Page 74 of My Fake Fiancé

Nicole takes the flowers, giving Juliana a big grin. "Thank you so much. They are beautiful."

"Well, thank you for inviting us to dinner," Juliana responds, smiling politely, beginning to relax.

"Where are the two little ones?" I ask, looking around the house. Before I can react, streaking children come running and fling themselves at me. "Oof!"

"Maggie! You know better than that. And your behavior teaches your brother that it is okay for him to do that too." Nicole bends down and peels Maggie off of me. "Sorry, Kurt." I wave away the apology then grab the two-year-old in one arm, lifting him up to say hello.

"Kurt, you know these two but Juliana these are our kids. Maggie is five, turning six soon. and the little one there is Benjamin. He is two. And it feels like he's been two for ten years." Dave makes the introductions and laughs when his wife smacks him for complaining. Dave takes Benjamin back from me but before he can get him to settle, Benjamin reaches out for Juliana.

Juliana doesn't hesitate and takes Benjamin from Dave and settles him against her hip, bouncing him gently. She holds his tiny hand and makes cooing noises at him. I try not to stare at how incredible she looks with a baby on her hip. It’s so natural to her and it makes me think about our future, our fake future.

"I think he likes you, Juliana," Nicole says to her as she sets Maggie back on the ground. "Well, I have just a few more things to finish up in the kitchen, please make yourselves at home. I have to put these in some water." Nicole holds up the flowers, smiling again at Juliana.

"I'll help you in the kitchen," Juliana offers and follows Nicole into the kitchen chatting with her, with Benjamin happily watching the two of them.

Dave and I go into the living room with Maggie trailing behind us. Dave takes a seat in the chair by the couch and I sit on the couch leaning back to relax after a long day of work and the mostly awkward car ride.

"Juli is so kind. Especially to Benjamin, and I know he is a handful." Dave and I both chuckle. We chat for a few minutes mostly talking about his kids before Nicole calls to us.

"Alright boys, dinner is ready. Dave, honey, can you please get Maggie settled at the table."

"Sure, you need help with Benjamin too?" Dave responds, getting up and picking up Maggie. I get up with him and Juliana appears from the kitchen.

"I can do it if you don't mind." Juliana offers, still holding Benjamin. And he seems to like her a lot.

"Not at all, thank you," Dave gets Maggie settled and I watch while Juliana carefully handles Benjamin putting him in his high chair, getting him up to the table, and putting his little bib on him.

Nicole appears next to me and bumps her shoulder against mine. She speaks quietly, "She is amazing. Benjamin loves her. Are y'all thinking of having kids soon?"

When I can’t answer right away, Nicole laughs and pats my back before joining everyone at the table. I clear my throat and then sit in the remaining seat next to Juliana.

Chapter 64

Juliana

Dinner goes pretty smoothly and I am actually having a great time. Nicole and Dave haven't asked any questions about our relationship and instead, they ask me about my family and my job. I brace myself the whole night just in case they do ask. I honestly am not sure what I would say if they did ask.

I think Nicole said something to Kurt earlier but I couldn't hear and it wasn't repeated so I didn't bring it up.

By the end of the night, I've had an amazing evening. Nicole and Dave are a sweet couple and surprisingly things with Kurt were not awkward. At all. I've missed Kurt. It hasn't been that long since we were living together and I didn't realize how important he had become to me. Of course, he was important to me. Is still important.

My heart starts to flutter while we stand in the driveway chatting before hitting the road. I place my hand on my heart hoping to calm it down. Nicole catches my motion as the guys talk, and she pulls me aside gently.

"Is everything okay?" Nicole cradles her little boy in her arms as we speak. He was supposed to be asleep before dinner started but he wanted to join us. He lasted about half an hour in his seat before Nicole had to hold him and then he quickly fell asleep on Nicole's lap. He's been asleep for almost an hour but she hasn't put him down.

I nod and smile politely. Nicole looks at me for a moment then she smiles back, a softer smile.

"You know, I was skeptical at first," Nicole says and her voice brings me back to the present, to focus.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when Dave told me Kurt was engaged, yet we had never heard of you before, I was skeptical. I thought maybe he was rushing into things. His last girlfriend was very manipulative and Dave and I both worried it was too soon or the wrong girl." Nicole pauses and I look over at Kurt and Dave. Kurt turns at that moment and catches me looking, he smiles at me and I automatically smile back. "Now, I see that I had no reason to be skeptical. You're in love with him. And he is very much in love with you."

With her words, my heart cries out again and it takes everything in me not to physically react.

"How can you tell?" I whisper softly, barely being able to get the words out, fearing what my emotions might release.

Nicole reaches out and rubs my arm reassuringly.

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