Page 73 of My Fake Fiancé

"Kurt didn't know Mike and I got engaged. So I was just filling him in." Tatyana gives me a look and I laugh awkwardly.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Everything's been so busy and weird I didn't get around to letting you know."

"It's no worry," he says to me and I feel butterflies in my stomach, his voice as appealing as ever. I ignore them and try to push those feelings away. Kurt turns to Tatyana. "Well, anyway, congratulations to both of you. That's amazing." He leans in and offers her a warm embrace before turning to me. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," I step back, letting him lead, then smile at Tatyana. "I'll text you if I'm going to be back later than expected." Her response is to wiggle her eyebrows at me, I roll my eyes but stifle a laugh and follow Kurt out the door.

Chapter 63

Kurt

When Juliana turns to say goodbye to Tatyana, I take the moment to admire her. She looks great. She probably dressed up to be polite for this dinner, but some part of me hopes she dressed up for me too.

We leave the apartment and head down to the curbside where I parked my car. Juliana is quiet for a few minutes so I pay attention to the directions to Dave's house.

"Dave and Nicole. That's their names right?" Juliana says after a few moments of silence. Her voice is soft. "I remember meeting Dave but I don't think I've met Nicole. That is what you said her name is, right?"

"Yes," I reassure her. "You met Dave at our housewarming party but his wife, Nicole, was unable to make it." I turn onto the highway, rolling the windows up.

"Okay," Juliana hesitates. “That’s probably a good thing,” she adds, chuckling lightly. I nod in agreement.

"We don't have to do this. I knew it was going to be awkward but... I should just tell them we aren't together." I start looking for an exit to get off and turn around to bring Juliana back to her apartment. "I don't know why I haven't been able to tell anyone we broke up. Or called off our engagement I guess."

"I haven't told anyone either," Juliana admits. "Well, besides Tatyana but she already knew we weren't really together."

"Right. Why haven't you told anyone? Don't you think you should mention that especially if you're back to dating Callum?" I can't keep the bitterness out of my voice. I shouldn't feel hurt by her decision to go back to him, but I do. I hope Juliana doesn't hear the tone of my voice. Especially because I did something similar the day we broke up.

"I'm sorry," Juliana says softly, I wait for her to say more, why is she sorry? But she doesn't elaborate. "I think we should go. I liked Dave, I would feel bad if they have a whole meal set up and we bail at the last minute. So I think we should go. If you're okay with that? I mean, we are already on the way there too."

I give it a few seconds before I respond but I keep the car steady on the highway.

"Okay." My phone announces our next turn, allowing me to keep my response short.

Once we pull into their neighborhood, I look over at Juliana. She's watching the houses pass us by, I clear my throat and she looks over at me.

"Sorry, did you say something?" Juliana asks, shifting in her seat to face me.

"No, but I just thought I should warn you. They do have two young children. They are wild. I think one of them is two years old and the other is maybe 5. I know she's a couple of years older than her brother."

"Terrible twos." Juliana chuckles. "I like children."

I give her a quick smile then turn back to the road. Of course, she likes children. Because she's amazing. Wow, I need to calm down.

"Oh wow, their house is gorgeous," Juliana says, breaking my train of thought, just in time so I don't miss their driveway. I pull into it and park the car. Juliana blows out a breath. "Whew, why am I so nervous?"

I look over at her again and she is watching me. I smile and she automatically smiles back. I'm nervous too but I don't want to admit that to her or myself.

"We should go in." Juliana nods in agreement and we both get out of the car. Juliana is holding a small bouquet of flowers. "Where did you get those?"

"I've had them the whole time." She laughs at me and I smile. "Hostess gift. Didn't your momma teach you to bring a gift for whoever is hosting?"

"She did. You're right. Wow, she would be so disappointed right now." The smiling and joking has calmed me down a little. When I knock on the door and it flies open to reveal a grinning Dave, I'm suddenly excited.

"Kurt! Juliana! You guys made it, right on time!" Dave grabs my hand, pulling me into the house and he slaps me on my back then pulls Juliana into a hug. "Nicole, they're here!"

"Yes dear, I heard them knocking!" Nicole calls back to him then she appears out of the kitchen, still wearing an apron. "Hi, Kurt. Nice to meet you, Juliana." She says, coming forward and hugging both of us separately.

"Nice to meet you too, Nicole." Juliana smiles at them both and I can see some of her nerves fading. "Here, these flowers are for you."

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