The Vacation Plan That Changed Everything
When I came up with the idea to go on vacation with a stranger to make my ex, Josh, regret leaving me, I thought it was brilliant. The plan was simple: pretend to be happy, make Josh notice, and then everything would fall into place. But nothing went as I expected, and soon, I found myself questioning everything—and myself.
The Plan Takes Shape
I was at the airport, nervously checking my phone, wondering if Travis, the stranger I had convinced to join me on this wild adventure, would even show up. This whole plan had started on a random night at a bar, when I was heartbroken over Josh leaving me. I spilled my emotions to Travis, a man I barely knew, and he listened without judgment. Travis admitted he was low on cash, and that’s when the idea hit me.
“Hey, you need a free vacation, right?” I had asked him. “I’ll bring you along if you help me make my ex jealous.”
It seemed like a perfect deal. He got a free trip, and I got someone to show Josh that I was doing just fine without him.
Then, as if on cue, Travis appeared, grinning casually. “Hey,” he said, breaking me from my thoughts. He seemed far more relaxed than I felt.
“You made it,” I said, trying to sound confident, though inside, my nerves were a mess.
“So, still think this is a good idea?” he asked, his grin widening.
I hesitated, my mind racing. “Not really. But here we are.”
Travis shrugged and winked. “No complaints here. I’m on vacation with a beautiful woman, and I’m getting paid for it,” he said, making me blush.
The First Shock
We boarded the plane, and that’s when I saw him—Josh, sitting with his new girlfriend. The sight of him sent a shockwave through my chest, and when he noticed me, his face froze.
“Ari? What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice full of confusion as he glanced at Travis.
I took a deep breath, knowing I had to stick to the plan. Travis smoothly slid his arm around my waist. “Heading on vacation with my boyfriend,” I said, though the words felt strange coming out of my mouth.
Josh didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he shrugged and looked away. That reaction hurt more than I expected.
The Hotel Room Disaster
When we arrived at the hotel, I opened the door to our room—and froze. There was only one bed.
“There’s only one bed,” I muttered, panic rising in my chest.
Travis laughed. “Looks like we’re getting cozy.”
“Absolutely not,” I insisted, marching to the front desk to fix the mistake. But just as I was explaining the issue, Josh appeared and overheard.
“Problems already?” Josh teased, smirking.
“Nope. Everything’s perfect,” I lied through gritted teeth, forcing a smile. Travis leaned casually against the counter, clearly amused by the whole situation.
The First Night
That night, sharing the bed became unavoidable. I clung to the edge of my side while Travis, ever the joker, teased me about being uptight.
“Relax, it’s just sleeping,” he said with a grin. When I swatted him with a pillow, he just laughed harder.
But over the next few days, something strange started happening. I began to enjoy my time with Travis more than I expected. We had awkward run-ins with Josh and his girlfriend, but Travis played the part of my boyfriend effortlessly. He made me laugh, something I hadn’t done in months.
Whether we were building sandcastles, laughing at a tour guide’s overenthusiasm, or splashing around in the ocean like kids, I found myself smiling more than I had in a long time. I started to feel… happy.
The Beach Moment
One night after dinner, Travis grabbed my hand. “Let’s go,” he said, leading me to the beach. He suddenly picked me up and ran toward the waves, laughing as I screamed for him to put me down. We ended up soaked from head to toe, but I didn’t care.
We stood there, under the stars, and for a brief moment, I thought he might kiss me. But then reality hit, and I mumbled something about Josh before quickly walking away, leaving Travis standing alone in the water.
The Turning Point
The next morning, Josh cornered me on the hotel balcony. “I still love you, Ari,” he said, his voice full of regret. “Please, take me back.”
I froze as he leaned in to kiss me. But when our lips touched, I felt… nothing. No sparks, no longing—just an empty feeling.
Instead, I pulled away and looked him in the eye. “No, Josh,” I said firmly. “I deserve someone who truly sees me. And that’s not you.”
Josh looked hurt, but I stood my ground.
The Unexpected Goodbye
When I returned to the room, I was shocked to find Travis packing his bag. Panic set in. “Travis!” I called out, running after him.
He stopped and turned, his face cold. “You don’t need me anymore,” he said, his voice distant.
“No, you’re wrong,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t want him—I want you. You make me laugh, you make me feel alive, and I can’t lose you.”
Travis hesitated, his expression softening.
“I told him no,” I added quietly, my heart pounding.
Finally, Travis dropped his bag and walked back to me. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me—this time, not as part of the act, but for real.
“Sharing that bed wasn’t so bad after all,” I joked, tears streaming down my face.
“Best part of the trip,” he said, grinning, before pulling me into another kiss.
The Realization
What started as a plan to make my ex jealous turned into something I never expected. In pretending to be happy, I found something real. Sometimes, the best plans are the ones that fail spectacularly.
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