Page 26 of My Fake Fiancé

“Beautiful,” I comment when he stands back to admire his work.

“I agree. Now, go get ready for bed,” Kurt tells me and I narrow my eyes at him.

“Wow, someone is bossy,” I point out and put my hands on my hips, feeling my stubbornness kick in. “I don’t think I knew that before we got engaged.”

“Yeah, well, there is a lot we didn’t learn about each other before getting engaged,” Kurt says and I feel the tension in the room thickening. I was trying to make a joke but I realize it was distasteful. I know we hardly know anything about each other.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I look down at my feet. Kurt clears his throat and I look back up. “I should go shower,” I say after a few seconds.

“Okay, I am going to finish up some work.” Kurt gestures back to the living room and I nod then we go our separate ways.

When I am alone in the bathroom, I take a deep breath. This doesn’t feel real. Everything is happening so fast but also feels so slow and I feel like I am starting to lose it. This whole situation is messed up and it is all my fault. I can’t believe he would go along with everything to this degree. I can’t see how this will end well for either of us. Kurt is just too good of a guy and I am ruining his life.

I turn to let the shower water hit my face, trying to clear my head a little but I start to get nervous again as I finish washing up in the shower. I finish showering and wrap my hair in a towel and then grab a robe to put on. I step into the bedroom and see the light still on in the living room so I quickly go to the closet to change into my pajamas. When I come out of the closet, Kurt is entering the room. He looks tired and stressed and I want to help him out but I know that I am probably the main cause of his stress, although I know his job has been rough lately too.

“Bathroom is all yours,” I tell him and he nods but doesn't speak.

He disappears into the bathroom and I hesitantly climb into bed. I can tell which side is Kurt’s by the nightstands so I climb into the opposite side and pull the covers up to my chin. I can’t decide if I want to keep reading or pretend that I am already asleep to avoid any more awkward interactions. I’m tired, so I decide to turn off my light and turn over to have my back facing the wall of pillows.

Kurt comes back into the room a few minutes later and tries to be quiet as he goes about the room. He bangs into something and mumbles quietly. I turn over and see him hopping around a bit, his face pinched with pain. I giggle and he looks over at me, narrowing his eyes.

“Don’t laugh. I stubbed my toe,” Kurt explains and I gasp a little. “Yeah, ouch.”

“You can turn on a light,” I tell him but he just shrugs and drops onto the bed. He shuffles around in the bed a bit before getting comfortable.

“So, do you think we’re ready for this housewarming party?” Kurt asks when it is clear neither of us can fall asleep.

“I think so,” I say hesitantly. “We’ve discussed everything and just need to finalize the plans and make sure we can order from the deli for the sandwiches to arrive on time.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem,” Kurt says and we fall back into a comfortable yet tension-filled silence. We both have work tomorrow so we need to sleep but the nervous energy is keeping me awake.

“Are you asleep?” I ask after a few minutes.

“Yeah,” Kurt responds. When I don’t say anything else, he chuckles. “Was there a point to that?”

“No, just checking.”

“Goodnight, Juliana.” Kurt shifts in the bed and I can feel him turning as the bed moves.

“Goodnight, Kurt,” I say softly as I stare up at the ceiling, willing sleep to come.

Chapter 25

Juliana

Our party planning is quickly finalized and the party will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday in two weeks. I hope it wasn’t too late of notice but both Kurt and I agree that the sooner we have the party, the better. It still gives us enough time to settle into a working system for living together.

I offer to go door to door with Kurt to deliver each invitation to his neighbors but instead, Kurt said his doorman to hand out when he sees his neighbors or he will leave them in their mailboxes.

So, after sending out the invitations we just wait for the day to arrive. Over the next few days, we get a couple of notes left at the door accepting the invitations and we each are stopped by neighbors who accept the invitation in person. It is great for me because Kurt’s neighbors stop me to introduce themselves and accept. It helps me get to know some of them before the party.

One of his neighbors, a nice woman named Evelyn, invites me over for tea. When she hears of my love for dogs, she is even more excited and tells me to come over whenever I want to see them.

While we wait for the day to arrive, it is easier and easier to live together. Over the week, it grows natural. By the second week, we have found a routine and I quite like having him as my roommate. I miss Tatyana of course but living with Kurt is a little different. Well, quite different actually.

With my job, I tend to be home before Kurt and I’m getting in the habit of making dinner for us each night. If Kurt finds he’s getting off early, he calls me midday and to see if I want to eat out for dinner. I always take him up on the offer. I do enjoy cooking but it’s always nice going out to eat. We explore different restaurants each time we go out. Some places give me new ideas for dinners, especially when I notice meals that Kurt really liked.

One night we have leftovers after dinner so Kurt and I went down the hall to visit Evelyn and her dogs. Evelyn is so grateful. She shoos Kurt out of the apartment to take her dogs for a short walk because she wants to spend some time talking to me. She asks questions about Kurt and myself so I’m able to put our story to the test again. She seems thrilled by the story and I highly enjoy telling her. The story feels more and more real these days. I do feel like Kurt and I are getting a closer and stronger friendship. But I have to keep myself from feeling more than that.

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