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Today should have been perfect. It was her best friend’s wedding day, after all, taking place at an all expense paid Carribean resort over the weekend in mid-June. The resort itself was the kind of place that you’d only see in pristine getaway catalogs, boasting of vacation hot spots that people dreamed about but could never shell out the money for. Thank god Jen was loaded from her skincare line and paid for the guests to attend, otherwise Agatha wouldn’t be caught dead here. These places were always cesspools filled with a random assortment of rich narcissists, families, and retirees that revealed way too much.
But still, Agatha couldn’t help but take in the stunning views. The endless blue stretch of the ocean glinted just beyond the pristinely manicured lawns of the resort with its almost unrealistic shade of turquoise. A salty breeze stirred the air, soft and fragrant, as it brushed against Agatha’s slightly disheveled hair. Somewhere in the distance she could even hear the sounds of the waves lapping against the white sand shores. And yet, it was impossible to enjoy because she was currently in the middle of experiencing a full-blown internal meltdown.
Agatha currently stood at the front of the circular driveway to the resort, arms crossed over the vibrant white fabric of her dress, a shade she personally resented, but had been demanded per the dress code. Her heels were already starting to dig into her feet, adding to her agitation. A bead of sweat was forming on the nape of her neck and her mouth felt too dry.
She reached into her clutch and pulled out her phone for the millionth time in the last 5 minutes, glaring at the driveway as her heels tapped against the concrete, hoping that if she glared long enough her plus one would manifest.
Most of the guests had already arrived from the airport and few cars were pulling up. Agatha angrily dialed the number of the services she had hired. The moment the line connected, she was already tearing into them. Blame the heat.
“Where is she? I paid good money to have one of your girls here today and she’s not even here yet. I need her here now .”
“Ma’am, your escort should be arriving any minute.”
“She’d better be, or I’ll sue all of you for emotional damages.” Agatha’s eye twitched as she snapped the phone shut. She felt ridiculous.
When she’d first gotten her invitation from Jen, Agatha hadn’t necessarily thought much of it. A paid vacation in the caribbean? No brainer. But, then Jen just had to go and ask if she was bringing someone. Agatha refused to give Jen the satisfaction of thinking she was alone, or worse, couldn’t get a date. Jen had always called her difficult and off putting, despite being one of the few friends she enjoyed the company of. They had a very love/hate relationship, after all. Kindred souls, in a way. But Jen just loved to boast about how she was getting married first, how perfect her life was. It always grated on Agatha.
Alice didn’t even seem like the type Jen would normally go for, but in a way they were perfect complements. It was disgusting to be around. So , Agatha did what she did best. Lied.
Agatha had told Jen that she had recently started seeing someone and it was infuriating how Jen still looked skeptical when she had mentioned bringing her, forcing her to make up an even more ludacris backstory just to get her off her back. That being the case, Agatha did the easiest thing and hired an escort service. Lilia had said it worked wonders for her when she needed a date for her company Christmas party. These girls were professionals she swore by, able to mold themselves to the setting and play their roles to perfection, with or without the possibility of other services, depending on the contract and the client’s preferences.
Professional my ass . Agatha grumbled in her head. At this rate, maybe she should have just grabbed some struggling method actor off broadway. If she took any longer, she was going to start looking pathetic. She let out a sigh as her ears picked up on the string quartet in the background butchering a Beyonce song. God, she needed a drink.
She smoothed down her dress again and shot a quick glance over her shoulder. Guests were already finding their seats along the beachfront, murmuring, smiling, and sipping from delicate champagne flutes. Jen could be seen already scanning the arrivals, no doubt looking for Agatha. Jen, with her perfect white lace gown, perfect wife-to-be, perfect smile, perfect venue. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
Agatha’s jaw clenched and she wrenched her gaze back. “No way in hell am I showing up alone to this thing.” She was about half a second away from just grabbing some random bystander and forcing them to go along with her scheme when a single black car pulled into the drive. Agatha held her breath.
