Page 80 of My Fake Fiancé

The newly engaged couple make their way through the throng of people congratulating them and all saying how much they were looking forward to the wedding. Especially seeing how amazing the engagement party is.

I watch the happy couple mingle among friends and family then turn my attention to Tatyana's dad who has just approached me asking how my new job is going. We converse for a few minutes as other guests trickle in. At one point I look up from the conversation I'm having with Tatyana's dad, and my heart starts fluttering as I see Kurt enter the restaurant.

Chapter 67

Kurt

It's been almost three weeks since I've seen or even heard from Juliana. I've thrown myself into my work and the results were great. One largely successful case and just a few days ago my boss handed me the files for one of our firm's most important cases yet.

I'm honored to take on such an important case but my nerves about Tatyana and Mike's engagement party have kept me from anything more than a few glances at the files. I'm not so much nervous for the party but I am nervous to see her again. I finally told my parents we broke up and of course, they were heartbroken. I was too. Even if it was a fake engagement, the heartbreak I felt was real.

"Kurt, are you sure you should be going tonight?" My mom stands at her kitchen island cutting up vegetables. I only dropped by to borrow one of my dad's ties. I walk over to her and kiss her cheek while tying the tie properly. She of course adjusts it just slightly then smiles.

"Yes, mom. I know both Tatyana and Mike. They even sent me an invitation after Juli and I broke up."

"I know that," my mom sighs and I can tell she is holding back something.

"What is it?" It doesn't take much pressure for her to speak.

"You're not over Juli. At all. Even a little bit. It's been three weeks. And you're still deeply madly in love."

"Wow," is all I can say. "That's dramatic."

"Well, am I wrong?" My mom puts the knife down and gives me a stern look.

"I mean, it's a bit dramatic but okay, fine. I'm not over her." I sit down on a stool across from where my mom continues to cut the veggies. "But that doesn't mean I can't handle this party. Maybe she won’t be there. Okay, she definitely will, Tatyana is her best friend but I probably won't even run into her."

Mom gives me another look which makes me keep talking.

"Even if I do, I'll be fine." I try to reassure her and myself. Wow, I'm getting close to 30 and I still act a fool over a girl. "I'll be fine," I repeat, firmer this time.

"Sure, you'll be fine." My mom gives a small smile, a sly smile. "You look very handsome. Have a nice evening." My mom practically shoos me out the door.

"Thanks for the tie, Dad!" I shout on my way out and I see him wave goodbye.

On the drive over I can feel my heartbeat speeding up. When I pulled into the nearly full parking lot of El Mezcal, I sigh and grip the steering wheel, trying to mentally prepare myself for the evening.

I join a group gathered in front of the restaurant, introducing myself and recognizing some of them, and then I make my entrance with them. The room is crowded. Tatyana is quite popular and super friendly so I am not surprised by the number of people attending the engagement party. I can feel eyes on me but from the looks I've been getting recently from my parents, it's probably just someone who feels sad about my broken engagement. I've already had a couple of people approach me and tell me how brave I am for coming here tonight. Smiling and waving away their worries is the only thing I can think to do at the moment.

The room gets too crowded for me so I make my way to the back patio which is also decorated for the evening. I admire the decorations while I walk further away from the restaurant doors, the noise growing quieter. I can still hear the chatter from the inside since the doors are propped open but it's quieter out here. A beautiful evening really.

"Hi, Kurt," a voice says softly and I turn to find Juliana a couple feet from me. I take a step back automatically and my fingers begin to sweat around the glass I'm clutching a little too hard.

"Juliana," I begin, then clear my throat. "Hi, wow you look incredible." I regain my cool but can't help from looking her up and down in appreciation. A light blush appears on her cheeks and she looks down at the ground but I catch a smile on her face.

"Thank you, you look very handsome." She offers in return. I look down at my own attire and am grateful I dressed up for this evening. "How have you been?" Juliana asks and I realize we've been standing in silence for a few seconds.

"Good. Well. Work has been great lately. I was handed a big case last week, so I'll have my hands full in the coming months." I chuckle and Juliana looks up at me smiling. God, I've missed that smile.

"That's great! I was always so impressed by how great you were at your job. I'm glad your bosses recognize that too."

"How is your job?" I ask, thinking of her retail days but having heard through my parents that she put in her notice shortly after our "break up" and was already into something new.

"Good," Juliana pauses, her hands holding each other and twisting slightly. "Actually, it's amazing. I love it. I'm sure you've heard that I have moved on from the retail life." I nod and she continues talking. "Well, now I'm doing something that I enjoy. And no more mean customers. Okay, that's not entirely true but for the most part, everyone is nice, they’re just passionate."

Juliana again graces me with her smile and I can't help but smile back. I'm happy for her, and I want to hear more about her job. It seems like she is enjoying it.

"I wanted to talk to you..." Juliana begins to say but is interrupted by a crowd of guests joining us out on the patio. Before I know it, Juliana gets swept away by some of her friends. I see her looking for me but I can't reach her and I don't want to be rude and keep them from taking her.

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