Page 31 of Fake Engagement with my Brother's Best Friend

Joseph stops for a moment, looking thoughtful. He leans against a nearby tree, wiping some sweat from his brow. “Well, it depends. You could go all out—fancy dinner and something personal. Or you could keep it simple. Something she wouldn’t expect but would love.”

I nod, listening, my mind running through the possibilities. I want it to be perfect, something that really shows her how I feel. But there’s a pit in my stomach that keeps reminding me that I haven’t told her the most important part yet.

Joseph pushes off the tree and starts walking again, but his voice is more serious now. “Look, Logan, I’ve got to ask… Is all this legit? I mean, you and Grace—it seemed to come out of nowhere.”

I glance over at him, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I’m serious about her.” I say it easily, but there’s a flicker of something—guilt, maybe—that I try to brush off. “It started off fast, I’ll give you that. It’s real. I care about her.”

Joseph doesn’t say anything for a moment, just keeps walking, but I can tell he’s not entirely convinced. “You sure?” he finally asks. “Because Grace is my only sister. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

I swallow, the weight of his words sinking in. “I’m sure,” I say, though my voice is quieter now. “I love her.”

The admission is like a weight off my chest, but also one that settles in a little deeper. Saying it out loud makes it more real, more terrifying.

“You haven’t told her yet, have you?” Joseph says, glancing at me again.

“Of course I have,” I lie. “We’re engaged.”

He hums. “I know you, reserved to a fault. It’s okay if you haven’t said the words; I’m sure she knows.” Joseph smiles, clapping me on the back. “You’ll know when the time’s right, Logan. Just don’t wait too long. Trust me.”

I nod, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten. I love Grace, but telling her feels like the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep waiting to say it.

***

I spend the entire afternoon planning, my mind racing with how I’m going to tell Grace I love her. It’s been gnawing at me for days, the words sitting on the tip of my tongue, but every time I get close to saying them, something pulls me back. Not tonight, though. Tonight, it’s happening. I want it to be perfect, something heartfelt and sweet—something she’ll never forget.

I decide to set everything up on the private part of the beach where we first had that picnic. It’s a quiet, secluded spot, tucked away from the rest of the resort. I get everything ready—a blanket spread out on the sand, candles in lanterns flickering softly as the sun sets in the background. I pack a small basket with her favorite wine, strawberries, and a few chocolate truffles I know she loves. It’s simple but intimate, just the two of us with the ocean as the backdrop.

I even take a moment to double-check my appearance in the mirror before heading out. My shirt is crisp, my hair tousled just enough to look casual but not careless. I want to show her how much I’ve thought about this, how much she means to me. A part of me is nervous, though—a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach that something could go wrong.

I push it aside. This is Grace. She’ll love it.

Once everything is ready, I pull out my phone and dial her number, knowing she doesn’t have any plans tonight. There’s no wedding event, no bridal duties—just us. I’m excited, imagining her smile when she sees the setup, the look in her eyes when I finally tell her how I feel.

The phone rings once, twice, and then she picks up. “Hey,” she says, her voice a little flat, like she’s distracted.

“Hey, you free tonight? I have something planned for us. It’s a surprise,” I say, my voice laced with excitement. I can’t help it—I’m already picturing her reaction.

There’s a pause on the other end, and I frown slightly, waiting for her to respond.

“Um… yeah, I’m free,” she finally says, but there’s something off. She sounds distant, almost reluctant, and not the way I imagined she’d respond. I thought she’d be excited, maybe even curious. Instead, she sounds like she’s miles away.

“Great,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, hoping to shake off the unease that’s creeping in. “I’ll see you at the beach around seven, okay? It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

“Okay,” she says, her tone still flat.

I hang up, staring at the phone for a moment, the excitement I’d felt a minute ago dimming. Something’s not right. Grace doesn’t sound like herself. I brush the thought aside, hoping it’s just been a long day for her. Once she sees what I’ve set up, it’ll all change. She’ll see how much I’ve been thinking about her, about us.

***

When she arrives later that evening, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the candles, I stand up, smiling as I go to meet her. She looks beautiful, as always, but there’s a tension in her posture that I can’t ignore. Her arms are wrapped around herself, and her expression is… off. Distant.

“Hey,” I say softly, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She barely responds, her eyes flicking over the setup without much interest.I try to shake off the disappointment building in my chest. “I thought we could just relax, have some wine… talk.”

Grace forces a small smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah, that sounds nice,” she says, her voice quiet.

I guide her to the blanket, pouring her a glass of wine, hoping it’ll help her unwind. I want this to be special, to show her how much I care, but she’s still distant, her gaze wandering to the ocean instead of meeting mine.

“So,” I start, sitting down next to her. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately. About everything that’s happened.”

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