The Vacation That Changed Everything

I thought that going on vacation with a stranger to make my ex regret leaving me was a genius idea. My plan was simple: act happy, show off my new “relationship,” and make Josh feel jealous. I figured everything would fall into place. But instead, nothing went the way I expected—and it left me questioning not only my plan but myself as well.

Standing in the crowded airport, nervously checking my phone, I couldn’t help but wonder if Travis, the stranger I had convinced to join me on this wild adventure, would actually show up. The plan had started one night at a bar during a conversation with a man I barely knew. Heartbroken after Josh left me for someone else, I poured my heart out to Travis. Somehow, amidst my tears, he mentioned he was low on cash and could really use a free vacation.

It felt like fate—he needed a break, and I needed to make Josh regret what he’d done.

The deal was simple: Travis got a free trip, and I got a companion to help me make Josh jealous.

“Hey!” Travis’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up and saw him standing there, looking far more relaxed than I felt. He had a grin on his face, like he wasn’t stressed at all.

“You made it,” I said, trying to sound confident, though I wasn’t sure if I even believed it myself.

“So, still think this is a good idea?” Travis asked, raising an eyebrow.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. “Not really. But here we are.”

Travis shrugged and grinned. “No complaints here. I’m on vacation with a beautiful woman, and I’m getting paid for it,” he said with a wink. My cheeks turned bright red, and I laughed awkwardly, trying to shake off my nerves.

We boarded the plane, and that’s when I saw him—Josh, sitting with his new girlfriend. The sight of him with someone else hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Ari? What are you doing here?” Josh asked, looking both surprised and a little suspicious. He glanced at Travis, his expression changing from confusion to wariness.

Before I could answer, Travis smoothly slid his arm around my waist, pulling me a little closer to him. “Heading on vacation with my boyfriend,” I said, the words feeling strange coming out of my mouth. But it was necessary for the plan, so I forced the awkwardness down.

Josh just shrugged, barely masking his indifference. “Well, have fun,” he said, not even bothering to give me a second glance.

That stung more than I expected. I had hoped for a little more reaction from him, but it was as if I meant nothing at all anymore.

As the plane took off, I replayed the plan in my head. It had seemed foolproof—make Josh jealous, prove that I was thriving without him, and win him back. The hotel where we’d be staying wasn’t a coincidence. I knew exactly where he’d be, thanks to mutual friends. All Travis and I had to do was keep up the act.

But when we arrived at the hotel and opened the door to our room, I froze. “There’s only one bed,” I muttered, staring at the bed in disbelief.

Travis looked at me and then at the bed, clearly finding the situation amusing. “Looks like we’re getting cozy,” he said, his grin widening.

“Absolutely not,” I insisted, rushing straight to the front desk to fix the mistake. But as luck would have it, Josh overheard.

“Problems already?” he called out from behind me, a teasing smirk on his face.

“Nope. Everything’s perfect,” I lied, forcing a smile. My voice was shaky, but I tried to keep it together. Travis leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying the chaos unfolding.

That night, sharing the bed became inevitable. I clung to the edge of the mattress, trying to stay as far from Travis as possible. But Travis, ever the joker, teased me relentlessly. “Relax, Ari. It’s just sleeping,” he said, laughing when I swatted him with a pillow.

The next few days flew by in a blur of awkward encounters with Josh and his girlfriend. To my surprise, Travis played his part effortlessly. He was charming, funny, and made everything feel easy. He knew how to make me laugh in a way I hadn’t in months. Whether we were building sandcastles, mocking overly enthusiastic tour guides, or splashing around in the ocean like kids, I started to feel… happy.

One night, after a particularly fun dinner, Travis grabbed my hand. “Let’s go,” he said, his voice light and full of excitement. He led me down to the beach, and before I knew what was happening, he picked me up in his arms 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. Standing there, under the stars, he looked at me with a seriousness I hadn’t seen before.

For a moment, I thought he might kiss me, but the thought quickly disappeared. Instead, I mumbled something about Josh and turned away, retreating back to the safety of our hotel room.

The turning point came the next morning when Josh cornered me in the hotel lobby. His voice was full of regret when he spoke.

“Ari, I still love you,” he said, his eyes searching mine. “Take me back.”

When he kissed me, I felt… nothing. There was no rush of emotions, no desire to give him a second chance. All I felt was numb. And then, in a moment of clarity, I realized how much I had changed over the last few days.

“No, Josh,” I said firmly. “I deserve someone who truly sees me. And that’s not you.”

When I returned to our room, I found Travis packing his things. Panic set in as I saw him grab his bag. “Travis!” I called out, running to stop him. “Please don’t go.”

He looked at me, his face cold. “You don’t need me anymore.”

“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 for a moment, his tough exterior softening. “I told him no,” I added quietly.

Finally, Travis dropped his bag, and walked back toward me. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me—not as part of the act, but because he truly wanted to.

“Sharing that bed wasn’t so bad after all,” I said with a small laugh, tears streaming down my face.

“Best part of the trip,” Travis replied with a grin, pulling me into another kiss.

What started as a plan to make Josh jealous turned into something far more meaningful. In trying to fake happiness, I found something real—something I didn’t expect but desperately needed. Sometimes, the best plans are the ones that fail spectacularly.

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