Page 41 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

“Well… we are engaged.” She lifts her hand, letting the diamond catch the light. “And I had the thought this morning we should film the proposal so that we can share it with people.Trying to tell Katherina last night, there are so many blanks I don’t know how to fill.”

“Right.” I nod, determined. “Leave it to me.”

Catherine searches my eyes. “Are you sure about this? I mean… it’s a lot of last-minute notice.”

I only grin at her in return. “Cat, you’re worth the effort.”

Something changes in her eyes. For a moment, I think she’s going to kiss me. I’m more than happy to let her.

But as we shift closer together, a sudden bang from a back room interrupts us.

“Ow,” comes a surprised exclamation.

Catherine and I hurry back. We find Ginny sitting on the floor, the ladder collapsed near her.

“What happened?” Catherine asks.

Ginny looks up sheepishly. “I was trying to get into the vents.”

I glance up. Sure enough, one of the air vents is wide open. “What for?”

“Um…” Ginny shakes her head. “To check how dirty it is.”

She was going to try to eavesdrop on us. I burst out into laughter.

Catherine gives me a dirty look as she helps Ginny to her feet. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“There’s no need… those are very beautiful flowers,” Ginny sighs as they limp away.

I shake my head as I quickly tidy up the mess.

It seems I have a dinner to plan. Not just a dinner, though…

I have to plan how I proposed to Catherine.

No pressure, eh?

Chapter twelve

Catherine

Even though I know it’s not real, my stomach still has that excited, fluttering feeling as I pull up to George’s house.

The glow inside is warm and welcoming. The world has fallen to a soft, dim gold color around me. The windows of his house are open, letting in the cool air.

I bite my lip as I get out of my car.

This isn’t exactly what I planned for tonight.

Not that I had plans at all. Mostly just finding excuses to hole up in my room, rather than interact with my replacement.

I shake my head sharply, fighting against that bitter thought.

My mother might have decided to have Katherina because I was nothing but a disappointment. That doesn’t mean Grandma is going to feel the same way.

If anything, I should pity Katherina, not be jealous of her, because Mom chose to keep her instead of me.

I step into the house. My shoulders relax as the faint scent of juniper berries reaches my nose.

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