As the door opened, a woman stepped out of the car dressed in a gorgeous white dress and sandals. Approximately five foot six, dark chocolate brown waves brushing over her shoulders, hazel eyes that flashed almost honey when they caught the sunlight, and an unmistakable small gap in her front teeth she noted when the woman had smiled at the valet. That was her.
Agatha stormed over immediately.
“You’re late!” she hissed, grabbing the other woman’s wrist like a lifeline. “You have absolutely no idea what kind of passive-aggressive hell I’ve already had to suffer through out here because of your inability to manage time. Come on, they’re about to start, and I refuse to let Jen see me standing around like some tragic spinster.”
The woman looked a bit affronted at being snatched the moment she was out of the car, but simply blinked and tilted her head, slightly amused. “Uh, hi to you too. I’m Rio,” she said, easily falling into step beside Agatha.
“You could be the damn Queen of Denmark for all I care, just don’t embarrass me.” Agatha huffed as they finally were able to make their way over to the beach.
“Oh…so you’re Agatha.” Rio smirked.
Agatha paused, frowning as she turned to glance at Rio. “Yes? Aren’t you supposed to–”
“Ladies! Glad you could make it!” Jen made her way over, grinning like the cat that just ate the canary. “So, you’re the mystery woman Agatha’s been hiding. Now, this is a surprise I didn’t see coming.”
Agatha plastered on a smile and clapped her hands together to keep herself from saying something she’d regret. This was still her friend’s wedding day after all. “Jen! You look absolutely radiant. I can see splurging on that beauty guru influencer is paying off. Maybe she can give you some tips.” Well, she almost succeeded.
Jen just offered a half-hearted laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind. What do you use again? CeraVe and some foundation? Your confidence always astounds me, Agatha.” Agatha narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to retort, but Jen had moved on. “And you must be–”
“Rio,” the woman said, offering a kind, composed smile and extending her hand with a polished grace. “It’s so nice to finally get to meet you, I’ve heard so much about you. I love that your Kale Kare line uses 100% organic ingredients and is eco-friendly.”
Agatha’s mouth dropped open. She hadn’t even prepared Rio with any information in advance. Wow, these escorts really do their research. Maybe Lilia was right. Either way, it didn’t matter because Jen was eating right out of Rio’s hand, which meant she was eating out of Agatha’s.
“Thank you,” Jen looked like she was practically thriving from all the attention. “You know, you’re even prettier than Agatha let on. I mean, she went on and on about your eyes, but this? Wow, if I wasn’t taken.” Jen winked.
Agatha’s laugh was a bit too forced. “Well, you know me. Modest.”
“Modest?” Rio echoed with a teasing glance sideways. “Hardly. You said I looked like the ‘Venus De Milo’ before she lost her arms when I sent that photo of me in that green dress the other day.”
Jen blinked. “That is so…specific.”
Agatha wanted to evaporate into the sand below her feet. This woman was supposed to be making her look good, not smooth talking with the enemy at her expense.
“It was a joke .” Agatha lightly elbowed Rio in the ribs.
“Oh, sweetheart, don’t be so shy, you’re so poetic when you get a little tipsy. It’s endearing.”
Jen chuckled as Agatha rolled her eyes, looking all too exasperated. “You two are adorable. I’m so happy you found someone, Agatha. Really. You two are perfect for each other.”
Agatha nearly choked on her own relief that Jen was buying it. “Thanks,” she tried to play it off casually, “We’re…very happy.”
“Ecstatic, really.” Rio joined in the laughter and leaned in to give Agatha a side hug, wrapping her arm around her waist and squeezing her hip. It felt…entirely too natural. Rio turned and placed her lips up against the shell of Agatha’s ear. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
When Rio had pulled back, Agatha had a look on her face that could curdle milk.
Jen glanced back towards the ceremonial arch on the beach, seeing her wedding planner signaling her. “Well, I hate to cut this short ladies, but we’re starting in about 10 minutes. Go ahead and take your seats. We put you near the front, of course.”
Of course.
