Page 21 of The Fake Out Flex

Ha. I thought I knew.

He's going to propose.

How could I have been that naive?

I was so giddy with excitement, I didn't even notice he was holding a colorful bouquet of chrysanthemums.

The one and only flower I'm allergic to.

Mark introduces Bryce who gives me the flowers before answering a few softball questions. I stifle a sneeze and hold the flowers away from me. If I wasn't trembling with nerves about my upcoming proposal, I would have paid more attention to not letting the flowers make contact with my skin.

But I was nervous. A jittery tension thrummed through me, and I was focused on trying not to show it.

Or sneeze.

Because I was on live TV.

The segment continues on my laptop.

Bryce turns to me. That gives me a chance to drop the flowers and place my hands in his.

"Evie, our one-year anniversary is next month…"

Actually, it's next week but this is a big moment. An easy mistake to make in the circumstances. He's probably nervous, too. His first time on live TV, and all that.

He starts talking about all the wonderful times we've had together.

Okay, this is it. He'll be dropping to his knee any minute now.

"I've been giving this a lot of thought…"

Yep, any second now…

"You're an incredible person, Evie. One of the best people I've ever met…"

Okay. Late knee-to-floor launch. That's okay. No need to panic. He's probably overwhelmed by the whole situation—the studio lights are ridiculously bright for anyone not used to them—and has forgotten to do the knee drop. That's okay. A standing proposal it is, then.

He lets go of my hands.

He's getting the ring. HE'S GETTING THE RING!

"…but this isn't working."

Gasps fill the air.

I turn in shock to Mark, who is doing a double take. My hands fly to cover my mouth, and I inhale sharply.

"I think we should break up."

Think that was the moment of peak humiliation?

Nuh-uh.

Stay tuned, because it's coming up…right now.

As I breathe into my hands, my mind spinning in disbelief, the flower residue I have on my fingers filters into my nose.

I sneeze.

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