Page 74 of Pretend for Me

Things would have turned out the same, if not worse, due to the constant interference we faced.

I was looking out the plane window, headed to Japan. But I couldn’t help but think of a future that was even more miles away.

“Cassie, open the locket,” I’d say playfully, caressing her cheek.

She’d laugh and say, “Oh finally, I can open this magical locket.” She’d twirl the chain around her finger.

I’d nod, and as she looked down to open the necklace, I would take that opportunity to kneel down before her.

Cassie’s eyes would widen as she read the engraving, gasping. She’d cover her mouth to stifle her surprise. Then she’d look down to see my kneeling position.

“Make us real,” I’d murmur, taking her left hand in my own. “We will pick out a ring tomorrow. I have an appointment with the jeweler.”

I would rub her ring finger gently. My eyes would meet hers as I shook, nervous about her answer.

Sure, it was early in our life, but nobody knew me better or vice versa.

Cassie would close her eyes, likely imagining the looks of disapproval from the people in my life.

But when she opened her eyes, she’d see devotion in my eyes. The same eyes that she saw when she first tackled me at four years old. The same eyes that she loved like I loved her.

This was our real beginning. Everything else was noise.

She’d nod as I stood, taking her in my arms. We’d kiss, passionately basking in happiness.

Happiness that was long overdue.

I stood there,still as a statue, trying my best not to let my impatience show. It seemed as though time was at a standstill. Not moving, just making me wait.

My heart practically stopped as I saw her turn the corner.

There she was—my dream girl, dressed in white, walking toward me. Toward our future together.

She was stunning.

Cassie never needed fancy things to look incredible. Her heart was beautiful enough in spite of how beaten down it was at times.

She took another step. Followed by a painfully slow matching one. One after the other.

Until we met once again.

“I do.” So simple. So pure. So true.

We both did. It was all we ever truly wanted. Once we both stopped the pretenses. The pretending.

39

CASSIE

“Audrey, I can’t be in here,” I sputtered. “I’m going to go outside and get some fresh air.” I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold it together.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Audrey eyed me, concerned.

I shook my head. “No, will you stay here and see if there’s any news, and if so come get me?” I asked weakly.

She pursed her lips and nodded, giving my arm a squeeze as I made my way toward the double doors.

As I made my way through the revolving doors, I saw Holden, Bridget, and Charlie huddled together by the circular fountain. Bridget had an arm wrapped around Charlie, who was sitting in a fetal position on the bench. Holden stood in front of his fiancée and the young girl.

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