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 her realize it, and see how everything fell into place. But as the days went by, nothing went as planned, which made me question everything.

I might have done the craziest thing in my life, but there was no going back. I was at the airport, nervously checking my phone every few seconds, wondering if Travis would show up. The whole situation seemed ridiculous.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Just a few days ago, he was just a stranger in a bar, someone I barely knew. I remember how he casually mentioned he was short on cash while I, heartbroken, was telling him that Josh had dumped me.

Somehow, in that jumble of conversation, a wild, impulsive, and perhaps somewhat brilliant idea occurred to me.

“Hello,” a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Travis.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, hi,” I said, trying to sound calm.

“Do you still think it’s a good idea?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “But it could work. What about you?”

“For me, there are no problems. I’m going on vacation with a pretty girl and I’m getting paid for it,” Travis said with a smile.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My cheeks felt like they were burning. “If I were pretty, he wouldn’t have left me.”

“He’s nothing but an idiot,” Travis retorted.

We went through security and boarded the plane. That’s when I saw him: Josh. And, of course, his new girlfriend was by his side. He seemed surprised to see me.

“Ari? What are you doing here?” he asked.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I felt Travis slide his arm around my waist. “I’m going on vacation with my boyfriend,” I said, though I could barely hide the panic bubbling inside me. I wanted Josh to be jealous, but he seemed completely unfazed.

“Yes, we needed some time alone,” Travis added gently.

“Oh, we’re doing the same thing…” Josh began, but Travis cut him off.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Sorry, we need to find our seats,” he said, pushing me aside.

I was still dazed when we sat down and fastened our seatbelts. Once we were settled, I was finally able to thank Travis. “I was completely frozen. Thank you for intervening.”

“That’s why I’m here,” he replied with a playful smile.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As the plane took off, I stared out the window, watching the clouds swirling below us and repeating everything that was in my head.

The plan was simple, at least on paper. Make Josh jealous, make him regret letting me go, and win him back.

I had thought of every detail, making sure it looked natural. Travis and I were supposed to be the picture of a happy, carefree couple.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Even staying at the same hotel as Josh wasn’t a coincidence. Thanks to mutual friends, I knew all about his vacation plans. Now all that was left was to play my part and make him realize it.

When we arrived at the hotel, exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. I was ready to give up and collapse on the bed.

However, that hope vanished as soon as we opened the door and saw the room.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“There’s only one bed,” I said, my voice cracking with disbelief.

“Yes, I see that,” Travis replied, amused.

“This has to be a mistake. I booked a room with two beds,” I insisted, picking up the phone.

“Maybe they got confused,” Travis said. “That’s okay. We can share it.”

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Of course not,” I replied.

“What’s the problem? Are you afraid Josh will find out? Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?” he joked.

“I can’t share a bed with someone I barely know,” I said firmly.

“Why not? It’s just sleeping,” he replied.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Because it’s wrong… I’m not that kind of person,” I insisted.

“You’re too stuck-up,” Travis said, shaking his head.

“And you’re too laid-back,” I retorted.

Without saying anything else, I went to reception to sort things out. But when I explained the situation, the receptionist told me there was no mistake.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I expressly reserved two beds,” I argued.

“What’s the problem, Ari? Is something wrong?” Josh’s voice suddenly intervened, catching me off guard.

“What? No, no problem,” I stammered.

“Well, we have a…”, the receptionist began.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Everything is perfect,” I interrupted. “The room is beautiful. Very romantic. My boyfriend and I are delighted.”

The receptionist seemed confused, but didn’t insist further.

“So… a boyfriend, huh?” Josh said with a teasing smile. “I didn’t expect you to move on so quickly.”

“Well, you didn’t exactly come alone,” I replied.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“But we are different,” he said.

“I’ve 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 come back to me. And now? Not so much.

Back in the room, I told Travis that we were staying and not to ask any questions about it.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

We decided to go to bed early and got into bed, each of us snuggled up next to him. I stretched out as far away from him as possible.

“So you’re that kind of person,” Travis said just as I was falling asleep.

At first I didn’t understand what he meant. Then I realized, and I felt my face get hot.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Without thinking, I grabbed a pillow and hit him with it, laughing despite myself.

