The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(44)

“I like it,” Jeremiah said, even though thinking about their fake breakup was a reminder that he most likely wouldn’t see Noelle after this weekend. “Tell me more.”

Secluded away from the party, they huddled together and plotted their fake demise.





Chapter Thirteen




The party continued late into the night and ended with a fireworks display that was more elaborate than the Fourth of July fireworks show that Noelle watched every year in Brickton’s memorial park. It was after one a.m. when the last remaining guests said their goodbyes.

Noelle and Jeremiah chose to wait to have their breakup after the party ended, because it was mainly for the benefit of his family, and they didn’t want to cause a public spectacle. They stood on the back veranda and observed Celeste, Amara, Robin, and Percy, who were outside, talking by the pool. Ashley and Harper had gone to bed hours ago.

“Okay,” Jeremiah said, turning to her. “Ready?”

Noelle inhaled a breath. This was her first time ever enacting a fake breakup, and she was a little nervous, but it was too late for nerves. It was time to deliver. She nodded. “Ready.”

He counted down. “Three…two…one…”

“Action,” she said.

She stormed down the steps, feet pounding as she crossed the backyard. “Okay, fine, Jeremiah,” she called over her shoulder. “If you don’t want me to move with you to California, I won’t. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

The Smiths turned their heads and stared at Noelle as she charged past them to stand by the now-empty bar setup. She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at Jeremiah, who hurried across the lawn after her. She turned away, showing him her back.

“You told me that you didn’t care about the long distance,” he said, shaking his head in irritation. “Why do you suddenly care now?”

She whirled around to face him. Mirth flashed in his eyes, but he quickly schooled his features. She fought the urge to laugh. They’d rehearsed this scene while everyone else had been enjoying the party, and they’d struggled to get through it without laughing. But now it was time to be serious. Well, fake serious.

“That is such a lie to say I don’t care about being long distance,” she said. “Why would I be okay with a three-hour time difference and being separated by a six-hour flight?”

“Lots of people do long distance and they’re fine,” Jeremiah said. “You just started your job at the library. Your life is here, Noelle.”

“So you aren’t an important enough part of my life? Am I not important enough to you?”

Noelle heard the Smiths mumbling to one another as they watched her and Jeremiah from afar.

“Of course you are,” he said. “You know that. I care about you so much.”

“It doesn’t feel that way,” she said. “It doesn’t feel that way at all, Jeremiah. If you can’t even figure out when you’d be able to see me, it doesn’t sound like our relationship is much of a priority to you.”

Jeremiah began pacing back and forth. Noelle spared a brief glance at his family. They were gawking at the two of them.

“I don’t know, Noelle,” he said. “I just don’t know. This whole thing is stressing me out.”

“Maybe we can’t survive the long distance,” Noelle said. “You need to focus on your job without any distractions, and so do I.”

Jeremiah ceased his pacing and paused in front of her.

“So this is it?” he asked, voice shaky. “It’s over just like that? You’re breaking my heart.”

“You broke my heart first, Jeremiah,” she said sorrowfully. “I guess it’s over.”

They stared at each other in their storm cloud of made-up heartbreak. For a split second, Jeremiah’s despondent expression cracked, and the corner of his mouth tugged into a smile. Noelle bit the inside of her cheek to maintain her straight face.

“Okay, let’s all just take a moment here,” Celeste said, walking over. “It’s been a long day and it’s hot. Emotions are running high.” She placed her hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “Miah, why don’t you go for a walk and cool off.”

“Yeah, okay,” Jeremiah said. He glanced at Noelle and winked discreetly before he strode through the backyard and out onto the street. They watched in silence as he walked in the direction of the beach.

“Percy, can you go after him, please?” Celeste asked.

Percy sighed and nodded before he dutifully trudged off to follow Jeremiah.

“Are you okay, Noelle?” Amara asked as she approached her. She put her arm around Noelle’s shoulders and led her back up to the house. Celeste and Robin followed behind.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Noelle said. “It’s just an unfortunate situation.”

Inside the kitchen, Robin retrieved a cold water bottle from the fridge and handed it to Noelle. Noelle appreciated that they were being so kind to her, and she felt a little guilty that they believed that she and Jeremiah were in need of such care. But after this weekend, they’d move on and eventually forget all about her. She was doing what Jeremiah had paid her to do, and she needed that money.

“I haven’t seen Miah upset like that in a long time,” Amara said. “He must really like you.”