I thought it was a genius idea: go on vacation with a complete stranger just to make my ex jealous. Simple, right? I’d look happy, carefree, and fabulous—Josh would see me living my best life and totally regret dumping me. Then maybe… just maybe… he’d come crawling back.
But wow, I was so wrong.
It all started at a bar. I was a mess—sad, emotional, drowning my heartbreak in a glass of something strong—when I started talking to this guy I barely knew. His name was Travis. He had that easygoing smile and kind eyes, and somehow, in my very dramatic, post-breakup state, I spilled everything.
He listened. Then told me he was broke and needed a break from his life too. And just like that, my wild brain lit up with a plan.
“You come with me on this trip,” I told him. “I cover the cost. You pretend to be my boyfriend. And together… we’ll make my ex jealous.”
Travis laughed, then nodded. “Sure. Free vacation and fake dating? I’ve done dumber things.”
Fast forward to the airport. I was standing in the middle of the chaos, nervously checking my phone for the hundredth time. Was he even going to show up?
Then I heard a voice.
“Hey.”
I turned, and there he was—Travis, cool as ever, walking toward me with that same relaxed grin.
“You made it,” I said, trying to sound confident, even though my hands were sweaty.
He raised an eyebrow. “Still think this is a good idea?”
I forced a smile. “Honestly? Not even a little.”
Travis just chuckled. “No complaints here. I’m getting a free trip and hanging out with a gorgeous woman.”
I blushed. Why did he have to say things like that so casually?
We boarded the plane, and I felt like I could finally breathe—until we started walking down the aisle… and I saw him.
Josh. My Josh. Right there in the middle row. And sitting next to him? His new girlfriend.
My stomach dropped. Of course this would happen.
“Ari?” Josh blinked, clearly surprised. “What are you doing here?”
Before I could answer, Travis smoothly slipped his arm around my waist.
“We’re heading on vacation,” I said quickly, smiling like it was the most normal thing ever. “With my boyfriend.”
Josh’s face barely changed. He just shrugged. “Well… have fun.”
Seriously? That was it?
I sat down next to Travis, fuming. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to look heartbroken, regretful. Not fine.
And it didn’t help that when we got to the hotel, I opened our room door and froze.
“There’s only one bed,” I said, staring in horror.
Travis peeked over my shoulder and burst out laughing. “Guess we’re getting cozy.”
“No. Nope. Absolutely not.” I stormed down to the front desk. But just my luck—Josh was right there and overheard me.
“Problems already?” he said, smirking.
I smiled through clenched teeth. “Everything’s perfect, thanks.”
Back in the room, there was no way around it—we had to share the bed. I laid on the edge like a plank of wood, trying not to move an inch.
“Relax,” Travis said, already half asleep. “It’s just a bed. I don’t bite.”
I swatted him with a pillow. “Keep to your side!”
The next few days were… chaotic. I kept bumping into Josh and his girlfriend, which was torture. But surprisingly, Travis made it bearable. He was funny. Like, really funny. We splashed around at the beach, built the ugliest sandcastle imaginable, and laughed until our faces hurt.
And somewhere in all the pretending… I started to feel happy. Genuinely happy.
One night, after dinner, Travis suddenly grabbed my hand. “Come on,” he said with that mischievous spark in his eyes.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Just trust me.”
We ran down to the beach, and before I could stop him, he scooped me up and charged straight into the waves.
“Put me down!” I screamed, laughing. “Travis, I swear—”
But he just laughed and held on tighter. We ended up soaked, standing under the stars, dripping and breathless.
He looked at me, his smile fading a little. “You okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, suddenly feeling everything slow down. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me.
But then I ruined it.
I mumbled something dumb about Josh and walked away before I could say—or feel—anything else.
The next morning, Josh found me in the hotel lobby. His face was serious. “Ari,” he said. “I still love you. I messed up. Take me back.”
Then he kissed me.
And I felt… nothing.
The butterflies I expected? Gone. The spark? Dead.
I pulled away, finally seeing things clearly. “No, Josh. I deserve someone who really sees me. That’s not you.”
I walked away, feeling lighter than I had in weeks—maybe months.
But when I got back to the room… Travis was gone.
His bag. His clothes. All gone.
Panic exploded in my chest. I ran outside and spotted him walking down the path with his backpack slung over one shoulder.
“Travis!” I shouted. “Please don’t go!”
He stopped and turned slowly. His face was calm, but his eyes looked sad.
“You don’t need me anymore,” he said quietly.
“Yes, I do,” I said, my voice shaking. “I don’t want him. I want you. You made me laugh again. You made me feel like me again. I don’t want to lose that—I don’t want to lose you.”
Travis didn’t speak at first. He just stared at me. Then he dropped his bag.
He walked toward me, gently held my face in his hands, and kissed me. It wasn’t part of the plan. It wasn’t for show.
It was real.
I laughed through tears. “Sharing that bed wasn’t so bad after all.”
He grinned. “Best part of the trip.”
And just like that, everything changed. What started as a silly plan to get my ex back turned into something real—something unexpected and beautiful.
Sometimes, your plan fails in the best possible way.
What did you think of this wild ride? Would you ever fake-date someone to make your ex jealous? Let’s talk in the comments!
