Accidentally Yours Chapter 1 Part 1
Chapter 1 · Part One
Accidentally Yours
Patrick
My shoulders stiffened as I swung open the door. The sight before me—crowded benches lined with couples and gawking women—sent a rush of irritation through my veins. My hand dug into my hair as I shot a glare down Tessa’s path, a scowl settling on my face.
Because, of course, she’d set this up.
She had sworn up and down that the beach resort would be private. The kind of people who didn’t care about us, she’d assured me, smug smile and all.
Yet here we were. In a sea of people.
And there she sat, practically glowing on the sand, eyes fixed on the ocean as if none of this chaos mattered. She hadn’t even bothered with a hat or sunglasses.
Tessa McAdams. In plain sight.
Meeting up with Patrick Lawrence.
Real subtle.
A sigh escaped my lungs as I stepped back, my eyes narrowing. She arched an eyebrow at me, clearly expecting I’d stroll over and play along with her little scheme—as if I hadn’t already been stupid enough to believe her.
Right. Because sacrificing my reputation for Tessa McAdams was on my to-do list. No, thank you.
Fame might be a headache, but I wasn’t about to throw it all away for her.
Just as I was ready to turn and leave, a blonde woman approached me, her gaze practically dripping with awe.
Great.
Even with the black hat and sunglasses, I’d been recognized. I was Patrick Lawrence, after all—the nation’s so-called sweetheart.
“Patrick Lawrence?” Her voice trembled with excitement. “Oh my God. Is it really you?”
I lifted my head, forcing a frown. “I’m sorry, but now’s not—”
“Please, just one selfie?”
Silence stretched between us.
I wasn’t in the mood for fan photos. But I knew how this went. Refuse, and rumors would start. They always did.
The blonde leaned in, lowering her voice as her eyes flicked toward Tessa. “I mean… it’d be amazing if you could. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about all this.”
I cursed under my breath.
She’d caught on, just like the rest. The entire beach was probably piecing it together already.
“You don’t need to do that,” I said, my tone clipped. “I’ll take the selfie.”
Her face lit up. “Oh my gosh, thank you.”
Whatever.
I took her phone, forced a smile, and snapped the picture. Done.
I pulled away from the beach without so much as a glance at Tessa.
The bitch was just like all the others—eager to take advantage of the hype and headlines.
Nice try.
Suppose this whole mess blew up. Fine. But I wouldn’t let her use me.
I left the building faster than planned, ignoring the receptionist calling my name. Whatever Tessa was stirring up wouldn’t wreck me.
And yet, maybe that’s all I had left: hope.
Ridiculous.
Because if there was one thing the universe had taught me, it was that hope was a joke—a pretty lie people told themselves.
No more.
Not this time.