Page 53 of Falling for your Fake Boyfriend

Isla

My phone was propped on the top of the vanity. Layla was on the screen watching me put on makeup and giving me pointers. I was mostly a swipe-of-mascara-when-I-had-time type of girl, whereas Layla had a makeup routine for each part of her day. She had always been the one to wear a Disney princess costume around the house or dress up Nonna’s cat, Chester, in doll clothes. Chester was always a good sport about it.

“Swipe a little blush under your cheekbones to make them stand out,” Layla said. She was doing some yoga stretches in between her nuggets of advice.

I followed her instructions and sat back. “What do you think?”

She knelt, rested back on her heels and looked at the screen. “I think that lipstick is too dark.”

“It’s the only one I brought.”

“Guess it’ll have to do.” Layla returned to a downward dog position.

“Thanks for the pep talk,” I said. “And now all I can see in this mirror are dark lips like I’m heading to a goth party.”

She sat back again. “No, it’s fine. You look beautiful. El!” she shouted in a tone that startled me.

“Geez, you’re sitting in a thousand-square-foot cottage. She could hear if you just whispered her name.”

Layla scoffed. “That’s what you think.” She got up and headed down the hallway past the row of framed pictures on the wall. I felt a touch of homesickness. Layla aimed the phone toward the door and pushed it open. Ella was wearing headphones as she feverishly typed on her laptop. “She’s been listening to Gaelic music. She says it gives her inspiration.”

“Hey, El, check out Isla’s makeup. See what you think.”

Ella didn’t look pleased about the interruption. She yanked off her headphones, glanced at the phone and nodded her approval. “The lipstick is a little dark.”

My posture deflated. “Great, so I do look goth.”

“No, you look really beautiful,” Ella added after seeing my expression. “You’re going to wow them. Is there a staircase entrance? You know one of those long, flowing staircases where the woman strolls down and everyone in the ballroom turns to gawk?”

“I’m sorry to disappoint, El. There’s a long staircase, but the ballroom is a few corridors away. However, I have a surprise to show both of you, something that will guarantee me a few turned heads when I walk into the room.” My fingers were actually trembling as I lifted the necklace from the box. I held it up to my neck. Both my sisters grabbed the phone and leaned in closer for a better look.

“What on earth? Did Luke give you those?” Layla asked.

I laughed. “Hardly. His grandmother, Hazel—a wonderful woman, by the way—lent them to me for the night. I’m so nervous about wearing them. They’re amazing, aren’t they? There are earrings to match. And they go perfectly with the dress.”

Ella smirked at Layla. “Told you I nailed it on the dress choice.”

Layla rolled her eyes. “So, you got one right for a change.”

I cleared my throat to pop them out of their teenage-style argument. “What do you think?”

“It’s like a fairy tale,” Ella said. There were little sparkles, just like the diamonds, in her eyes.

“Except the prince is technically my boss or whatever you would call this weird thing we’re stuck in. Still, I’m determined to have a good time, and I think wearing this necklace is going to make sure that happens. I’ve got to go. Guests are starting to arrive downstairs. Wish me luck.”

“Remember every detail because we want to hear about every minute,” Ella said.

Layla peered into the screen. “You look beautiful, Isla. Knock ‘em dead.”

“Thanks for your help.” I hung up and walked over to the bed where I’d laid out the dress. “Now let’s see if we can get this sucker zipped up.” A vision of me entering the ballroom in my jean cutoffs, a T-shirt and the unbelievable jewels gave me a little tickle. It felt good to relax for those few seconds.

I picked up the dress and held it against me. Ella was right. She nailed it with the dress choice. I took a deep breath. “I guess it’s showtime.”

There I was again, staring into the long mirror and assessing every inch of my reflection. I never wanted to bethatgirl—someone fixated on her own image. I’d happily leave the mirror behind once I left this place. I badly wanted to do a few deep breathing exercises before putting on the jewels, but the snug fit of the dress wouldn’t allow it. I walked over to the vanity and picked up the earrings first. They slipped in easily and instantly felt weighty and luxurious on my lobes. I glanced in the vanity mirror. I’d done like Hazel suggested and swept my hair up off my face and neck. I’d pinned it in a loose chignon behind my head. The earrings glistened like actual stars in the sky. Hazel must have dazzled people whenever she wore them. She no doubt dazzled them even without the jewels. She probably never fit in with the uberwealthy crowd, but that didn’t matter to her because she had a wonderful husband who adored her. The rest were just peripheral nuisances that could be managed as long as she had her Lucas at her side.

I put on the necklace. My fingers touched the jewels lightly as I walked back to the mirror. I sucked in a breath. It was hard to believe the woman staring back was me. It was time. I could hear music and voices downstairs. The party was in full swing.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I made it all the way down the stairs and along the corridor without running into any one of the venomous trio. The ballroom was at the end of a long hallway. Two massive doors were propped open, and I could see the crowd inside. A flurry of glittering dresses and jewels sparkled under the many lights hanging from the coffered ceiling.

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