As Jen disappeared back into the chaos of the pre-ceremony preparations, Agatha and Rio both made their way toward their seats among the assembled white chairs, their feet sinking ever so slightly into the sand.
Agatha dropped into her seat, feeling relieved and anxious all at the same time. Jen had bought it, but she still had to suffer through this event with some stranger and hope her cover wasn’t blown.
Rio took her place next to Agatha, crossing her ankles and slightly adjusting the hem of her dress. She leaned back against the seat casually, looking far more relaxed than Agatha would anticipate for a woman that knew absolutely nobody here.
The ceremony began with soft music and the distant wail of a conch shell being blown, because of course there was a conch shell. The officiant, looking like she could be a stand in for a Cher impersonator, started to speak about heartfelt journeys, soulmates, lifelines intertwining, blah blah blah. Agatha rolled her eyes.
“Do you think they coordinated vows?” Rio whispered.
Agatha gave her a sideways glance, leaning closer. “If they don’t, I’ll eat my clutch.”
“They probably rehearsed them together over wine, a charcuterie board, and an episode of the Housewives of Atlanta.”
“Before or after the meticulously scheduled hour of sex?”
“It’s scheduled?” Rio raised an eyebrow.
“Jen has a planner.” Agatha grinned. “She’s so high strung she puts the Bow of Odysseus to shame.”
Rio stifled a laugh. “Damn, you’re ruthless. No wonder I fell for you.”
Agatha turned to glare at her, but the effect was softened by the slight tug of a smile she couldn’t quite suppress.
As the officiant continued, waxing poetic soliloquies about love being like the sea: vast, unknowable, sometimes dangerous and unpredictable, other times calm and inviting, deep, and beautiful to those that move with the ebb and flow, Agatha and Rio looked bored out of their minds.
“Love is like the sea ?” Rio murmured to her. “Have they seen the state of the sea lately?”
Agatha choked on a snort, covering it up with an entirely fake cough.
A woman in the row ahead of them turned, probably some distant aunt, and gave them a scathing look.
Rio bowed her head, raising her hand in mock surrender. “Sorry, sorry, sacred moment. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned and all that.” Rio made a motion of zipping her lips.
Agatha pressed her lips together, staring hard at the sand, trying to stifle her laughter, but failing. After a few seconds, a quick glance at Rio made her heart flutter. Rio was surrounded by a small halo of golden light, a faint crinkle at the corners of her eyes as she smiled, real and unbothered. Agatha couldn’t look away as she felt her breath hitch.
Agatha felt her thigh nudged by Rio’s knee as the officiant drew the attention of the crowd back to the ceremony. “And now, the vows!”
“Place your bets,” Rio whispered. “Who’s crying first? Jen or Alice?”
Agatha discretely pointed up at the podium. “My money is on Jen. She’s such a drama queen.”
Rio pursed her lips, thinking it over. “I don’t know…Alice looks like she’s about to break.”
It wasn’t even 2 minutes into the vows that Jen started crying. Rio grinned. “Seems I owe you a drink.”
“Make it 2 and we’ll call it a date.”
The ceremony ended with cheers, a flurry of flower petals, and the kind of kiss that made Agatha momentarily forget how bitter she was about the entire concept of love. The newlyweds disappeared into a sea of well-wishers and champagne toasts. In just a few hours, the resort had transformed from the ceremonial beachfront to an open-air party.
Now, beneath a canopy of soft lights and swaying palms, the reception was in full swing. Music floated around the dance floor with a mix of classic wedding songs and today’s top hits. Agatha had a sneaking suspicion that the overwhelming amount of Coldplay was Alice’s influence. A round of cheers came from the bar as family members were doing a series of shots.
Meanwhile, Agatha sat at one of the smaller cocktail tables, shoes kicked off and hidden halfway under the table as the small candle serving as a centerpiece flickered gently. Rio was returning from the bar with two cold margaritas in her hand and a knowing smile.
“Your winnings, my lady.” she said as she slid the drink close to Agatha before taking her seat beside her.
