Page 112 of Fake

I nod, my eyes on his. And then he stands, takes my hands to pull me into his arms and presses his lips to mine, while my mother claps and cheers.

EPILOGUE

Mina

“Your family get togethers are super casual,” I say to Nathan from the depths of our closet. “Why are we dressing up tonight?”

I poke my head through the doorway and catch my boyfriend grinning to himself as he lifts his shirt collar and drapes a red tie around his neck. When we first met, I wondered how The Prince of Darkness grew up in a family that feels like sunshine. In the last year, he’s become the light of my life. The two of us moved into his villain’s lair on the cove as soon as it was finished and have done our best to fill it with the best feelings, the best memories, the best energy ever since. It’s a massive improvement from my apartment at Lime Tree Bay, with its outdated tile and chipped grout. Sometimes I still can’t believe I live here. Nathan gave his old house to Mom, who protested, then cried, and now drinks a glass of wine on the patio every night, texting me pictures of the sunset like a proud momma.

“It’s my birthday. If I want to dress up, we dress up.” Nathan’s gaze wanders my body, and he smirks appreciatively. “You should wear your black dress. The one with the neckline I like.”

“You mean the one that shows all the cleavage?” I ask with an arch to my brow.

“I’ve never felt more understood.” Nathan drops a wink my way, his deft fingers working his tie into place. “What can I say, HM? You get me and I like it.” He takes my hands and pulls me into his arms, his palms trailing down my back to cup my ass.

I lean into him, smiling against his chest as I remember last year’s birthday party. “I can’t believe there was a time I was offended by that move.”

“Hey, now.” Nathan pulls back, jaw dropped. “Don’t you dare rewrite history. You were the one who grabbed my butt. Not the other way around.”

I snake my hands down to squeeze both delicious butt cheeks. “Can you blame me?”

He nuzzles my neck, going straight for that place below my jaw that sends shivers of delight down my spine. “On second thought,” he says, sliding his hands under my shirt, “I don’t think you should be wearing anything at all,”

“I’m not sure your family would appreciate that.”

“Like I said, it’s my birthday. I get what I want.”

We arrive at Nathan’s parents’ a little late and a touch disheveled. He wraps an arm around my waist and guides me up the walk and I can’t help but smile to myself. A year ago, I was shocked by the simple elegance of the home, then utterly embarrassed to be the only one who dressed up for the evening. I couldn’t stand the thought of touching the man beside me and now, I can’t stand the thought of not touching him.

A lot can change in a year.

Nathan pulls the door open for me and we step through the foyer to find his family waiting. Everyone’s in red. Dresses, ties, shoes, earrings, bracelets, jewelry. They’re dressed to kill, with me in my simple black dress. Even Mom is wearing red, standing with Collin and Harlow West, her new best friends, and her boyfriend, John McFadden, Mr. Silverfox from the hallway at Shady Cove.

“I thought we’d mix it up this year,” Nathan whispers. “Especially after I was such a dick last year.”

Before I can reply, we’re surrounded by his family. Everyone’s talking at once, wishing Nathan happy birthday and passing out hugs like candy.

Nathan’s cousin Nick thumps him on the back, with his latest girlfriend Amanda waiting to give a hug of her own. She’s sweet and funny, but Nick’s track record suggests it’s best not to get attached.

Nicholas Hutton is not the man he was.

Dark circles stand out under his eyes and his smile seems forced. While his body is mostly healed, his spirit seems muted. He’s never complained. He’s never said much of anything really, other than to insist he’s fine and tell us to stop worrying. After his medical discharge, Nick’s been untethered and unsure. Nathan’s sure he’ll find his way again, but I can’t help but think of my dad.

“Another year older,” Nick says with a wry twist of his lips.

“And wiser.” Nathan waggles his eyebrows.

“Let’s not put the cart before the horse on that one.” Nick gives a weak smile then disappears with Amanda in search of a drink.

“I wish you’d gotten to know him better before the accident,” Nathan says to me once he’s out of earshot.

Garrett crosses his arms over his chest. “I keep hoping Amanda will help get him back on track.”

“And Tillie before her, and Aisya before her.” Micah sighs, hands in pockets, shoulders slumped.

Angela stares after Nick, shaking her head with a long, sad smile. “I was shocked when he started dating anyone who wasn’t your sister.” She glances at her husband, obviously distraught.

“I don’t know why everyone thought they’d end up together.” Garrett huffs an exasperated laugh. “Charlie lives across the country.”

---