Page 50 of On the Double

“Fakely speaking,” she repeated.

“Yeah. It’s not really happening. It’s all fake. But that doesn’t mean you can galavant with him and make it look like you have eyes for another man. It makes me look bad.”

“Um…I was just trying to make friends with them.”

“Well, don’t,” I snapped. “This isn’t real. This is just a show for your grandparents, and as soon as this day is over, so will this fake engagement. You don’t need to make friends with anyone or pretend you’ll see them again later because you won’t.”

Hurt spread across her face at my rough words, but I had to be very clear to both her and myself. I couldn’t allow those beautiful eyes to make me think things that I knew would never happen. And I definitely couldn’t let her think for even a moment that any of this was real.

“Look, I just want to be clear where we stand. When this day is over, that ring still won’t mean a damn thing. I didn’t buy it for you, so if you keep it, it still won’t mean anything. I won’t be calling you and I won’t stop by the grocery store to see how you are. That’s not how this works. I agreed to this only because Fox thrust me into the middle of everything. I don’t want a girlfriend. I have no intention ofgetting married ever. There will be no kids in my future. Do you understand?”

She nodded slightly, but tilted her head at me. “And why do you feel so strongly that you have to tell me that?”

“Because I don’t want you getting any delusions that this could lead somewhere. I made a vow a long time ago that I would never get married. And I won’t change my mind.”

“Why?” It was a question out of pure curiosity. There was no urge in her voice because she thought she could change my mind. And that was the only reason I answered.

“Because I know marriage only makes people miserable. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and it’s not something I ever want to experience myself. People would be happier if they didn’t have these grandiose expectations of each other.”

“That’s kind of sad.”

“It’s not sad. It’s a realistic view of life. Just keep that in mind while we’re milling about today. This cannot and will never go anywhere. It’s all make-believe.”

“I got it,” she said, her voice pitching slightly. “You don’t need to keep telling me.”

“I kind of feel I need to. I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

“Yes, I’m a daydreamer. Call me crazy, but I like to imagine what life could be. I don’t have a predetermined idea of what will happen. The possibilities are endless if you give it a chance.”

“Not in my world,” I snapped. “Now, are we doing this or not?”

She raised an eyebrow at me, taking my hand. “By all means, Pookie. Let’s get this over with.”

Rolling my eyes, I led her back to the festivities. I only had to make it through tonight. That’s what I kept telling myself, but as we approached the crowd of people, I had a feeling I wasn’t prepared at all for what I had gotten myself into.

14

HARPER

I couldn’t stop lookingat the gorgeous ring on my finger. Whether or not it meant anything, it was still the most beautiful piece of jewelry that had ever been on my hand. When my mom passed, Oliver had said that I should take her wedding ring and keep it, but it didn’t feel right. That was special to my parents, and she should be buried wearing the ring my father gave her.

Still, I was very much aware that this meant nothing to Edu. He was doing me a favor and I had to remember that. It didn’t matter how many times I dreamed of him actually proposing and sliding this ring on my finger. It wasn’t real. But as we approached my grandparents, I realized there was a fatal flaw in our plan— something I had thought of earlier, but it slipped my mind the moment he put the ring on my finger.

“Edu.” I grabbed his arm, halting him from going any further. “We have a problem.”

“Just one?” he asked, his eyes shining with amusement.

“I don’t know anything about you other than the fact that you never want to get married. And I hate to point this out, but that will not be useful when we talk to my grandparents.”

His brows furrowed in thought. “Well, giving you a rundown right now won’t exactly be useful.”

“I have a very good memory.”

He rolled his eyes at me. “Fine. I hate eighties music. Don’t ever bring it up. I served in the Marines for eight years before getting out, and I’ve been here ever since. My parents are divorced and I don’t speak with either of them. I love meat and guns, and I absolutely despise men who don’t know how to be men. Is that enough?”

I cringed, but nodded. “I can work with that. Should I tell you a little about me?”

“I guess if we’re going to get through this, telling me about your daydreams isn’t going to be enough.”

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