“You’ve been extremely charismatic and confident for someone that was technically late for their own gig.” Agatha took a sip, letting out a soft moan as the liquor hit her tongue. It was cold, tangy, and irrefutably good. Damn, at least the resort was worth Jen’s money.
Rio leaned back in her chair, one leg crossing over the other. “Well, I needed to be here, but I’m glad I was able to satisfy.”
Agatha stared at her for a long moment. “Do you…satisfy in other ways?” Her voice dropped an octave.
Rio took a sip of her own drink, eyes flashing dangerously. “Only if I really like someone.”
Agatha let out a hum of approval. She took a moment to truly study her for the first time all evening, not just the details she had clocked earlier when Rio had arrived at the venue. It was the way Rio carried herself, how she effortlessly navigated conversation, how she had conducted herself and played her part so believably even Agatha would have believed they were dating if her credit card statement didn’t show a massive withdrawal.
It wasn’t just that though, there was something more to Rio. The way her eyes crinkled when she smiled or laughed, the way they were able to play off each other effortlessly, the push and pull she felt, how well her arm had fit around her waist, the way she made Agatha feel…seen.
Almost too seen.
“So,” Rio drawled out, twirling her silly straw in her drink. “Is this the part where you tell me the real reason you needed a fake date?”
Agatha hesitated, the salt of the margarita stinging just a little more than it should. She stared out at the dance floor where she saw Jen and Alice twirling in each other’s arms, caught in their own little orbit, laughing and sharing small kisses.
“I could have come alone, but Jen always makes it seem like I’m so insufferable to be around that I didn’t want her to think she was right,” she finally admitted, her voice almost too quiet. “Jen’s been basically unofficially married to Alice for years now and she’s so smug about it. Sometimes I’m just tired of feeling like…maybe there’s some truth in what she’s saying…” Agatha trailed off, not elaborating more. She hated how raw she sounded right now. This wasn’t her. She wasn’t the type of person that just poured her heart out to a stranger.
Rio didn’t say anything for a moment, letting Agatha’s words sink in. Finally she leaned forward a bit. “It’s okay to want somebody, Agatha.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Agatha’s brow furrowed, but before she could respond, Rio leaned even closer, her voice incredibly soft.
“And, for what it’s worth, I’ve been to a lot of weddings, but this is the first time I’ve actually had fun.” Her hand reached over and gently laid on top of Agatha’s.
Agatha looked at her, then down at their hands.
Suddenly, everything felt quieter, the music fading into the distance, the party blurring at the edges of her vision. Her soul focus was the beautiful woman in front of her, eyes steady and warm, reeling her in.
Maybe it was the tequila, or maybe it was just the atmosphere of the night, but Agatha Harkness was willing to risk it all.
“Careful,” Agatha murmured, eyes still lingering on Rio’s. “You’re starting to sound like someone that actually wants to be here with me.”
Rio’s smile softened, her grip on Agatha’s hand tightening. “I do.”
The reply sat heavy in the space between them. For a second, Agatha didn’t know what to do about the warmth that was spreading through her chest and up into her cheeks. She took another sip of her drink for confidence, hoping it would help. It didn’t.
“Dance with me?” Rio asked casually.
“What?” Agatha blinked.
“Dance. You know, moving your body with mine, usually to a tempo on a dance floor. They’re all doing it over there.” Rio pointed towards the dance floor where other couples were swaying to a simple ballad.
Agatha opened her mouth to decline, the reflex to do so was instinctive, but the words never formed. Instead, she found herself nodding and getting up from her seat.
Rio stood up and kept hold of Agatha’s hand, giving it a small tug. She slipped her fingers between Agatha’s, which Agatha couldn’t help but note felt like the most natural thing in the world. Like they belonged there. The touch was warm, and confident. Real.
The sand beneath their feet was much cooler now in the nighttime, the air still smelling of sea salt, coconut, and bonfires. The lights strung above them cast everything in a soft, yellow glow while the music wrapped around them like velvet.
