I turned up the radio in my car in an attempt to not think about what was on Ryan's mind. He sent me a text last night to come over and talk to him about something-just the two of us. There was no way he could know what happened with me and Jackson, so I knew it wasn't that. I was assuming it has something to do with either the arranged marriage or our personal arrangement. If it was about the latter, I hoped he wasn't planning on changing his mind about it because, unless he learned some new tricks, he was just way too vanilla for me in the bedroom.

I still hadn't picked a wedding dress yet. When I left the store with my mom yesterday, I told her that if I was going to go along with this ridiculous plan, that I was going to wear what I wanted on my "big day". She reluctantly agreed, as long as I ran my decision by her. I knew what she really meant was that Ryan's mother needed to approve-which she wouldn't, because she hated me. Honestly, I don't think she thinks anyone is good enough for her precious son.

I haven't texted or received a text from Jackson since that little fitting room incident. I was curious as to what he was doing, but I was also glad for the little break from the confusing emotions he caused me.

I pulled up to Ryan's apartment and knocked lightly on the door. The smile he greeted me with was a surprise. He either had good news, or he was really playing into the "happy couple" bit.

"Anne! Come in, please."

I entered the posh apartment and took a look around. It had been a few weeks since I'd been there. It was set up like a classic rich boy bachelor pad, except for the smattering of photos of us he had strategically placed around the walls.

"Take a seat, Anne." He gestured to the couch and I sat down.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, a little confused as to the conflict between his cryptic texts and his chipper attitude.

He took a seat on the coffee table across from me and rested his arms on his knees. "First, I want to apologize for dinner. My parents shouldn't trying to make you quit your job."

"Thank you," I said and meant it.

"So, I heard you went dress shopping yesterday. How did it go?"

How did it go? Well, Ry, your mom wants me to look fucking ridiculous. I tried on the most hideous dresses in the world and your brother gave me three orgasms in the fitting room. Over text. It went great!

"It went as well as can be expected. I convinced our moms to at least let me have some input in the dress I'm going to be wearing. So, there's that."

"Well, that's good." He let out a long breath before asking, "How are you doing with this arranged marriage situation? I know it's been tough on you."

"I don't really know what you expect me to say, Ryan. It's going just how we expected it would, arranged." I painfully admitted. Of course, It's tough on me, this isn't how I envisioned my life. This isn't how anyone envisions their lives.

Ryan took a second to react, but spit out, "Well, what I meant was, have you been...sleeping with anyone else?"

I was hesitant to answer his question. I wasn't sure if it was a trick question or he's trying to end the arrangement we already have. I haven't slept with Jackson since the pleasurable night we shared, but I also don't have any intentions of ending that. "Uh, I--."

"I slept with another woman and I wanted to make sure you--."

I also cut him off, "Don't worry, I had a one-night stand. That's the rule, right?"

"Exactly! I know...it's not exactly what we want to do, but it seems better than the alternative. Don't you agree?"

"Yes, I do."

Ryan smiled and got to his feet. "Good. Glad that's settled. " He walked over to his wet-bar and poured some bourbon. "So, I know you'll want your own room during the trip, but that might be a little risky. We can book the suite if that's cool with you? There's two bedrooms in it."

Okay, what the fuck was he talking about? "Okay, Ry, I have no idea what you're talking about right now. What trip?"

He turned to look at me with a frown. "Your mom didn't tell you?"

Oh, Christ. This woman is seriously getting on my last nerve. "No, I'm sorry, trip to where?"

He awkwardly ran a hand through his hair and took a swig of his drink. "Our parents kind of planned this reunion/party thing at the beach." Of course, they did. I could never catch a break with the Hale family.

I took a couple deep breaths before I lost my mind. This is really going too far. "What? Why? We just had the engagement party."

"I know, Anne. Believe me, I tried to talk them out of it. They wouldn't budge. They called in a bunch of distant relatives and are adamant about doing this."

I rubbed my temples before I spoke again. "How long?"

He met my gaze with a sorrowful look, "A week. We leave Friday."

Fucking perfect.

"Okay, I'll see you later, Ry."

