“Honest.” Julia shrugged. “I told Luke the truth. Explained I was the one writing the review for TrendList.”

“Did you explain why you kept that fact hidden?”

“I didn’t actually get to that part,” Julia admitted. “But things ended in disaster anyway, so I don’t think it really matters.” Her throat felt tight, voice clipped.

“Oh, that man is going down.” Andie punched her fist into her palm. “I warned him not to hurt you,” she seethed.

“Relax, Justice League.” Julia reached out and patted her friend’s knee. “It’s my own fault for getting carried away.”

“But isn’t that the point of this whole experience?” Andie stood. “To get carried away?”

“As long as we still remember it’s a game,” Kat said quietly.

“Some of us allowed our feelings to seep into the fantasies.” Julia shared a smile of commiseration with Kat before turning her attention back to Andie, her tone brisk. “I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing; there are exceptions to every rule.” She nodded encouragingly at her friend. “How was your night with Curt?”

Andie collapsed back into her chair with a gusty sigh.

“Someone else have an impromptu sleepover?” Julia prodded.

“He made a bonfire for us.” Andie wrapped her arms around herself. “On the beach.” Her face glowed with the memory.

“I know,” Julia confessed, a playful grin lifting the corner of her mouth. “I saw you two in action.”

“You did?” Andie blushed.

“Oh my God, I didn’t see that,” Julia quickly amended.

“Was that your bonus activity?” Kat purred. “Sex on the beach?”

“No!” Andie’s blush deepened, cheeks turning a bright sunburned pink. “But I did want a romantic night under the stars.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Kat cooed.

“It was.” Andie’s dark eyes shone with affection. “He’s sweet.”

“Are we still talking about Curt?” Julia teased.

“I know he comes across as a doofus, but there’s more to my butter bean than meets the eye.”

“You really like him, don’t you?” Kat asked.

Andie nodded. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m staying for the wedding today.”

“After all the work he did to get you to be his plus-one?” Julia laughed. “I think we’d mind more if you didn’t stay.”

Kat shared a grin with Julia, then paused, frowning, “Do you need us to stick around to give you a ride home?”

“No, I wouldn’t do that to you.” Andie shook her head. “I have no idea how late the reception will go. Besides…” She bit her lip, uncharacteristically shy. “Curt offered to drive me home.”

“Back to Chicago?” Kat asked.

“He said that he’d be happy to do it.” Andie beamed.

“Doesn’t he live in Milwaukee?” Julia wondered. “With his mom?”

“I found out more about that. It really is a temporary situation. He’s building a house and moved back home until it’s finished.”