Page 38 of Fake Engagement with my Brother's Best Friend

I look down at my hands, twisting my fingers together as I process everything. “I’ve been scared too,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “I was so afraid of losing him, of losing this… whatever it is between us, that I jumped into this fake engagement without thinking about the consequences.”

Emily places a hand on my arm, her touch warm and comforting. “You’re not alone in that, Grace. Relationships are messy, andlove is even messier. It’s clear that Logan cares about you. He’s making an effort. He’s just as scared as you are, but maybe that’s a good thing.”

I give her a small, unsure smile. “Maybe.”

We sit in silence for a moment, watching the waves. The weight of my confession hangs between us, but for the first time in days, I don’t feel completely alone in it. Emily understands. She always has.

Finally, I speak again, my voice softer now. “I just… I don’t know what to do, Em. How do I move forward? How do I trust that this can work?”

Emily looks at me thoughtfully, her eyes kind but filled with understanding. “I think you start by taking a breath. Right now, everything feels heavy, but it won’t always. You don’t have to make a decision this second, Grace.”

I nod, my heart still racing, unsure how to move past the weight of it all. I close my eyes, frustration bubbling up. I can’t handle this uncertainty. I need answers, and he’s nowhere to be found.

Emily places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Give it time. He’ll call back.”

I hope she’s right.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Logan

I can’t shake the feeling of urgency gnawing at me. Every hour that passes without talking to Grace feels like a lifetime. I’ve messed things up—badly—and if I don’t do something soon, I’m afraid I might lose her for good.

That thought terrifies me more than anything.

So I decide to pull out all the stops. I need to show Grace how much she means to me, that I’m ready to fight for her, for us. This isn’t just some temporary thing, not anymore. She deserves a real apology, one that shows I’m serious about making things right.

I head to the beach restaurant, a cozy little spot right on the water, tucked away from the rest of the resort. It’s the perfect place for us to talk—secluded, private. I want to make sure we can have a real conversation, without distractions, without interruptions. So I book out the entire place for the evening. Just for the two of us.

The staff looks at me a little strangely when I make the request, but they don’t question it. They nod and start setting things up as I explain what I want—a quiet, intimate dinner with candles, soft music, and plenty of space for us to talk. I’m not going for anything too extravagant, just something that shows I’ve put in the effort, that I’m not taking this lightly.

As I stand there discussing the details with the head waiter, my mind races with what I’ll say to her. How do I even begin? How do I explain the mess I’ve made, the mistakes I’ve carried, without sounding like I’m making excuses?

The truth is, I’ve been afraid. I’ve been hiding behind this fake engagement because it was easier than facing my feelings for Grace. But now, I can’t hide anymore. I’ve been falling for her since before this whole charade even started. I just didn’t have the guts to admit it, not to myself, and certainly not to her.

Now, I might be too late.

I glance out at the ocean, the sun starting to set, casting the water in shades of gold and pink. It’s beautiful, but it only adds to the knot in my stomach. What if she doesn’t show? What if I’ve already pushed her too far?

I shake the thought away, trying to stay positive. She’ll come. She has to. Grace isn’t someone who just walks away from things without a second thought. I know she’s hurting, but I also know there’s still something between us worth saving.

I can’t lose her.

The head waiter gives me a nod, letting me know everything is ready, and I thank him, hoping this gesture is enough to show Grace how much I care. I take one last look at the setup, candles flickering on the tables, the sound of the waves gently crashing in the background, and I feel a sliver of hope.

I’m standing by the railing, watching the waves crash onto the shore, trying to keep my nerves in check, when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see Joseph walking up, his hands in his pockets, a casual but concerned look on his face.

“Hey,” he says, nodding toward the restaurant setup. “Looks like you’re going all out tonight.”

I offer a small smile, though it feels tight. “Yeah, I have to, don’t I? I’ve messed things up pretty bad with Grace.”

Joseph leans against the railing next to me, looking out at the ocean for a moment before speaking. “I hope you two work things out, man. You’re good for each other.”

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and I glance at him, surprised. Joseph has always been supportive, but hearing him say it like that—it gives me a bit of hope. Before I can respond, he continues.

“We kicked Samantha out,” he says, his tone shifting to something more serious. “She’s packed her things, and she’s waiting for a taxi to take her to the airport.”

I blink, absorbing the news. “She’s really gone?”

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