I left his house extremely pissed off. Why do our parents keep doing this to us? I thought. We were already sacrificing our free will to get married for them. Now this too? They were being extremely selfish. It's like they fed off of our misery, or they were just bored with their own lives.

After I reversed out of Ryan's driveway, I pulled out my cell and dialed my mom's number.

"Hello?" She answered, chipper as always.

We'll see about that. "When were you planning on telling me about this beach trip?"

When she was silent for a few seconds, I thought gotcha. "I was going to call you today. It just got planned. How did you-"

"Find out? I was with Ryan and he pretty much had the whole week planned-so, I know this wasn't 'just planned' mom. We just had an engagement part. Why do we have to do this, too?"

"Because we are inviting family from out of state to come and celebrate your upcoming wedding, Harper. Because this is what people do and it's what's best for everyone."

I scoffed. "Better for you guys. Do you even see how selfish you're being?"

"Selfish? You get to spend your life with a nice man, and you will be financially stable. What more can you ask for?"

I needed to hang up before I said something I was going to regret. "I gotta go, Mom."

I threw the phone on the passenger seat and drove around aimlessly. I really couldn't believe this wasn't a big deal to her. Just like buying a car or a new pair of heels. Did it matter that I would be spending my life with someone I didn't love? No. Did it matter if I was happy? No. Ryan and I were doing this huge thing for them, and they didn't even appear grateful.

The ringing of my cell phone made me grip the steering wheel before answering it. I didn't even bother looking at the caller-id. It was probably my mother.

"What!"

The line was silent for a moment. "Is this a bad time?"

It was that same British voice that made me weak in the knees. "Sorry. Yeah, it's just..."

"Just what?" Jackson asked when I didn't elaborate.

"Do you know about this beach trip?"

"Yeah, Ryan just told me. He said you were pretty upset. That's why--I wanted to, you know, make sure you were okay."

I let out a long sigh. "I just don't get our parents. We just had a party and now they want to plan this. And it's for an entire week."

"Did you try talking to your mom?"

"Yes. We argued and she seems to think it's no big deal. She thinks I should be more grateful about this wedding shit. God, I need a drink." All this drama is making me an alcoholic.

"Want to meet me at the bar?"

I hesitated. I really did want a drink-and I could use the company.

When I stayed silent, he said, "I promise we'll just talk. That's it."

"Okay, yeah. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

One hour and five shots later, I looked at Jackson through hazy half-closed eyes and said, "All I'm saying is, we should be able to, to, live the life we want. Right?"

He smiled as my words came out as a slur. "I couldn't agree more."

I looked at his glass of water with a frown. "You aren't drinking?"

"Uh, no. I think it's better if one of us remains sober."

He was probably right. "I r-really don't want to go on this beach trip, Jacksonnn. After the "wedding" I have to do a whole life of pretending. Why do I ha...have to do it now?"

He took a drink of his water. God, even that looked sexy. "Harper, I know it sucks. I wish there was something I could do to help."

I groaned as I threw back another shot. "Just...take my mind off of it."

He looked from the dance floor back to me. "Want to dance?"

I thought about it and it actually seemed fun. I hadn't danced in forever. I gave him a smile as I answered, "Yeah, let's do it." It's about time I allow myself to let loose and have fun. With everything that's been going on, I hadn't had time to do any of the things I liked-dancing being one of them.

Jackson softly grabbed my wrist and led me to the dance floor. Luckily, he held onto me tightly, or else I would have lost my balance. I felt the alcohol creep up on me slowly-Okay, I lied, it pounced on me rather quickly.

Immediately after collecting myself, I playfully spun into a circle watching Jackson's face light up. I drunkenly closed my eyes and swayed my hips to the sound of the music. Dive bars usually play the best music with almost no one on the dance floor.

I knew no one from the Hale family would ever step foot in a bar like this. Honestly, that was probably why these spots were my favorite. I was free to escape and be myself with a little alcohol in my body.

I grabbed onto Jackson's hands and placed them on my hips. The reaction I got out of him was exactly what I wanted. The bar was what had gotten us in this situation in the first place-and I couldn't help but notice the growing need in between my thighs.