“You’re impossible,” I muttered, turning around to face the wall.

Behind me, I could hear her laughter, loud and carefree, as if she didn’t have a single worry in the world.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Somehow, it was strangely comforting. I fell asleep to that sound, my lips curling into an involuntary smile.

The following days passed in a whirlwind of meticulously planned encounters with Josh and his girlfriend.

Travis and I acted out the perfect, carefree couple. To my surprise, it didn’t seem forced.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Travis made everything easy. He was funny, spontaneous, and had the ability to make me forget why I was there.

We spent our afternoons building sandcastles, laughing when Travis insisted that mine looked like a “tilted pancake”.

We imitated overly cheerful tour guides until I burst into tears. And in the ocean, we splashed each other like children, while the waves swallowed our laughter. With Travis, I felt something I hadn’t expected: peace.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

One night, after dinner, Travis suddenly stood up. “Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand to me.

“Where to?” I asked, suspiciously.

“Trust me,” he said, pulling me out and toward the beach.

“You know we’re not supposed to be here at night,” I whispered, glancing nervously around.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Relax. What’s the worst that can happen?” he said before getting up and leading me towards the water.

I screamed, laughed, and begged him to let me down, but he didn’t stop until we were both soaked. Even then, he clung to me.

“You’re crazy,” I told him, still laughing.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“So?” he asked, fixing his eyes on mine.

For a moment, I felt like time stood still. Our faces drew closer, but then reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

I stepped back, muttering something about Josh. As I walked back to shore, I realized I was thinking less and less about Josh. Sitting on the sand, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Why do you want me to come back?” Travis asked, joining me.

“I want it,” I said.

“Do you want it?” he asked, sounding unconvinced.

“We were together for a long time,” I argued.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“But he didn’t treat you well. 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’ve spoken to him. He doesn’t seem like a great guy.”

“Have you spoken to him?” I shouted.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“He came to ask me if we were serious,” Travis explained. “But he doesn’t deserve you, Ari. He doesn’t see how amazing you are.”

“And in what way am I amazing?” I asked, with genuine curiosity.

“You’re smart, funny, amazing…”

“Enough,” I interrupted, but he continued.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You wrinkle your nose when you drink soda, you’re adorable when you’re angry, and you definitely snore.”

“I don’t snore!” I said, hitting him lightly.

“You do snore. I’d bet on it,” he joked. “You’re kind to everyone, even when they don’t deserve it. And did I mention how beautiful and intelligent 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.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

When I finally stepped aside, Travis smiled. “Wow, I didn’t expect that.”

“Shut up,” I replied, laughing as I leaned toward 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 and saw Josh standing next to me.

“We need to talk,” he told me.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Reluctantly, I followed him outside. “What’s wrong?” I asked him.

“I can’t do it, Ari. Seeing you with someone else… I still love you. I’ve been an idiot. Please, take me back,” he begged me.

Before I could think, he kissed me. But instead of the thrill I expected, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. I pushed him away.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“No, Josh. I can’t go on like this,” I told him. “I have someone who sees me for who I really am, and I can’t lose him.”

“We can fix it,” he insisted.

“No,” I said firmly. I turned to look for Travis, but he was gone. My heart sank. He must have seen everything.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I ran around the hotel, desperate to find him. Finally, I saw him leaving our room with his suitcase.

“Travis!” I yelled. He didn’t stop. “Please, wait!”

She paused, but didn’t turn around. “You got what you wanted. You don’t need me anymore,” she said coldly.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“No, you’re wrong. I don’t want it,” I said, my voice trembling. “I want you. You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel this way. I’m terrified of losing you.”

She stared at me, her expression unreadable. “I told her no,” I added quietly.

Even so, he said nothing. My heart was breaking. “Please, Travis. Don’t go.”

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

After what felt like an eternity, she dropped the suitcase and came back to me. She cupped my face in her hands and kissed me as if her life depended on it.

“After all, sharing the bed wasn’t such a bad idea,” I whispered through tears.

“The best idea in the world,” she replied with a smile before giving me another kiss.

For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustrative purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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