Page 54 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

I need to buy her flowers.

And bring them to the museum.

Only I already did that. I need something that’s my idea and my idea alone.

“I got a call from Crimson earlier, too,” Catherine continues, blissfully unaware of the rabid thoughts racing through my head. “He and June have decided to officially announce their relationship. He asked me to come back to work for him.”

“What did you say?”

“No, of course.” Catherine turns back to me. “I told him that I hope that he’s happy and that June has changed, but that I can’t trust her back in my life.”

I stand and join her. “How did he take it?”

“He said that I ought to give her another chance.” Catherine’s arms tightened. “It’s the same thing I’ve heard from people all my life. I told him that unfortunately, this is part of a pattern I’m too used to. Maybe she has changed this time, but it’s too late.”

A protective swell surges through me. Even though I have problems with my parents, I can’t imagine ever cutting them out of my life.

Catherine doesn’t just have problems with her mother. And I have a feeling that if June really had changed, she wouldn’t have inserted herself into Catherine’s life again without asking, anyway.

I can’t truly judge their situation. I have to remind myself of that.

“Are you okay?” I ask her gently.

Catherine gives me a soft smile. “Better than I thought I would be. It’s good to have job opportunities. And I suppose it will be a relief for the truth to finally be out there.”

I nod, understanding. “Should I warn my parents ahead of time, so they don’t bring it up to you?”

“If you want. I think it’s more important that we start setting up our breakup,” she says. “It’ll be best if we blame my job. Say that I got an unexpected opportunity or something.”

Right.

That will be happening soon.

I let out a slow breath. “We should keep the false engagement around for a while after you’re back in the city. I don’t want my parents thinking that’s the only reason for our breakup.”

“Alright, that makes sense.” A furrow forms between her eyebrows. “I’m just worried about Katherina.”

“What for?”

Catherine tucks her hair behind her ears as she thinks. “I guess I’m worried that she’ll think that I’m leaving when she arrives just because I don’t like her.”

“Why would she think that?” I ask, surprised.

“Because she just got here and I’m immediately looking for somewhere else to live.” Catherine sighs heavily. “The thing is, I didn’t want her to be around. It’s not her fault, she’s an innocent kid. But I can’t help but wonder why our mother wanted to keep her and not me.

“Then I think, June dumping me on Grandma was the best thing she could have done for me. So I feel guilty for being resentful of a literal child who has no control in the situation.” She shakes herself. “Mostly I worry that I’m going to end up treating her the same way June treated me.”

I put my hands on Catherine’s shoulders, turning her to me. “You do realize that your situations aren’t comparable, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re Katherina’s half-sister. That’s a very different position than mother. I’ve seen the way you interact with her. You’re being too hard on yourself.”

Her hair has come loose again. I tuck it behind her ear and let my fingers linger on her cheek. It’s so soft and warm. My fingers trail over her cheekbone and I lower my hand to brush over her lips.

Her mouth opens slightly.

“You’re a wonderful person, Catherine. You’re dedicated and focused. You care about people deeply. I wish you could see yourself the way everyone else sees you,” I murmur, moving a little closer.

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