"You sure this is okay? We're still in public," he said.

I leaned forward, "Shh! Let's just have fun tonight. I don't want to worry about anything else in this moment."

I saw Jackson glance over his shoulder cautiously-like he was making sure no one saw us who could get us into trouble. I knew he relaxed when I felt the tension leave his body, and his hands worked the way to my lower back.

"I don't bite," I whispered close to his hips. "Unless you want me to?" Where was this coming from? I thought.

"Don't start. You know what happened last time. At this very bar."

His large hands gripped my waist, keeping me in place. I couldn't deny the feeling I got when he touched me. Not only did his insane good looks get me worked up, but his powerful and demanding demeanor made me almost submissive to him.

I'm not sure how long we spent on the dance floor. It felt like only moments had passed, but by the time I broke free of the moment, we were the only two patrons left in the bar. Time passed so quickly when I was looking at Jackson.

Jackson tried ushering me to the exit, but I held force, "Princess, seems like they're about to close."

"But-" I pouted, gripping onto Jackson's shirt, "I'm having so much fun."

"Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. But that doesn't mean we can't do it again."

"Fine," I said as I started stumbling towards the front door.

"Oh, no you don't," he said, taking my car keys. "You are not driving, princess."

I frowned at him. "Then how am I going to get home, Jackson?"

He smiled at me and I wanted to kiss him right then and there. "I'm going to drive you in your car."

"Then how are you getting home?"

He let out a low laugh as he helped me out the door and to my car. "I'll take an Uber back."

We got in the car and I rolled the window down to let some fresh air inside. Jackson turned on the music and I closed my eyes, letting myself get lost to the smooth R&B that filled the car. I finally felt...not stressed. It had been awhile since I felt that way.

When we got to my apartment complex, Jackson asked, "Which one is yours?"

I leaned forward and squinted into the darkness. "Um...that one," I answered as I pointed to my building.

He came around to the passenger side of the car and held the door open for me. I nearly fell as I climbed out of my seat. Jackson chuckled before scooping me up in his arms.

He started towards my door and I rested my head on his shoulder. "You are very strong," I said quietly.

He let out another deep chuckle as we finally got to my door. He managed to unlock it, open it, and get me inside all while holding me honeymoon-style in his arms. The door shut behind us as he carried me to my bedroom. He laid me down on the soft mattress and I let out a big sigh.

Damn, this felt good.

He left the room and I vaguely heard the sound of the refrigerator open and close. He returned to my bedroom and I felt a dip in the bed as he sat down beside me. "Harper, here drink this."

He lifted me into a sitting position and handed me the bottle water. I chugged it like it was gold. "Thank you."

He took the empty bottle from me and headed for the door. "Do you need anything before I leave?"

I laid back down and I met his stare. I did need something from him. but I was nervous to ask and worried he would say no.

"Can you-can you stay with me? Not for sex. I just don't want to be alone tonight."

Something passed over his face, but I was too drunk to tell what it was. He threw the bottle away before he came and sat on the side of the bed. He took his shoes off and stretched out next to me on his back. I snuggled closer and laid my head on his chest. I heard his short intake of breath and his body tensed up. After a few minutes, he seemed to settle.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, princess?"

"Thank you, for tonight. I didn't realize how much I needed it."

He ran his hand up and down my back in comfort. "Anytime."

I meant what I said about no sex tonight, but still...I leaned up on my elbow and looked down at him. His eyes met mine and he studied my face.

"I know we are on this two-week decision thing, but can you please-"

His lips were on mine before I could finish asking the question. He turned me on my back and hovered above me as he deepened the kiss. I moaned into his mouth as he ran his hands down my clothed body.

When I reached for his pants, he grabbed my wrists gently and pulled away from my mouth with a smile. "No, no, princess. I don't mind kissing you all night, but until you make your decision about us," he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "no sex."

He really knew how to tease me. Fine. If he wants no sex until I make my decision, then I was going to kiss the shit out of him-and make him wish he hadn't said no to me.