Lounging by the resort pool…
Making out with some rebound redhead.
This is the drawback of living in a resort town:
It’s just too convenient to stay home for spring break!
When Griffin sees me gaping at him, he just laughs.
Then I whirl around to go into my cabana…
Where I almost bump into a broad chest.
The cabana guy grips my arms, steadying me.
Jesse
Whoa there, rich girl.
I look up into Jesse Fulton’s dark eyes.
He goes to my high school…
And wears his resort shirt carelessly untucked.
I don’t exactly run with his crowd…
But I know that all the girls think he’s hot.
When he lets go of me, my heart skips a beat.
I primly pull my bathing suit cover-up tighter around me.
Paulina
Sorry about bashing into you…
Paulina
But I was escaping my ex.
Paulina
Because Griffin is out there canoodling with some girl.
Paulina
It’s obvious he’s just rubbing our breakup in my face!
Jesse
That’s no surprise.
Jesse
Griffin Ridley is a complete jerk.
Paulina
Right? But luckily I’m SO over him.
Jesse
Well, for someone who’s over him…
Jesse
You sure seem pretty worked up.
I plant my hands on my hips.
Paulina
I’m only worked up because I’m ANGRY.
Paulina
Wouldn’t you feel the same way about a jerky ex?
Then sends me a lopsided grin.
And that’s when I realize—
This hot, cocky, cabana guy is flirting with me.
Before I can process that…
Oh yay — Griffin has sent me some texts:
Griffin
See you at the resort club tonight.
Griffin
Unless you run away from me again 😂😂😂
I throw my phone onto a sofa.
Paulina
God, I would LOVE to show him that he doesn’t affect me anymore!
Paulina
If only there were a way he could see that I’ve moved on from him.
I tap my fingers against my hip.
And I start to get a crazy idea.
Jesse is hotter than Griffin could ever hope to be…
I bat my lashes at Jesse.
Paulina
What are you doing tonight?
Paulina
Because I need someone to help me put Griffin in his place.
Paulina
Would you be interested?
He opens his mouth to answer—
But I give him a smile that I hope is dazzling.
Paulina
All you would have to do is hang out with me…
Paulina
And kind of pretend you’re my new boyfriend.
Oh man — he thinks I’m insane.
Actually, maybe I AM insane.
Paulina
Sorry. That was ridiculous.
Paulina
Forget I said anything!
Jesse
It wasn’t ridiculous. It was just…
I hold my breath as Jesse thoughtfully frowns.
Jesse
You’re not the only one who would like to knock Griffin down a peg.
Jesse
He treats everyone at school like dirt…
Jesse
And that includes me and my friends.
Jesse
But I REALLY hate what he’s doing to *you*.
We look into each other’s eyes, and for a moment…
I see something deep and inexplicable there—
Something that confuses me.
Jesse
So about this plan of yours—
Jesse
Do you think Griffin would believe that a rich girl like you…
Jesse
And a poor guy like me…
I look into those dark, sexy eyes.
Jesse looks at me a little longer.
My pulse pounds so hard that it echoes.
Is he going to turn me down?
Ugh — I should’ve just kept my mouth shut!
Jesse
Okay, I’m on board—
Jesse
Let’s take Griffin Ridley down a peg.
As I nervously smooth down my cocktail dress…
I keep my eye on Griffin in the corner.
He’s canoodling with yet another girl…
Hah — just wait for my fake BF to get here, buddy.
At first, I don’t know what’s happening.
But then I shiver, feeling someone standing behind me.
I turn around and suck in a breath.
Or at least, I THINK it’s Jesse.
Wearing a suit that hasn’t been in style for years…
But it’s clean and nice and fits him in all the right places.
His dark hair is slicked back…
And he almost blends in with the fancy people…
Except, of course, for that edge he has.
My heartbeat flutters as our gazes meet.
Jesse
You look gorgeous, Paulina.
I think my heart just exploded.
We’re faking this, just so I can get back at Griffin.
Even so, I give Jesse a huge smile.
Paulina
*You* look amazing.
Jesse straightens his lapels.
Jesse
It’s my dad’s old suit.
Jesse
He wore it when he and my mom got married.
He says it with such love that I melt.
Jesse Fulton is not just hot—
Curious murmurs surround us.
I glance at the dance floor.
Jesse
I was hoping you would ask.
As my pulse pumps, Jesse leads me to the dance floor.
Then he wraps his arms around me.
I sigh, then catch myself.
Hello — this is just an act!
Paulina
Is Griffin watching us?
Jesse
No. He just asked a girl to dance.
Jesse
But don’t worry — we’ll get his attention.
Jesse pulls me even closer.
And I feel like I’m on cloud nine.
Paulina
What is Griffin doing now?
Jesse
He’s kissing the girl.
Paulina
He’s just trying to rattle me.
Jesse
Then let’s rattle HIM.
I look into Jesse’s eyes.
Is he talking about kissing me??
Maybe this is all just an act but…
So I close my eyes, inviting him to go ahead.
And then we come together…
My knees start to wobble…
But Jesse holds onto me in a surprisingly tender way.
Paulina
Never been better.
And that’s when everything goes crazy.
Out of nowhere, Griffin appears.
Griffin
Unbelievable, Paulina…
Griffin
You’ve really lost your mind after our breakup!
Jesse steps in front of me.
Jesse
Go back to your corner, man.
Griffin
You and your cheap suit need to shut it, cabana boy!
Jesse touches his jacket…
And my heart breaks, knowing what that suit means to him.
Griffin
Jeez, Paulina, you sure picked a winner.
Griffin
You do know he’s only with you for one reason—
Griffin
He wants a piece of rich-girl tail!
As everyone giggles, I don’t say anything.
But then I look around me.
And Griffin is the worst of them.
Paulina
Griffin — do you know what I just realized?
Paulina
We might have a lot of money…
Paulina
But Jesse has class—
Paulina
And all the cash in the world will never buy us that.
Griffin starts to run his mouth again—
But I turn my back on him, shutting him out.
We walk outside together.
Jesse’s smile is tentative.
Jesse
You know that Griffin was lying about why I’m here with you…
Jesse
Because the truth is that I’ve liked you for a long time, Paulina.
Jesse
I just never thought…
Paulina
You had a chance?
Paulina
Well, if you kiss me again, Jesse…
Paulina
You’ll have every chance in the world.
He takes me up on my suggestion.
But this time when we kiss, it’s not because we’re faking it—
