Page 14 of Knot Really Engaged
“Shut up,” she whisper-yells, her eyes widening in alarm. She steps outside, pulling the door closed behind her. “What about it?”
I tilt my head outside, “Would you like to take a walk with me?”
“Nope. Talk now,” she demands.
“Someone might overhear us,” I remind her, leaning closer and whispering in her ear. “It’s a solution to your problem, but no one can know about it.”
She takes a step back. Giving me a suspicious look. “What’s your game, Liam Cohen?”
“If you want to know, you have to come with me.”
She hesitates, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. I can see the indecision playing out on her face, the warring emotions in her eyes. “Fine, let’s go.”
We set off down the street. Audrey struggles to keep up. “Slow down,” she complains, huffing a little as she tries to match my speed. “Where’s the fire?”
I slow my pace, falling into step beside her. “Sorry,” I mutter. “This is my normal walk. Maybe you should try to walk a little faster.”
“Well, your normal walk is like jogging for me and I don’t jog,” she says. “Actually, I only run ifsomeone is chasing me or there’s a zombie apocalypse.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re something else, Little McCallister.”
She gives me a dirty look and we continue walking in silence until we arrive at the park where we used to play as children. We make our way to our old spot, a quiet corner shaded by a large oak tree.
Audrey leans against the trunk, her arms crossed over her chest. “Okay, spill. What’s so important that you dragged me outside and . . . how you think it’ll solve my boyfriend issue.”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction. “I just told my parents we’re engaged,” I say, the words rushing out in a single breath.
Her mouth falls open, her eyes widening in shock. “You told them we’re what?!” she shrieks, her voice rising an octave.
Chapter Seven
Liam
“Engaged,”I repeat, trying to sound casual. I shrug my shoulders, a nonchalant gesture that belies the racing of my heart.
“You and I . . .” she laughs. “No really, why did you bring me here? This time, be serious about it okay. Ireally want to take a nap.”
I clear my throat. “I. Told. My. Parents. That. We. Are. Engaged.”
“Engaged,” she repeats, as if the word makes no sense.
“Yeah. I said we’ve been dating and that I proposed since we’re crazy in love.”
“Oh, you’re definitely crazy,” she scoffs, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. She throws her hands up in the air, a gesture of exasperation. “That was . . . What were you thinking?”
I wince, running a hand through my hair. “I know, I know. It was stupid . . .” My voice trails off, the words sticking in my throat. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction before I tell her what’s going on with my grandmother. At least, everything my parents told me.
She listens without interrupting me which I take as a good sign. Maybe she’ll take some pity on me and go with this for the next week. One week that’s all I need to make my grandma happy.
“She always wanted to see my wedding—I’m her only grandchild,” I say, my voice cracking with sadness and grief. I look away, blinking back the tears that threaten to fall.
Audrey stares at me, her expression unreadable. I can see the wheels turning in her head, the implications of my words sinking in. This isn’t a small favor, but it’s worth it to ask and who better to bemy accomplice than her. Plus, she also needs it to save face, right?
“Liam, this is insane. We can’t pretend to be engaged. What happens when everyone finds out the truth?”
I step closer, my hands coming up to grip her shoulders gently. I can feel the warmth of her skin through her shirt, the way she tenses under my touch. Instead of convincing her that this idea will work, I want to tell her that she’s safe with me, in my arms.
And of course, I stop myself because where the fuck did that come from? Focus, Cohen.