Once they were among the other couples, Rio pulled Agatha in gently, one hand resting on the small of her back, the other still holding hers tightly. Agatha’s free hand hovered for a moment before finally resting against Rio’s shoulder, fingers curling slightly against the fabric of her dress.
Rio took the lead and began to sway gently, moving slowly. Agatha noted that with anyone else this would have been awkward, but with Rio if felt familiar, welcome even. Neither of them spoke, simply content to move together, eyes never wavering from the others.
“You’re not what I expected.” Agatha said finally, her voice low, barely a whisper above the music, but loud enough that only Rio could hear.
“Neither are you,” Rio’s eyes danced with mirth and something else. “I think you actually really like me.”
Agatah’s laugh was short and breathy. “Cocky.”
“I prefer observant.”
They circled once more in the glow of the dance floor, close enough now that Agatha could feel the steady rise and fall of Rio’s chest against hers. Her fingers flexed slightly against Rio’s shoulder, unsure if they wanted to pull her closer or push her away.
Rio leaned in until her lips were just a breadth away from Agatha’s ear.
“Tell me to stop,” she said, gently, as if she was worried about breaking the spell they found themselves under, “and I will.”
Agatha didn’t.
Instead, she turned her face slightly, enough for her nose to brush against Rio’s cheek, and closed the distance.
The kiss was slow, tentative at first, just the softest press of her lips against Rio’s. But then, Agatha’s hand moved upwards from Rio’s shoulder to the back of her neck, tangling with the hair at the nape of her neck and pulling her in closer.
Rio’s hand slipped further around her waist, pulling her flush against her body so that no room remained between them.
All pretense of their fake relationship was cracking, falling away little by little throughout the night.
When they pulled apart, the silence between them was different. As they stared at each other, pupils blown, pulse rushing, breathing just a little bit heavier than before, it was obvious both wanted more.
Before either of them could speak on what had just happened between them, a voice from across the dance floor shattered the moment.
“Rio! There you are!”
Both Agatha and Rio looked up.
Alice was making her way toward them through the crowd, barefoot now, dress hitched slightly above her ankles as she carried the hem in one hand. Her cheeks were flushed pink from the exertion of dancing too hard and drinking just a little too much. She looked radiant, as any bride should.
“God, I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Alice said, beaming as she hugged Rio. “I haven’t been able to talk to you all night! I’m so glad you came!”
Agatha blinked, suddenly confused. “Wait, you…know her?”
Rio didn’t flinch; she just smiled lazily like this was all part of the plan. “Who? Alice? Of course, she’s been my best friend since sophomore year of college.”
Alice hugged Rio again with the familiarity of someone that had done it a thousand times before. “I’ve been trying to set her up with someone for years ,” she said to Agatha. “Never thought she’d show up with one of Jen’s friends though, her best friend at that. What a small world, huh? Kind of rude of her not to give me a heads-up on that one though; we literally talk about you all the time.”
Agatha opened her mouth again, then closed it, then opened it again.
“I thought…so you’re not…” The gears in Agatha’s head were already turning. Needing to confirm what had just been revealed, Agatha whipped out her phone. She hadn’t checked it since Rio’s car had pulled up. A single text was there.
Hi, Agatha. We’re sorry to see you missed your booked appointment with Harper. Per our policy, no-shows are non-refundable and an additional inconvenience fee of $300 has been applied to your credit card on record. Please keep us in mind should you need any future bookings or would like to reschedule.
Agatha felt her stomach flip. She wasn’t sure if it was from the embarrassment burning hot in her chest from the complete misunderstanding on her part, or the overjoyous thrill that came once she’d realized that despite being absolutely, catastrophically wrong about everything, she had spent the evening with a woman she was completely enamored by and desperately wanted to kiss again.
Who would have thought they’d see the day that Agatha Harkness would rather be wooed than try to seek revenge on someone that had completely turned the tables on her own scheme.
Alice laughed, oblivious to the tension that was clearly present. “Anyway, you two are so cute together. I’m actually obsessed. Please don’t leave before I can get a group photo. But, enjoy your night, enjoy the resort this weekend, and thank you both again for coming!” And just like that, she had darted back towards Jen and into her arms, greeted by a kiss and more laughter.
