Page 15 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

Emily emerged from the crowd, face alight with enthusiasm. She threw her arms around both of us.

"I'm so thrilled for you two!" she exclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "We're going to be sisters for real now, Susan!"

I relaxed slightly, grateful for Emily's flawless performance. Maybe we could pull this off after all.

Emily's support provided a brief respite, but my underlying worry still lingered.

Just then, Mayor Fletcher stepped up to the microphone at the front of the room. He tapped it twice, sending a burst of feedback through the speakers.

The chatter died down as all eyes turned to him.

"Good evening, folks!" he bellowed jovially. "As you all know, we're here today to celebrate a very special occasion."

He gestured to Susan and me, beckoning us forward. We shuffled to the front of the room, my palms slick with sweat.

"The engagement of our own Dr. Nathaniel Reynolds and the lovely Susan Marie Phillips!" The room erupted into applause. I forced a smile, trying to ignore the guilt welling up inside me.

The mayor launched into a lengthy speech, waxing poetic about our "magical love story" and how it embodied the spirit of Rivermint Cove. With each embellished detail, my heart sank further.

We were deceiving these kind people - my neighbors, my patients. And they were showering us with unconditional support and joy.

After an endless stream of platitudes, the mayor finally wrapped up his speech. "To Nathaniel and Susan!" he proclaimed, raising a glass. Murmurs of "congratulations" and "cheers" rippled through the crowd.

I murmured a weak thank you, unable to meet anyone's eye. Mercifully, the attention shifted away as the music started up again.

Susan let out a shaky breath beside me. "That was..."

"Yeah," I muttered.

I scrubbed my hand over my face, emotions churning. The room suddenly felt stifling.

"I'm sorry, Susan, but I need some air," I said. Without waiting for a reply, I slipped out the back door.

I stepped outside into the cool night air, taking a deep breath to try and clear my head. The guilt was eating away at me. I walked around the building close to the park and leaned against the brick wall of the community center, staring up at the stars.

I didn’t really think things through when I blurted out the fake engagement. Now, the whole town was invested in our relationship, and I couldn’t help but feel bad.

I heard the door creak open. And Susan walked around the corner, her blue eyes full of concern. "Are you okay?"

I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know. This whole situation..."

She nodded, coming to stand beside me. "It's a lot. We could just tell everyone it was a prank. Laugh it off."

“And let Tiffany have a hay day. No, I just felt a little guilty, but it’s been nice having Tiffany off my back, and you're not such a bad fake fiancée.”

The faint sound of music drifted outside. I turned to Susan, holding out my hand. "Dance with me?"

She looked surprised but took my hand. I drew her close as we swayed slowly to the muffled melody.

At first, we were both stiff, hyperaware of the lack of space between us. But gradually, we relaxed, our bodies finding an easy rhythm.

Susan rested her head on my chest, and I caught a hint of her floral shampoo. Unthinking, I wrapped my arms around her slender frame. She fit against me like two puzzle pieces.

For the first time that night, my worries faded away. All I could focus on was the woman in my arms. The woman I was starting to see in a very different light.

Just then, Susan glanced up at me, eyes shining. And she smiled. Not the tense, fake smile from earlier, but a real, radiant one that made her nose crinkle.

We heard the door bang open suddenly, shattering the moment. Tiffany stormed out, clutching her phone in her hand. We were hidden around the building, but she spoke loud enough for us to hear.

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