I thought going on vacation with a stranger to make my ex regret leaving me was the perfect plan. It seemed simple enough— act happy, make him notice, and watch it all fall into place. But as the days went by, nothing turned out the way I expected, leaving me questioning everything.
I might have done the craziest thing in my life, but there was no turning back now. I stood at the airport, nervously glancing at my phone every few seconds, wondering if Travis would even show up. The whole situation felt ridiculous.
A few days ago, he was just a stranger at a bar, someone I barely knew. I remembered how he casually mentioned he was short on cash while I, in my heartbreak, had spilled my guts about Josh leaving me. Somehow, in that mess of a conversation, the idea hit me—wild, impulsive, and maybe a little brilliant.
“Hey,” a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Travis.
“Oh, hi,” I said, trying to appear calm.
“So, still think this is a good idea?” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “But it could work. You?”
“No downsides for me. I’m going on vacation with a hot woman, and I’m getting paid for it,” Travis said with a grin.
I felt my cheeks burn. “If I were hot, he wouldn’t have dumped me.”
“He’s just an idiot,” Travis replied.
We made it through security and boarded the plane. That’s when I saw him—Josh. And of course, his new girlfriend was right there beside him. He looked surprised to see me.
“Ari? What are you doing here?” he asked.
I felt Travis slide his arm around my waist. “Heading on vacation with my boyfriend,” I said, though I could barely hide the panic bubbling inside me. I had wanted Josh to feel jealous, but he seemed completely unfazed.
“Yeah, we just needed some time alone,” Travis added smoothly.
“Oh, we’re doing the same—” Josh started, but Travis cut him off.
“Sorry, we need to find our seats,” he said, steering me away.
I was still in a daze as we sat down and buckled in. Once we were settled, I finally managed to thank Travis. “I completely froze back there. Thanks for stepping in.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” he replied with a playful smile.
As the plane took off, I stared out the window, watching the clouds swirl beneath us and replaying everything in my head. The plan was simple—at least on paper. Make Josh jealous, make him regret letting me go, and eventually win him back. I’d thought through every detail, making sure it looked natural. Travis and I were supposed to be the picture of a carefree, happy couple.
Even staying at the same hotel as Josh wasn’t a coincidence. Thanks to a few mutual friends, I knew all about his vacation plans. Now, all that was left was to play my part and make him notice.
When we arrived at the hotel, exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. I was ready to drop everything and collapse into bed. But that hope vanished the second we opened the door and saw the room.
“There’s only one bed,” I said, my voice flat with disbelief.
“Yep, I can see that,” Travis replied, looking entirely too amused.
“This has to be a mistake. I booked a room with two beds!” I insisted, already reaching for my phone.
“Maybe there was a mix-up,” Travis offered. “No big deal. We can share.”
“Absolutely not,” I shot back.
“What’s the problem? Afraid Josh will find out? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?” he teased.
“I can’t share a bed with someone I barely know,” I said firmly.
“Why not? It’s just sleeping,” he countered.
“Because it’s wrong…I’m not that kind of person,” I insisted.
“You’re too uptight,” Travis said, shaking his head.
“And you’re too laid-back,” I retorted.
Without another word, I headed to the front desk to sort things out. But when I explained the issue, the receptionist told me there was no mistake.
“I specifically booked two beds,” I argued.
“What’s the problem, Ari? Something wrong?” Josh’s voice suddenly chimed in, catching me off guard.
“What? No, no problems at all,” I stammered.
“Well, we do have a—” the receptionist started.
“Everything’s perfect,” I interrupted. “The room is just lovely. Very romantic. My boyfriend and I are thrilled.”
The receptionist looked confused but didn’t push the matter further.
“So…a boyfriend, huh?” Josh said with a smirk. “Didn’t expect you to move on so quickly.”
“Well, you didn’t exactly come here alone,” I shot back.
“We’re different, though,” he said.
“I decided to find someone who appreciates me,” I replied with a smile before walking away. To my surprise, I felt a strange sense of power. A week ago, I’d imagined myself begging Josh to take me back. But now? Not so much.
Back in the room, I told Travis we were staying put and not to ask any questions about it. We decided to call it an early night and climbed into bed, each sticking to our side. I stretched as far away from him as possible.
“So you are that kind of person,” Travis said just as I was drifting off.
At first, I didn’t understand what he meant. Then it clicked, and I felt my face heat up.
