Page 24 of An Engagement Pact

“Because I like my inhibitions. They keep me from making a fool of myself.”

That makes Dan chuckle, as I intended. And drop the subject.

Which I also intended.

On our way there, I say, “So tell me about whoever’s birthday party this is.”

“Carlton Hill. He’s the guy who works with Lance.”

“Oh yeah. Not the Magnusson twin but the grumpy guy with the beard.”

“Yes. He’s with Joey. You’ve seen her around the coffee shop. She’s real friendly and outgoing.”

“Oh yeah. I remember Joey. So she and Carlton are a couple. And it’s his birthday.”

“Right. Jules will be there with her husband, Rafe. Julianna. You saw her the other day at the coffee shop. And Paige and Chase are supposed to be there. So you should know at least a few people. Joey knows and likes everyone, so there’s no telling how many people she invited.”

“Carlton doesn’t seem like a big-party kind of person.”

“He’s not. He used to be incredibly antisocial, but he’s a little better than he used to be. Joey might have kept the party smaller since it’s his birthday. But you don’t have to worry even if there are a lot of people you don’t know. I won’t leave you stranded.”

“I appreciate that. Nothing is worse than being stranded at a party with a bunch of strangers while your date is off having fun with friends.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to do that to you.” He pauses, his expression changing very slightly. “After all, we’re supposed to be pretending to be in love.”

I swallow hard. “Exactly. Do you...? Won’t everyone know that you’re just marrying me to get your trust fund?”

“What?”

“Well, they know about the conditions of the trust, right? Won’t they all just assume that’s why we get married?”

He shifts slightly, focusing on the road in front of him. We’re making our way to a more affluent residential neighborhood, which is evidently where Joey and Carlton live. “Not necessarily.”

The conversation is embarrassing me for some reason, so I just say, “Oh. Okay.”

“I’m trying to act like I’m really into you,” he adds. “The plan is to make people think we’re in love.”

“I know. But I just figured, if your friends know you, they might put the pieces together.”

“So you don’t want to act like we’re really together with them?” He shoots me a quick look.

“No, no. I mean, it’s all fine. We’ll go through with the original plan and pretend we’re in love. I was just... wondering.”

Fortunately, Dan doesn’t pursue the conversation further, and it’s only a few minutes later that we’re parking there.

***

THERE ARE ONLY SIXother cars in front of the house, which is a relief. It’s not a very big party, and the comfortable, attractive living room isn’t particularly crowded when Dan and I walk in.

I’m nervous and a bit self-conscious, as I always am in new social situations, but everyone greets us warmly, and Paige comes over right away to chat, keeping me occupied while Dan goes to get us drinks and a plate of snacks.

Conversation is mostly light and casual, but Paige does ask me at one point, “So things are going well with Dan?”

I shrug and smile shyly, hoping I look convincing as a woman who’s falling in love. “I think so.”

“Good. He’s a great guy.”

That’s what everyone says.

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