Page 175 of The Fake Out Flex

"Well, she's keen to say hi, so make sure you catch her," I say to Clayton, which is followed by a gentle poke from the man standing beside me.

"You're officially more of a meddler than Levi," he whispers once they leave.

I repeat what I said to Clayton to Harper when she and Laney come over, but reverse it, saying Clayton is keen to see her. Watching her eyes almost pop out of her head made the harmless lie totally worth it.

Then Hannah comes over, nursing yet another drink, joined by Culver. They spent most of the summer together. If they weren't lifelong besties, I'd be starting to suspect that something was going on with them. But surely not. They're so deep in the friend zone, they're practically family at this point.

"Congrats, man."

"Thanks, man."

Hannah and I giggle at the display of bro-ness as she bundles me in a big, warm hug.

"I am so happy for you, Evie," she says, rubbing my back, then letting out a small hiccup.

"Thanks. I'm happy for me, too."

I want to check in and make sure she's okay since I've only ever seen her tipsy twice in my life, but more people are making their way over to congratulate us. At least she's with Culver, who wraps his arm around her as they head toward the dance floor.

After what feels like forever, we've finally spoken to everyone.

We move away from the side of the stage. The band is playing a mid-tempo number, so Fraser lifts my hand, presses a gentle kiss onto it, and asks, "May I have this dance?"

"Sure."

His eyebrows shoot up.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"I was counting on having to ask at least seven times. I even have notes on my phone outlining reasons why you should dance with me."

I swat his chest. "You do not…Do you?"

He grins. "Even though there are no truth fries to be found, I can't lie to you…Yes, I have notes. And yes, they're thorough."

I throw my head back and laugh. "Hey, if you want to risk public humiliation by dancing with me, who am I to stand in your way?"

"That's the spirit."

He leads me onto the dance floor, wraps his hands around my waist, and we start swaying to the music.

"What a year it's been," he says.

"Oh, yeah. Anything interesting happen?"

He chuckles. "Let's see. It started with a fake date…"

"And ended with a real proposal."

"It sure has. I meant what I said up on that stage, Evie. You make me want to be a better man."

"You already are the best man ever. I mean it. You're so much more open than you were a year ago. I mean, hello, a public proposal. Last year Fraser wouldn't have done that at all."

"You don't mind I did it so publicly?"

"Not at all. I love that all our friends and family were here to share the moment with us."

"That's what I wanted, too. And you don't mind that I did it a week before our one-year anniversary?"

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