Page 32 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

Baxter, oblivious to the sudden change in audience, gave one last howl before settling back down, content that his part in our little concert was over.

Her laughter filled the room, a joyful symphony that resonated with understanding. A loving sparkle shone in her eyes. "Seems like I missed quite the performance," she said teasingly. "I always knew you were a romantic at heart, Susan."

"I...uh..." My cheeks flushed red as I tried to form a coherent sentence. She just chuckled again and shook her head, setting her apron and gloves down before sitting on the stool in the kitchen. She gestured to the empty seat next to her, inviting me to join her.

I groaned and plopped down next to her with a sigh, burying my face in my hands. "You don't get to laugh. You have no idea what it is like to fall for someone who..." I trailed off, my words tangling into a giant knot of emotions.

"Who what?" Mom prompted gently, her laughter now replaced with a sympathetic gaze.

I sighed, the weight of my secret sitting heavy on my chest. "Someone who was supposed to be pretend."

“Pretend?" Mom echoed her face a picture of surprise. She glanced at my left hand, where the sparkling engagement ring rested.

I blinked at the floor momentarily before unveiling the secret I'd been keeping. "Nate and I... our engagement... it's not real.”

Mom let out a soft gasp, her eyes widening. She reached out and took my hand in hers, offering me comfort through the warmth of her touch.

"Sweetheart," she breathed, her voice as soft as the flutter of pages in a book. "Why would you two agree to something like that?"

Slowly, I began to unwind the tale—the blind date app that had brought us together, the electric connection shared with Nate on our first meeting, Tiffany's relentless pursuit, and the spontaneous proposal meant to be a mere charade. As I spoke, Mom listened, her expression shifting between shock and understanding, amusement creeping into her eyes.

I felt my cheeks flush as I recalled the unexpectedly romantic moments between us—the charged energy when we held hands and the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in the world.

"The scariest part?" I admitted my voice barely a whisper that lingered in the air of our cozy kitchen. "I think I'm... that I'm actually..."

"In love with him," Mom finished with an understanding look.

"I am," I admitted. "I know it's crazy, but when I'm with Nate, I feel like I'm truly myself. He's thoughtful, funny, and caring..." I shook my head in wonder. "I never expected to find this with him."

Mom squeezed my hand again, her expression softening into a smile. "The heart wants what it wants, dear. There's no sense fighting it."

I knew she was right, but the guilt still lingered. "Emily's my best friend, though. I don't want to hurt her, but I also can't ignore how I feel about Nate."

Mom nodded thoughtfully. "Love and friendship can be complicated. But I know you'll find a way through this with honesty and compassion."

“How about a glass of milk and some cookies?”

Mom stood up and walked over to the counter. She reached up for a couple of glasses, then opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk. She carefully poured the milk into each glass before returning it to the fridge.

Then she came back over, sat down on her stool, and reached to grab an oatmeal cookie off the tray on the counter. As she nibbled on the cookie, a dreamy look crossed her face. "Your situation reminds me of my love story with your father."

I perked up, intrigued. Mom rarely spoke of her youth.

"We met through a mutual friend, much like you and Nate," she continued. "But there was another girl who had her eye on him too. My best friend at the time, Claire."

Mom paused, lost in the memory. "I tried to ignore my feelings out of loyalty to Claire. But the heart wants what it wants." She repeated the phrase from earlier with a wistful smile.

"What happened?" I asked softly.

"Eventually, I realized I had to be honest with Claire about how I felt. Our friendship was tested, but she came around when she saw how happy your father made me."

Mom's fingers intertwined with mine, a silent reassurance passing between us. "It was risky, but I don't regret following my heart. Claire and I found our way back to each other, too."

I exhaled slowly, comforted by her story. "So, you think I should tell Emily the truth?"

"I think you should listen to your heart," she said. "But trust that your true friends will want your happiness, even when things get complicated."

My mother's words filled me with a renewed sense of hope and determination. Her unwavering guidance and wisdom have always been a source of comfort and strength for me. I was grateful to have her in my life. Despite the unknown challenges that lay ahead, I felt ready to embrace this unexpected journey with Nate and see where it might lead me.

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