Page 21 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

“I’ll keep playing the role of fiancé for you. I’ll hold to the story that it’s private business and that we are choosing to keep the details to ourselves.” I put cream and sugar in hers and slide it to her.

Catherine’s eyes are wide as she stares at me. “But… you don’t even know…”

“I don’t. But I also don’t think you’re a liar.”

She chews her lip, utterly bewildered.

“What I do know is that Lynn is like a grandma to me. I’m well-liked in town. With any luck, my support will help shield you and Lynn from the worst of the gossip.” I nod, firm in my decision.

Her eyes fill with fresh tears. “You’d really do that? For Grandma?”

I sip my hot, black coffee. The bitterness fills my mouth.

“Yes. And I hope that you’ll confide in me,” I add. “But like I said. You’re not a liar.”

Catherine winces at my choice of words. She takes a deep breath. “But what will you get out of it?”

“Your lessons on how to raise my parents,” I crack.

“Ugh!” She rests her head in her hand and sips her coffee. “This is just going to make your mother hate me more than she already does.”

“She doesn’t hate you.”

Catherine gives me a sarcastic look. “You’re right. She absolutely loves me. That’s why she calls me ‘that Hart girl’ and is always surprised when she hears I’m not dead in an alley.”

I frown. “That’s not entirely fair, Catherine.”

“Not entirely. Which means you know she doesn’t like me.”

“That’s different than hating you.”

She heaves out a long sigh. “Regardless. I’m only going to make things more difficult with your parents now.”

“Maybe. But I’ve always found it easier to defend others than defend myself,” I say. I sip my coffee again.

This time it’s not quite as bitter.

A ghost of a smile passes over Catherine’s face. “Oh. I see. This is practice for you. If you can set boundaries on them saying things about me, maybe you can set boundaries when it comes to your coffee pot.”

I laugh. “Precisely!”

She studies me a moment longer. I can see the moment she decides to believe me. The tension eases from her hunched shoulders and her eyes lighten.

“Thank you,” she murmurs.

I nod back at her, still smiling.

But a part of me still wonders if she’s telling the truth.

Just how much has the city changed her?

Chapter six

Catherine

I frown at Grandma. She’s holding her sides from laughing so hard.

“It’s not funny,” I insist. “How did she even manage to worm her way to seeing him? Not to mention she’s dating a man the same age as her daughter.”

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