Page 17 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

“Seals what?”

“I really am after your money!”

George bursts into laughter. He offers me his arm, and I hesitantly loop mine through his. We head back up to the beach.

My head is all awhirl. Here I thought that I was successful because I left Sandburrow.

I thought George was unsuccessful because he never did.

I was wrong.

So very, very wrong.

What else am I wrong about?

Chapter five

George

Since Mom and Dad want to keep hanging out at my place due to their broken AC unit, I give them my credit card and suggest they go up to the city to find a replacement.

It takes a good hour arguing with them before I convince them to do it.

Funny how they’ll invade my space but taking money is too much of an imposition.

Some things, I suppose, make sense to parents that don’t make sense to their kids.

I don’t expect that they’ll buy anything for themselves. I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll come home to a new bathmat, though.

A knock comes on the door, and I open it to greet Catherine.

She looks fantastic, as always.

Her hair is done up in this cute, curly ponytail. She wears a white eyelet tank top paired with a skirt that hits just above her knee. Her strappy sandals show off a butterfly tattoo on her ankle.

“Wow,” I say, grinning at her. “You’re right. We can’t live in Sandburrow. You’re too fancy.”

I mean it as a compliment, but her expression falls. She glances over her outfit.

“Do I look presumptuous?”

“No, no.” I open the door for her to come in. “I only mean that you look like you should be hitting a red carpet, rather than hanging out here.”

Catherine gives me a weak-looking smile. “Ah. Well, thanks.”

She’s uncomfortable still. I wince.

If I’d known she would be so insecure about her appearance… but then, when I think about it, I ought to have known.

Catherine always felt out of place in Sandburrow.

My remark, though coming from a place of heartfelt sincerity, only serves to highlight that.

I clear my throat. “So, you got to the city yesterday?”

Catherine nods and fishes a small box out of her oversized purse. “Yeah. I picked up the ring. Want to see it?”

“I should, since it’s the one I proposed to you with.”

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