Page 20 of Knot Really Engaged
“Ugh . . .” I groan, burying my face in my hands.
This is a nightmare, a disaster of epic proportions. But I know I can’t hide in Max’s room forever. It’s impossible to avoid the consequences of our little charade. Liam and I need a solution before they can overwhelm us.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. Then, with a final glance at Max, I climb out the window, my movements clumsy and ungraceful.
Liam is there to catch me, his hands warm and steady on my waist as he helps me down from the tree. For a moment, we’re pressed together, his body solid and comforting against mine. I can feel the heat of his skin through his shirt, the way his heart beats steady and strong in his chest.
I look up at him, my breath catching in my throat. His eyes are dark, intense as they search mine, and for a moment, I swear he’s going to kiss me. And the crazy part is that I’m ready for it—for him. My lips part, my tongue darting out to wet them, and I see his gaze flicker down to my mouth.
Do I want him to kiss me?The thought is sudden, unbidden, and it sends a jolt of need through my veins. I can’t deny the attraction between us, the way my body responds to his touch.
But then reality comes crashing back as my brother says, “Move so I can join you.” Reminding me that he’s here and I shouldn’t be looking at his friend like he’s a lollipop I want to lick all over. I take a step back, putting some distance between Liam and me.
Liam shakes his head. “Just jump, asshole.” His hand reaches out to pull me back to him. His touchis warm, electric, and I have to resist the urge to lean into it. “Come on, we have to move. Ethan is waiting for us with the getaway car.”
I frown, my brow furrowing in confusion. “This seems like a lot for just getting out of the house,” I say, my tone skeptical.
“Yeah, but there’s a lot involved and we need engagement pictures and a plan,” Liam says, his voice low and urgent. He glances around, as if checking for any prying eyes or listening ears.
“And how are we getting those pictures? I’m sure it’s a lot different than getting a fake ID to buy some beer.”
Liam chuckles, shaking his head.
“Lily, Ethan’s fiancée, is going to help us with the photographic evidence. In the meantime, we’ll come up with a plan to make this fake engagement believable,” Max chimes in, his tone sneaky. He’s got that glint in his eye, the one that always spells trouble.
“What if they catch us?” I ask, my voice small and hesitant.
They laugh, the sound startling in the quiet of the yard.
“Ethan and Max are in charge now. No one has ever caught them while taking over the world—no one,” Liam smirks, and I hate to admit that he’sright. Those two got away with a lot while growing up.
And while they’re certainly clever, they’re not infallible. Sooner or later, their luck is going to run out. And I’m afraid it’ll be when I need them the most.
Chapter Ten
Audrey
During the driveto Ethan’s place, I learned that it was Liam’s mom who blew the whistle so to speak. She thought the four Moms would keep it under wraps until we were ready to say something. Like my mother would keep such news to herself—doubtful. She’s probablypicking up my wedding colors or figuring out where we’ll be having the reception. I’m still surprised that nobody thought about looking for me in my room, but I’m thankful for it though.
When we arrived at Ethan’s place, I got to meet the infamous Lily. Max had told me about her, right when they first met her and how she was about to go on a road trip to find her ex-boyfriends. My brother called it a midlife crisis. Which ended up with Ethan falling madly in love with Lily—and vice versa.
They make a really cute couple and I’m glad that at least one of the four best friends has found love. Well, Caleb did when he was young but lost it too soon. Mara left him. No one has ever told me about the reason for the divorce. They’re very tight-lipped about it.
And now I’m in Eth and Lily’s room waiting for her to find just the perfect outfit to lend me so we can take pictures of me and Liam. Ethan already lent my fake fiancé a suit for the occasion.
“What’s the story?” Lily asks as she goes through her closet, her fingers skimming over the hangers.
I furrow my brow. “Story? You already know Max, my older brother. There’s Jacob, the middle child and I’m the baby. I live in San Diego, and Ido consulting work?” I say, my voice rising at the end, turning the statement into a question.
She gives me a sidelong glance, her lips pursed in confusion. She shakes her head, her long hair swishing with the movement. “No, I mean, what are you two planning on telling your family? There has to be a story, right? Like how you two reconnected, or . . . how long have you been dating since it happened, and most importantly how did he propose? I’m trying to find holes in your story so you can get it straight by the time you go back to your family.”
“Oh . . .” I trail off, my mind racing to come up with a plausible story, but I come up with absolutely nothing. My palms start to sweat, and I can feel my heart rate picking up as the gravity of the situation sinks in. “We haven’t had time to come up with a backstory or iron out the details of our alleged romance. It’s . . . Liam came up with this a few hours ago. I asked him to wait to tell anyone until I could come up with a plan, and I went to take a nap to avoid the mayhem at my house.”
Lily nods. “But by the time you woke up, everyone was in the know?”
I sigh, my shoulders slumping in defeat. “Yep, and before you could say it, I’ll admit it. We’re screwed.”
“You’re not, but now everything makes a little more sense,” she says, still rummaging through her closet. Her brows dip in concentration as she pulls out a few dresses, examining each one carefully and then hanging it back in. “Eth asked if I could photoshop some pictures to create the perfect engagement illusion—I think those were his words. It sounded crazy, but . . . I get it now.” She turns to me, her eyes soft with understanding.
