Page 14 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

I cut the engine, jumped out of the truck, and walked around to open Susan's door. She eyed me with surprise, and I simply offered her my hand with a teasing smile: "Well, a lady shouldn't have to open her own door, right? Especially not for her own engagement party.”

Mayor Fletcher came bustling out a huge smile on his face. "There they are!" he boomed. "Rivermint Cove's favorite couple!"

I wrapped an arm around Susan's waist, and she leaned into me, trembling ever so slightly.

This was it. No turning back now.

We were quickly swept inside to a crowd of chattering townsfolk. Everyone wanted a piece of the newly engaged couple.

"How did he propose?"

"Have you set a date?"

"Can I see the ring?"

I fumbled through our rehearsed stories, my arm tight around Susan's waist. She clung to me like a life preserver, nodding and smiling timidly at each prying question.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Baxter plodding through the crowd. Susan had told me that it was Frances’s week to watch him. Susan’s face lit up at the sight of the basset hound. She knelt down, letting Baxter slobber happy kisses on her cheek.

"There's my favorite library dog," she murmured, tension easing from her shoulders as she ruffled his ears. Baxter leaned into her touch, tail wagging lazily.

Susan seemed to draw strength from the simple joy of Baxter's company. Some color returned to her cheeks. Her eyes met mine, a flicker of determination now mingling with the anxiety there.

I helped Susan to her feet. Baxter trailed after us as we made our way through the well-wishers. Then, I noticed a familiar figure watching from the edge of the room.

Tiffany. Her sharp eyes tracked our every move. She wore a tight smile as she glided over.

"Nate. Susan." Her eyes darted back and forth between the two of us. “Congratulations on whatever this is.”

Her words were laced with bitterness. I felt Susan's fingers dig into my arm.

"Thank you, Tiffany," I said briskly. "We appreciate you coming."

"Of course." Tiffany's gaze raked over us. "I simply had to see it with my own eyes."

Her smile turned icy. The threat in her voice was clear.

Susan's grip on my arm tightened as Tiffany sauntered away. I let out a shaky breath, trying to ignore the cold pit of dread forming in my stomach.

"She knows something's up," Susan whispered.

I nodded, my jaw clenched. We'd have to be extra careful around Tiffany from now on. One misstep and she could bring our whole charade crumbling down, and I couldn’t let Susan be humiliated.

Just then, I caught a snippet of conversation from across the room. Two women were huddled together, casting glances our way. I recognized Rosie, the owner of Rosewood Cafe, and her chatty barista, Lila.

"It seems rather sudden, doesn't it?" Lila was saying in a loud whisper. "They've barely been dating a few months."

"Mmhmm," Rosie agreed. "And we all know how Nate feels about commitment. This whole thing is rather suspect if you ask me."

I tensed. Their speculative whispers echoed through the room. A few other guests glanced our way curiously.

Susan paled, lower lip quivering. I squeezed her hand, trying to offer reassurance. But inside, my anxiety churned.

How were we going to maintain this act with the whole town questioning us? The cracks were already starting to show, and it had barely been a day.

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

"There's my favorite couple!"

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