. And I know that you put yourself in situations all the ti

me to be a hero, still to this day. So don’t lecture me on the situations I put myself in.”

“Do you even know what you’re fighting for?” Blake asked her. “Do you love your job? Is it what you want to do with the rest of your life? Because if not, then you wonder what your happiness is worth.”

“I’m still figuring out my worth,” she said quietly.

He sighed and held her hand. “Look, I just want you to think about this. He’s offering to work with you after leaving you before your wedding. I think the man gets some sick joy out of seeing you weakened. Which is why he’s trying to keep you that way.”

“I know,” she snapped. Because she did know. And yes, it was still painful. Made her feel inadequate in a lot of ways. “But it’s not like I’ll have to see Wendy, and honestly, Kevin won’t keep her around for long anyway. The mystery is shot, and he clearly can’t commit, so it’s fine. I can handle it,” she said, trying to reassure herself. She took another long swallow of her drink and stood. “We want different things,” she said, and it had never sounded more true and more brutal.