Page 10 of The Make-Believe Marriage

“It’s going okay. We made it through dinner with his boss. I think he’s getting his promotion today.”

“That’s great.”

“Uh hmmm”

“What aren’t you telling me?” Lilly asks.

“We had this moment after they left. I don’t know. I think I’m reading too much into it.” I shrug, knowing full well she can’t see me.

“O.M.G. Are you falling for the guy? Like really falling for him, not just having that little crush from afar that you’ve had since the first time you saw him?” Lilly’s voice rises. I can practically hear her bouncing in her seat.

“I don’t know. There was something. I thought he was going to kiss me, and then nothing.”

“What happened?”

“He turned around and went to bed.” As had I. Not that I’d slept much that night.

“And neither one of you said anything about it since?” she asked.

“No.” I shake my head.

“Any signs that he’s interested in more than a temporary roommate situation?”

“I don’t think so. I mean, we had fun this weekend, watched a couple of movies and stuff, but mostly, we’ve been staying out of each other’s way.” We’d tiptoed around each other all weekend, and the tension was definitely still there.

“You should tell him. Or better yet, grab him and plant one on him. He’ll get the idea.”

I bark out a laugh at her brazen idea. “Right. That’ll go over well. You forget that I’m dependent on him for a roof over my head right now. It’s too risky.”

“I’m gonna have to call you out on that one. You’re scared of rejection, not eviction. And even if he did ask you to leave, which for the record, he won’t, you have places you can go. Friends. Your dad.”

The doorbell rings, and I breathe out a sigh of relief that I’m getting out of this conversation. “I have to go. Someone’s at the door.”

“Think about it. And take action. If you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life,” Lilly says, firing the words at me before I can hang up.

“I’m Stephanie, Tom’s sister. And you are?” The tall woman with bleached-blonde hair, wearing a smart pants suit, stands in front of me, hand on her hip, holding an expensive-looking purse in the other.

“I’m Krysten. Tom isn’t here. I’ll tell him you stopped by.” I close the door, but Stephanie takes a step forward and stops me.

“Krysten who? More importantly, why are you here, and what are you to my brother?” Stephanie brushes past me and walks into the living room. “Nice tree.”

“Thank you. Excuse me for a moment. Phone call.” I pull my silent mobile out of my back pocket and rush into the hall bathroom, locking the door behind me.

“Tom. Do you have a sister named Stephanie? Tall, blonde, well dressed?” I blurt out the second he answers the phone.

“I do. Why?”

“Because she just waltzed in the door and wanted to know who I am and what I’m doing here. What do I tell her?” My words come out fast, but not nearly as fast as my heart is beating in my chest.

“What is she ... Never mind. Let me think.”

“Think quickly,” I beg, keeping my voice low. I can hear Stephanie pacing her in her high heels across the restored wooden floors of the living room.

“How about this? Tell her we’re roommates. I decided to get some help with the bills. Keep it casual and tell her as little as possible. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Tom hangs up before I get a chance to ask any follow-up questions.

I flush the toilet and wash my hands to buy myself a couple more minutes. Then I head back into the lion’s den.

Stephanie looks stern, intimidating. Nothing like her brother. Not that Tom is a pushover or anything, but he exudes kindness. Always has.

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