Page 14 of Fake Engagement with my Brother's Best Friend

I nod, taking a sip of my coffee to avoid having to say much more. I’m not interested in whatever small talk she’s trying to make. All I want is to finish my breakfast in peace and maybe figure out how to deal with everything going on in my life without adding Samantha to the mix.

Samantha doesn’t seem to get the hint. She pulls out a chair and sits down across from me, placing her perfectly manicured hands on the table. “I couldn’t help but notice you and Logan seemed a bit… tense last night,” she says, her tone casual, but there’s an edge to it that makes my stomach turn. “Everything alright?”

I bite back a sharp reply, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing she’s hit a nerve. “We’re fine. Just tired from all the wedding preparations.”

Her smile widens, and I see the glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “Of course. Weddings can be so stressful, can’t they? Especially when there’s so much else going on.”

I set my coffee cup down a little harder than I intended, the sound louder in the quiet dining room. “It’s not that big of a deal. We’re managing.”

Samantha leans in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “You know, Grace, I can’t help but wonder… Are you sure you’re managing? I mean, it’s not easy, being engaged to someone like Logan. He has a history, after all.”

I stiffen, every muscle in my body tensing as she says it. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shrugs, her eyes glittering with a mix of pity and smugness. “Oh, nothing, really. Just that it’s clear you care about him; but… well, you know how Logan is. He’s hard to pin down. I just hope you’re not letting your emotions get the best of you.”

I glare at her, biting back the retort that’s burning on my tongue. I refuse to let her see how much she’s getting under my skin. She must sense it anyway, because her smile only grows.

“Don’t worry, Grace,” she says, standing up and smoothing out her dress. “I’m sure everything will work out… one way or another.”

She walks away, leaving me sitting there, my appetite completely gone. I stare down at my untouched breakfast, the knot in my stomach tightening. I can’t shake the feeling that Samantha knows exactly what she’s doing, and it infuriates me. She thinksI’m jealous—thinks she has some kind of hold over Logan, over me.

The worst part is, she’s right.

Chapter Eight

Logan

I spot Grace just as she’s stalking out of the dining area, her face set in a stormy expression that sends alarm bells ringing in my head. I’m too far away to catch up with her, and before I can call out her name, she’s already gone, disappearing through the doors with a determined stride. Something’s up, and I’ve got a sinking feeling I know exactly who’s behind it.

My suspicions are confirmed the moment I step into the breakfast area and see Samantha, perched at a table, looking far too pleased with herself. Her eyes flicker to me as I approach, and that familiar smug smile curls on her lips. I don’t even have to ask—I can tell she’s been talking to Grace, and whatever she said, it wasn’t good.

“Samantha,” I say, my voice clipped as I stop in front of her table. “What did you say to Grace?”

She takes a sip of her coffee, feigning innocence, but the glint in her eyes gives her away. “Good morning to you too, Logan. Such a pleasant way to start the day.”

I grit my teeth, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Cut the crap, Samantha. I saw her leaving, and I know you were talking to her. What did you say?”

She raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the way she’s getting under my skin. “I just had a little chat with her, that’s all. She seemed a bit… tense. I was only trying to help.”

“Help?” I repeat, incredulous. “You’re here to mess with me, with us, and we both know it. So don’t pretend you’re doing anyone any favors.”

She sets her cup down, leaning back in her chair with that same irritatingly confident expression. “Logan, you’re being paranoid. Can’t a girl have a friendly conversation without being accused of ulterior motives?”

I glare at her, my patience thinner by the second. “Not when that girl has a history of stirring up trouble. What’s your game, Samantha; why are you really here?”

She shrugs, still annoyingly calm. “I told you, I’m here as a friend of Emily’s and Joseph’s. I didn’t realize that was a crime.”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” I snap. “You and I both know you’re not here just to catch up with old friends. You’ve been trying to get in my head since you showed up, and I’m done with it. Whatever you’re planning, it’s not going to work.”

Her smile widens, and there’s a dangerous edge to it now. “You always were so suspicious, Logan. You’re right about one thing—I can tell something’s up with you and Grace. There’s a certain… tension, wouldn’t you say?”

My heart skips a beat, and I can feel the unease creeping in. Does she know? Has she figured out that the engagement is fake? The last thing we need is for her to start spreading rumors, to plant seeds of doubt in everyone’s minds.

I force myself to stay calm, to not let her see how much her words are getting to me. “There’s nothing up,” I say, trying to sound as convincing as possible. “Grace and I are fine.”

Samantha tilts her head, studying me with those sharp eyes of hers. “Are you sure about that? Because from where I’m sitting,it looks like things are a bit more… complicated. Then, you always did like to keep things interesting.”

I clench my fists, fighting the urge to say something I’ll regret. She’s fishing for something, trying to push me into a corner, and I can’t afford to let that happen. “Whatever you think you know, you’re wrong. Just stay out of it, Samantha.”

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