Page 47 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

I open my mouth to argue—how can it not matter?

She holds up a hand and shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter. Not really. Because regardless of June, Grandma was always there for me. And everything that happened shaped me into who I am.”

I take her hand in mine. “I hope you know that who you are is beautiful.”

Catherine turns her hand so our fingers twine. She doesn’t answer but the light in her eyes is enough.

It occurs to me suddenly that if anyone were to see us here, now, they would have no doubts that Catherine and I are engaged.

Even though we aren’t, not really.

And I’m not sure how I feel about that.

***

The living room is now fully drywalled. The molding is back in place. I step back and admire my work.

Lynn’s place is nearly done. On the ground floor, there’s still the bathroom and pantry I have to finish, but the main living spaces are finished.

There’s still work to be done in the crawlspace, too, but that’s not as important.

Yes, this place is really coming together.

Which means I’ll soon start the work in my own place.

The sale of the house that neighbors Lynn’s property has gone through.

The front door opens and closes. Catherine puts her shoes away and slips on a pair of heavy-duty slippers. Then she joins me.

She looks around the space, nodding. “Looks good, Callahan. We’ll be able to start moving Grandma’s things back in here soon.”

I smile warmly at her. “That’s the plan.”

She’s wearing a spaghetti-strap dress with a flowy shirt that laces up the front. With her hair in milkmaid braids and a delicate chain around her neck, she looks especially beautiful.

If I don’t stop staring, she’s going to catch me, so I look away.

Though it would be natural as anything to compliment her, I can’t.

Not because of her, but because of me.

Ever since we filmed my proposal… things have grown complex.

In that, I have far too many genuine feelings.

I wish I could say that it’s just a protective streak, wanting to help Catherine know her worth. You know, after I learned just what a flake her mom is.

But that’s not it at all.

Catherine knows her worth. She’s strong, resilient, and quite honestly the strongest woman I know, second only to Lynn.

She doesn’t need me.

These feelings aren’t mere savior complex.

I want to dream about a life with her. I want to get to know her better as an adult than I ever knew her as a kid.

“Where are Grandma and Katherina?” Catherine asks.

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