Agatha turned back towards Rio slowly, still trying to find her footing given the new information.
“So…you’re not the escort…and you’re not being paid to be here…with me.”
Rio stepped closer again, her smile turning softer, more private. Her hand cupped Agatha’s cheek, her thumb running over it gently. “Nope, but I think if you’d have asked me nicely at the start, I would have said yes to it anyway and saved you some money.”
Agatha stared at her, mouth dry, head spinning.
“You’re insane.”
“So are you.”
Rio’s other hand pulled Agatha’s waist closer to her again, yet not as close as before, and held her there.
Agatha shook her head. “You just…went along with it?”
Rio shrugged, resting her forehead against Agatha’s. “What can I say? I saw a beautiful woman in a panic and had a little fun causing chaos.”
A moment of silence passed as Agatha thought over everything that had been mentioned. The music filled the empty space, only accompanied by quiet conversations and distant laughter.
Finally, Agatha looked up at Rio again, her voice quieter, inviting. “So…do you have a room here?”
Rio arched a brow. “Why? Looking to swap spa recommendations or brunch preferences?”
Agatha rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. “Don’t be dense, it’s unattractive.”
“I bet you’d still kiss me.”
Agatha scoffed, but didn’t deny it. “Just answer the question.”
Rio nodded. “Yeah. Jen and Alice booked me one for the weekend. Ocean-view suite on the 8th floor. Kind of makes up for that expensive wedding present I sent them.”
Agatha hesitated a moment, then reached out, brushing her fingers against Rio’s wrist until it found her hand again.
“Mine’s two floors down,” she said offhandedly, avoiding the real question.
Rio tilted her head, already understanding what Agatha was silently implying, but wanting to pry it out of her anyway. “So, what are you thinking then?”
Agatha stepped a little closer, their hands still joined. “I’m thinking that maybe I don’t want to spend the rest of this beautiful night alone in a room I didn’t pay for. And maybe…I’d be interested in still pretending we’re actually a couple…without the pretense of pretending, if you catch my drift.”
Rio smiled softly, unable to take her eyes off Agatha. A playful smirk tugged at the corners. “That sounds an awful lot like you’re propositioning me to stay the night.”
“I’m not,” Agatha said quickly. “I’m hoping.”
Rio reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair away behind Agatha’s ear, her touch featherlight. “Well, then I think we’re both hoping for the same thing.”
And then, without any rush, she leaned in and kissed her again.
This one wasn’t as tentative as before, but it was equally as charged. It was warm and unhurried, like the start of something neither of them were quite ready to name yet. Still, it was clear that both of them wanted this. Agatha melted into it, her hands resting at Rio’s waist, holding on like she was scared of losing something she hadn’t realized she needed so desperately.
When they pulled apart, Rio once again rested her forehead against Agatha’s tenderly.
“Come on,” she chuckled, “Let’s go upstairs before Alice ropes us into participating in a midnight conga line. I have other plans for us in mind.”
Agatha laughed, pulling back, but never letting go of Rio’s hand.
As they walked back towards the resort entrance, the night stretched out around them. The air was warm, the sky was filled with stars, and the dark expanse of the ocean could be seen just beyond the small sand dunes. The sounds of the celebration began to fade behind them, replaced by the hushed sound of waves and the soft rhythm of their footsteps in the sand.
Agatha glanced up at Rio, watching the wind catch in her hair, the faint trace of salt still stuck onto her skin.
Something inside her, tight and anxious for so long, had finally started to loosen. Maybe it was that first kiss. Maybe it was a little bit of the alcohol and the joyous atmosphere. But, Agatha hoped that it was the surprise of finding someone who saw through all her facades and was choosing to stay anyway. Someone that truly wanted her . Despite starting out staged, nothing about the night felt like any kind of fake performance. It felt like the start of something real. Something hers. Something theirs .
Agatha didn’t say it out loud. She just squeezed Rio’s hand, and Rio squeezed back. A promise for more.