Page 23 of My Fake Fiancé

“Why would they think that?” I ask calmly and I hear Tatyana’s intake of air and I know that she knows my calmness is not good. Kurt hears her intake of air and looks at her curiously but when she gives nothing in return he turns back to me.

“I honestly don’t remember how they landed on that idea but they think cohabitating would be a great idea since we are moving so quickly, it would give us more time to see if we work… So, you should probably move in with me, soon.” He says, casually. I snort.

“Oh, yeah, okay. Sounds good.” My sarcastic response is met with silence. “Really? No one is backing me up on this? This is a stupid idea.” I look at Tatyana and I catch her and Mike sharing a look. “What? Tatyana? What is it?”

“Well…he does have a point,” Tatyana says, cautiously, looking in the rearview mirror at me. “You guys are engaged. Most people in your position would probably be living together at this point…” I roll my eyes. Really? “But then again, many couples wait until after they’re married,” Tatyana adds, seeing my displeasure.

“You don’t have to totally move in. We could just move some of your stuff into my apartment and just make it look like you live there.” He offers but it’s not convincing me.

“No, absolutely not. No, I cannot move in with you. Not even falsely. That’s too far.” I complain and give Tatyana a look when she starts to object, so she keeps her mouth shut.

“Juli, you asked me for help. I think this is the best idea. It’ll convince everyone that we are together.” He emphasizes the word ‘everyone’ indicating Callum and I nod reluctantly.

“Fine. Fine. They think we are already living together?” I ask and he nods looking a bit embarrassed. “You have neighbors, right? Wouldn’t they be a bit confused if suddenly you have a fiancé living with you? Who supposedly has been living with you for a while?”

“Yeah, I guess so. But they know Ashley has been in the building,” I flinch internally at his mention of Ashley and I scold myself. “They don’t know her, or her name really so maybe I can convince them that she was really you…” He trails off. “But we should invite them over and maybe my co-workers, to introduce you to them?” He says as a question.

“Okay,” I agree. “If we are going to do this, that sounds okay.” I look up at the quiet pair in the front seats. “This is crazy, isn’t it?” Tatyana and Mike laugh.

“Yes, it definitely is,” Mike responds and Tatyana reaches over and whacks him playfully.

“Don’t listen to him. He is crazy, well, then he would know crazy when he sees it.” She laughs and he grabs her hand, holding it on her leg and I smile at them. They are cute together and a little part of me envies their relationship. I look over at Kurt and see him too, smiling at their hands intertwined together.

“Okay, so we should have a get-together?” I ask to make sure that was the end plan. Everyone in the car agrees.

So, like that, we decided to host a housewarming party. We planned for the party for another hour before Kurt drove me home and over the next few days we got together and planned the party between work and sleep. Kurt has a steady job but often works longer hours if his caseload requires more time, so sometimes we can’t get together until later in the evening.

After much discussion, we decided that for it to be more authentic and to plan the house party, I should stay at his apartment for a short period of time. I felt bad that I would be moving into his home for a while and that is why I started looking for a second job but Kurt is kind and tells me I didn’t need to worry about paying for anything. I still feel guilty for putting him in this situation so I decide take on extra hours at work while searching for a new job and give my money wherever I can to help.

Chapter 23

Juliana

Move-in day finally arrives and I am a bundle of nerves. I was able to rope Tatyana and Mike into helping me pack up a few of my things to make it look like I had actually been living there for a little while. Kurt was at work while I moved in so I had time to make it look like our place.

“You don’t think he’ll be mad?” I ask and Tatyana laughs, Mike rolls his eyes.

“If I came home to this, I’d be mad,” he responds and Tatyana grins happily.

“Yeah, but you would end up loving it. Just like Kurt will. It looks authentic. It’s a little overwhelming but you two are still a newer couple so people will understand why he hasn’t tried to tone you down yet.” Tatyana laughs again and puts a floral pillow on the couch, arranging it with other similar colored pillows.

“He’s going to be home soon.” I look around the room nervously. “Are you sure he won’t mind? I think it might be too much.”

Mike shrugs. “Nah, it’s fine.” He turns to Tatyana. “You ready to go?”

She nods then pulls me into a hug. “The place looks great. Don’t worry about it. Have fun.”

“Wait, y’all are leaving me to deal with this all by myself?” They both laugh then Mike tugs her out the door and I pout as the door shuts behind them. I look around the room and twirl my fingers nervously. I make my way into the bedroom and put my suitcase in the back of the closet, folding a few of my smaller bags to fit inside the suitcase. While in the closet, I straighten out a few of my dresses and dress shirts. I hope I’m not taking up too much room.

I’m in the closet organizing my many shoes when I hear the door being unlocked. I stand up and make my way out of the closet and the bedroom, stopping to check my appearance in the mirror before walking into the living room. Kurt enters and he sees me and smiles.

“Hi honey, I’m home,” Kurt says. I laugh, appreciating his sense of humor. He makes his way over to the kitchen, tosses his keys onto the counter, and puts his bag on a chair at the table. I watch as he goes and grabs a glass and makes himself some water. Then I wait as he looks around the room, taking everything in.

“Is it too much?” I ask nervously and I take in the room again. He takes a minute, studying the little changes. New couch pillows, a few decorations of mine on the walls, and some pictures placed here and there. “I put some of my things in the closet… I hope that’s okay.”

He nods, taking a sip from his glass before replying. “That’s why I moved some of my things, to make room for yours. Just like an actual fiancé would have to do.” He chuckles and I smile.

Suddenly, I get a little nervous and a bit embarrassed. “Oh gosh, I am so sorry. I should have had dinner made for when you got home or at least had it started. You’ve been at work all day, you must be starving. Well, I hope you ate lunch but still, that was a few hours ago so you’re probably hungry again. Gosh, I’d really make a poor wife. Thank God you’re not actually marrying me, right?” I laugh awkwardly, rambling to no end and he laughs alongside me and shakes his head.

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