Page 12 of Knot Really Engaged
“Liam is a handsome man. I’m sure he has a lady in San Diego,” Mom says hopeful.
Someone from San Diego?I repeat in my head . . . A girlfriend? Hire an actress? What are they talking about? Like they want me to introduce my grandma to someone who might become the future Mrs. Cohen even if it never actually happens?
I remember Audrey and how we promised to shield each other from exactly this, right? Love lives, meddling family members, and boredom—it was something like that.
And suddenly, the lie escapes my lips, a desperate attempt to hold onto something, anything. “Fine, if you must know, Audrey McCallister and I are engaged.”
The words hang in the air, heavy and momentous. I can see the shock register on their faces, the way their eyes widen, and their mouths fall open. For a moment, the room is silent, the only sound the pounding of my own heart in my ears.
Fuck, what did I just do?
Chapter Six
Liam
“Engaged?”Mom repeats, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re engaged.”
“Umm, yes,” I confirm but it’s more like a mumble. Because I’m regretting what I just said. What the fuck was I thinking.
“Engaged to Audrey McCallister?” She says her name, as if it’snew, unrecognizable.
“Yeah, the same pretty girl who used to live next door,” I say, hoping to sound like a sap in love.
“But . . . but you never mentioned . . .”Mom’s voice trails, as if she’s trying to take in the idea of Audrey and me being together—and engaged.
I should say, kidding or I’m joking or . . . something smart because this might end up in a disaster. Though I stop myself the moment I remember my grandmother who has always wanted me to have someone in my life, fall in love. Find my happy.
Like that is even a thing. Okay, it worked for my grandparents but look at Mom and Dad. They hated each other and since the divorce my father has been jumping from one very obnoxious girlfriend to another. While Mom . . . Well, she has Malcolm but still. There’s no such thing as a happily forever.
“You’re engaged to Audrey McCallister?” Dad asks suspiciously. “I didn’t even know you two were dating.”
“We wanted to keep it quiet. Max can be a complete asshole when it comes to the men who date his sister. It was better to wait and see how things played out between us before telling anyone that we were falling in love,” I blurt out, the lie taking on a life of its own. It’s just like any other marketing pitch. So far it seems like I’m selling this. “One day, I realized she’s the love of my life and Iproposed. Though, we wanted to tell you guys in person but of course, we didn’t want to steal the spotlight from her parents’ anniversary.”
Mom, Dad, and Malcolm stare at me surprised. I’m beginning to wonder if I said too much or . . . Fuck, what am I doing?
Retreat, Cohen. Shut up and say you’re kidding before things get out of hand.
Dad’s brow furrows, confusion and surprise warring on his face. “Little Audrey from next door is your fiancée?” He’s definitely not believing me and maybe I should just say I’m just kidding, Dad.
But my mouth and my brain are not connecting. It keeps spewing shit. “She’s not so little anymore, Dad. And we are crazy in love. It was pretty simple. She lives in San Diego, I do too and, well, we realized we’re meant for each other.”
Okay, that’s vague enough to be believable. We’ll think about the details later. Fuck, I need to talk to Audrey soon.
Dad’s shock gives way to a wide grin that splits his face in two, a rare sight that makes me feel both guilty and grateful. He steps forward, engulfing me in a bear hug so tight it’s like being squeezed by an affectionate python.
“Son, that’s wonderful news.” His voice rumbles with pride, vibrating against my chest.
When I glance at Mom, her eyes fill with tears. “Liam. That’s . . . that’s amazing.”
I nod, riding the wave of their happiness, even as my stomach churns with the weight of the lie. “Yeah, but we still want to keep it low-key. You know, not to overshadow everything that’s happening this weekend.”
“Of course, of course,” Mom nods, already lost in a daydream of floral arrangements and future grandchildren. I just hope that she really keeps this quiet. I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts texting the Montgomerys and . . . Oh fuck, she won’t be holding this for long, will she?
“Mom, I mean it. This doesn’t get out of here,” I try to come across as serious.
She waves a hand as if I’m just being a little too anal. “Liam, just focus on this—this is just the blessing we needed right now.”
She rushes forward, pulling me into a fierce hug. I can feel the dampness of her tears against my shirt, the way her body shakes with a mixture of joy and sorrow.
