Every Girl Does It(28)

“You’ll see,” he says rather gruffly before ordering for us. We decided before we left to let him do the talking since my voice would be a dead giveaway.

Dinner is quite pleasant and uneventful. That is until, “Hi! Um, like I saw you guys out at the pool. Do you, like, remember me from before?”

“Oh, how could we forget?” Preston answers annoyed. “You’re the one who doesn’t know geography.”

I choke on my water.

“Oh, well,” she says twisting her hair around her finger. “It’s like, why would I even care when I have GSP?”

“You mean GPS?” Preston asks.

“Yeah, whatever. So look...” The girl is now rather close to us and let's her voice go down into a whisper. “I know you guys are, like, famous and all and whatever, but we’re having this, like, party at our room, and it would be super awesome if you could stop by.” She drops a piece of paper on the table with her room number and saunters off.

“I fear for America,” I say as he picks up the piece of paper.

“To our future.” Preston laughs as he lifts his wine glass to mine in a toast. Grinning, I think back on the odd day we’ve just experienced.

“Um, sorry to bother you,” the waiter says as he approaches our table. “But these were sent over for you, compliments of them.” He points to Kristin and Brad as he takes two glasses of champagne off his tray.

“There’s also a card.”

I look at Preston and stifle a smile as he reads the card aloud, “From your biggest fans.”

I burst into laughter, but quickly feel bad as I see the hurt expression on Kristin’s face. So I pick up my champagne glass and make a toast to her. She returns the toast with a giant smile.

“They’re going kill us when they find out, “I say through clenched teeth.

“Who says we’re going to tell?” Preston smiles as he pays the bill. He has cash on him so we didn’t have to worry about debit cards with the wrong names. That would be a fun headline: Brad Pitt – Identity Thief.

All of a sudden I hear clanking around the restaurant and turn to see everyone hitting their drinks with pieces of silverware and looking towards us.

“They want us to kiss,” Preston says, laughing.

“What do you mean? Why?” I’m now in a full state of panic.

“I don’t know, but that’s what the clanking means. Are you going to let down your fans or accept the challenge, Miss Angelina?”

“Watch this," I say with bravery I never knew I possessed. I throw down my napkin, march over where Preston is sitting, and pull him by his shirt toward my face. I don’t hesitate before crushing my lips across his, using all the experience I have to make this the best kiss he’s ever received. I was ready for my own reaction. I mean, the boy can kiss, but what I’m ready for is his response to my little public display.

Instead of letting me go and releasing the kiss early, Preston pulls me into his lap and kisses me harder than I’ve ever been kissed in my entire life. And every part of me wants to hate it, but instead I find I feel warm and tingly all over. It has to be the champagne; although, now that I think about it, I only had a sip.

He releases me, his green eyes smolder, and he whispers into my ear, “Told you so.”

“What?” I’m breathless.

“I told you so. That you’d kiss me before the end of the vacation.”

“That doesn’t count,” I say, trying to keep the smile on my face.

“Does to,” he argues.

“Does not!” I say louder, and then realize everyone is still staring. Leaning forward, I kiss him again on the cheek and then saunter back over to my side of the table. “It was for the people. Not for you.”

“Weird. Because that kiss felt like it was for you.” He clasps my hand within his and leads me down the stairs onto the beach.

“Nope. I’m a good actress, remember? Golden Globe nominated."

“Are you sure about that?”

No, I'm not quite sure. Did she win? I shake my head and sit down in the sand. I need these painful shoes off now.

Preston sighs and helps me with the strap, which is caught on my dress. He pulls off both shoes and then hands them to me. I snatch them from his clutches and watch as the waves loudly crash onto the shore.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, looking at the majestic ocean.

“I agree,” Preston answers as I turn to meet his face, only he isn’t staring at the ocean.

“Smooth,” I say, lifting an eyebrow. “Exactly how many movies have I seen the male lead do that? Oh, let me think. All of them.” I’m now pointing at him with my finger.

“Says the girl whose being wooed,” Preston replies as he scoots closer to me.

“That,” I say, continuing my judgmental point. “Wasn’t wooing. That was stealing. Be original.” I cross my arms. Wait, it sounds like I just ask him to pursue me.

“Your wish is my command.” Preston jumps to his feet and trots toward the wetter sand.

“What are you doing?” I yell. Apparently, I'm going to have to chase after him if I want to know.

“I’m going to build you a castle,” he answers as if it’s a normal response.