Page 22 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

I’ve just finished telling her about June and Crimson. Her response is just to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

It’s not very absurd from where I’m sitting.

“No, I’m just imagining how she’s going to react once everyone wises up to her age. She’s going to be upset every time someone referred to her as Crimson’s ‘older’ girlfriend.” Grandma wipes her eyes, still chuckling.

“I suppose you think it’s stupid that I quit my job over this, too,” I say.

I can’t keep the bitterness out of my voice. The truth is, I’m doubting myself on that front. Is it really such a big deal?

Then I think of how I’d end up in close proximity to my mother for who knows how long. She had already started to worm her way into meetings Crimson and I had.

Nope. Better to leave before she could start making me lose my cool at work.

I fall sideways on the old, worn couch.

“Now I have no job, nobody’s answering my resumes, and I don’t know what to do next.” I gaze miserably at the open ceiling.

George is finishing up other rooms that need the insulation or new siding or whatever it is before he comes back to this one.

“Catherine, you’ve been running full speed ahead your entire life,” Grandma says. “You can stay here as long as you need. And don’t you worry about money, between my pension and savings, I’m more than comfortable.”

I give her a tentative smile under my arm. “But doesn’t it make me pathetic, moving in with my grandma when I’m in my thirties?”

Grandma scoffs. “Please! You’ve moved in to be closer to your fiancé and to help out your poor old granny. What’s pathetic about that?”

I’m distracted by the sparkly gem on my finger.

Engaged to George Callahan. I don’t have to wear the ring at home, but I’m trying to get used to it.

Part of me wants to phone up June and tell her I’m engaged. The bitter part of me wants to mockingly tell her we can have a double wedding.

I shake my head, throwing those thoughts out.

“Thank you, Grandma. I love you.”

“I love you, too, dear.” Grandma’s mirth fades as she gazes at me. “But you ought to know that June called me last night, asking for you.”

Tension sweeps through me. I bolt upright on the couch, my hands clenching into fists.

“I didn’t tell her anything. Didn’t even confirm you were here,” she says quickly.

“Thank you. I don’t want to talk to her.” I shake my head emphatically. “I don’t want to hear about whatever is going on in her life.”

The truth is, I can’t help but wonder if she thought about me at all when she decided to date Crimson.

On the other hand, I can’t imagine her considering how this would affect my job and my life.

On the other, the bitter part of me says she did it on purpose.

I’ve rarely talked to her since she left me on Grandma’s doorstep at five years old. Mostly because she rarely answers the phone.

I let out a shaky breath. Wasting energy being angry with my mother does nothing for my current situation.

“Well, now you know what’s happening and how jobless I am,” I say, trying to sound upbeat again. “Let’s see. What other gossip can I share with you?”

Grandma gives me a wicked grin. “Have you and George kissed yet?”

Heat floods my cheeks. “Grandma!”

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