Without thinking, I grabbed a pillow and swatted him with it, laughing despite myself. “You’re impossible,” I muttered, rolling over to face the wall. Behind me, his laugh rang out—loud and carefree, like he didn’t have a single worry in the world.
Somehow, it was oddly comforting. I fell asleep to the sound, my lips curved in an unintentional smile.
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of meticulously planned run-ins with Josh and his girlfriend. Travis and I leaned into the act, playing the perfect, carefree couple. To my surprise, it didn’t feel forced.
Travis made everything easy. He was funny, spontaneous, and had this way of making me forget why I was there in the first place. We spent afternoons building sandcastles, laughing as Travis insisted mine looked like a “lopsided pancake.”
We mimicked overly peppy tour guides until tears rolled down my cheeks. And in the ocean, we splashed each other like kids, the waves swallowing our laughter. With Travis, I felt something I hadn’t expected—peace.
One evening, after dinner, Travis stood up suddenly. “Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Where?” I asked, suspicious.
“Trust me,” he said, pulling me outside and onto the beach.
“You know we’re not supposed to be here at night,” I whispered, glancing around nervously.
“Oh, relax. What’s the worst that could happen?” he said before sweeping me off my feet and carrying me toward the water.
I screamed, laughed, and begged him to put me down, but he didn’t stop until we were both soaked. Even then, he held onto me.
“You’re crazy,” I said, still laughing.
“And?” he asked, his eyes locking onto mine.
For a moment, it felt like time stopped. Our faces drifted closer, but then reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I pulled away, mumbling something about Josh.
As I waded back to the shore, I realized I thought about Josh less and less these days. Sitting on the sand, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
“Why do you even want him back?” Travis asked, joining me.
“I love him,” I said.
“Do you?” he asked, unconvinced.
“We were together for a long time,” I argued.
“But he didn’t treat you right. From what you’ve told me, he made you feel small,” Travis said.
“That’s not true,” I replied defensively.
“Maybe you just don’t see it. I talked to him, you know. He doesn’t seem like a great guy.”
“You talked to him?” I yelled.
“He came to me, asking how serious we were,” Travis explained. “But he doesn’t deserve you, Ari. He doesn’t see how amazing you are.”
“And how am I amazing?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“You’re smart, funny, stunning—”
“Stop it,” I interrupted, but he kept going.
“You scrunch your nose when you drink soda, you’re adorable when you’re angry, and you definitely snore.”
“I do not snore!” I said, hitting him lightly.
“You do. I’d bet on it,” he teased. “You’re kind to everyone, even when they don’t deserve it. And did I mention how beautiful and smart you are?”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. And then, without thinking, I kissed him. It was nothing like kissing Josh—it was better. Warmer. Real.
When I finally pulled away, Travis grinned. “Wow. Didn’t see that coming.”
“Shut up,” I replied, laughing as I leaned into him. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at peace.
The next morning, I woke up to someone shaking me. It wasn’t Travis. I opened my eyes to see Josh standing over me.
“We need to talk,” he said.
Reluctantly, I followed him outside. “What is it?” I asked.
“I can’t do this, Ari. Seeing you with someone else…I still love you. I was an idiot. Please, take me back,” he pleaded.
Before I could think, he kissed me. But instead of the rush I expected, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. I pushed him away.
“No, Josh. I can’t do this anymore,” I said. “I have someone who sees me for who I really am, and I can’t lose him.”
“We can fix this,” he insisted.
“No,” I said firmly. I turned to find Travis, but he was gone. My heart sank. He must have seen everything.
I ran through the hotel, desperate to find him. Finally, I spotted him leaving our room with his bag.
“Travis!” I called out. He didn’t stop. “Please, wait!”
He paused but didn’t turn around. “You got what you wanted. You don’t need me anymore,” he said coldly.
“No, you’re wrong. I don’t want him,” I said, my voice shaking. “I want you. You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel like this. I’m terrified of losing you.”
He stared at me, his expression unreadable. “I told him no,” I added softly.
Still, he said nothing. My heart was breaking. “Please, Travis. Don’t leave.”
After what felt like an eternity, he dropped his bag and walked back to me. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me like his life depended on it.
“Sharing a bed wasn’t such a bad idea after all,” I whispered through tears.
“Best idea ever,” he replied with a grin before pulling me into another kiss.
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