Page 12 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

I knew she was right to be concerned. But I couldn't deny the way my heart raced at the thought of pretending to be with Nate. I'd just have to stay grounded and focused.

"I will," I promised.

I tucked my phone back into my pocket and tried to finish up my day without too much questioning. We had a late-night checking inventory, and I was grateful when my shift was up and I headed home.

Once inside, I found my mother in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared her bedtime tea. The scent of lavender and chamomile filled the air.

"Hi, Mom," I greeted her, trying to mask my inner turmoil with a casual tone.

"Hello, dear," she said, pausing to give me a piercing look. "I heard from Grace Harper today that you and Nate are engaged. Is that true?"

Guilt twisted in my chest. I didn’t know how long I could lie to my mother. "Yes, it's true. We’ve been dating for a few months. We knew as soon as everyone found out we wouldn’t have any privacy, so we kept it a secret."

"Ah, I see. But I am surprised that you kept it from your own mother," she said, returning her attention to her cup of tea. "But I'm happy for you both. Nate is such a wonderful young man."

"Thanks, Mom," I murmured, feeling a warmth spread through me at her words. It was strange how something that started as a lie could feel so right.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" she asked, pausing her preparations once more to give me a searching look.

"Everything's fine," I assured her, forcing a smile. "I'm just… processing it all, I guess."

"Take your time, sweetheart," Mom said softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "Love can be a complicated thing."

"Tell me about it," I muttered under my breath, excusing myself from the kitchen and heading to my room.

The soft glow of my bedside lamp cast a warm, comforting light across my bedroom walls as I sat cross-legged on the bed, a well-worn copy of Pride and Prejudice forgotten in my lap. The familiar words of Austen's world blurred together, my thoughts consumed by the day's conversations and revelations.

"Is it possible to fall for someone while pretending to be in love with them?" I whispered into the silence, recalling Grace's twinkling eyes and smile, her words about unexpected and genuine love stories echoing in my mind.

I continued thinking of Nate's laughter by the river and the playful water fight that felt natural and free. "Maybe"

I shook my head, frustrated with my own indecision.

"Get it together, Susan," I chided myself, setting the book aside and tracing the intricate pattern on my quilt. "You're both adults, and you agreed to this ridiculous charade. Just play your part until it's over and hope you don't lose your best friend in the process."

And with that, I surrendered to the night and the dreams that awaited me, my heart daring to hope for a future where pretense gave way to something real, something undeniable, and something as beautiful as the river's gentle flow beneath the moon's watchful gaze.

Chapter six

Nate

Iwas jarred from my sleep by the sound of my phone ringing. I jumped up in surprise to grab my phone, and my hand knocked my cup of cold water over, spilling its contents all over the nightstand by my bed.

"Dr. Reynolds!" boomed Mayor Fletcher's unmistakable voice. "Hope I didn't wake you, son. Got some big news!"

I winced, pressing the phone tighter to my ear. It was barely eight a.m. on my day off, but Tom Fletcher had all the restraint of a golden retriever on steroids.

I cleared my throat, trying to get rid of the morning raspiness, while I grabbed a towel out of the bathroom. "Good news, I hope?"

"The best! Word has been spreading about your engagement. And you know how we do things here in Rivermint Cove. We're throwing you lovebirds an impromptu party down at the community center tonight at six. The whole town will be there to congratulate you!"

I felt a shiver of sheer panic. Of course, they were. That was what made this town so endearing and frustrating at the same time. Everybody always wanted to be in everybody else’s business.

I took a deep breath, conjuring every ounce of false enthusiasm I could muster. "Wow, Tom, that's mighty thoughtful of you. Susan will be tickled pink."

We exchanged a few more niceties before I ended the call with a promise to see him tonight. As soon as the line went dead, I groaned and let my head fall into my hands. This charade was getting out of hand faster than I anticipated.

I texted Susan and told her about the engagement party to see if she had any plans. I agreed to pick her up at five thirty.

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