Page 145 of Girls Will Be Girls
He lifts my hand and drops a tender kiss on my finger, where his ring still sits. It’s hard not to smile.
When I look away from him, I see all three of our friends looking over at us like we’re adorable. Frida isn’t scowling at all, Elijah is smiling a half smile like he knows something we don’t, and Dylan’s eyes are welling up.
“You’re fake engaged.” She wipes at her eye. “I’m so happy for you.”
I laugh as she hugs me.
“Okay,” Frida says. “Game faces.”
I steel myself to lie to my parents just one more time. I can take the disappointment of not telling them about this. I can handle that because the truth would be much worse, and what Frida said is true. I won’t see them again for a long time after this, and maybe by then we will be engaged.
I don’t hate that idea.
I’d like to say we walk out of the broom closet like we’re a group of cool misfits brought together to heist a casino, dark sunglasses on, smoke billowing behind us, on a mission, but it’s more a quiet tiptoe back to the party, hoping minimal people pay attention to us.
Even with our agreement to just play along, it doesn’t make lying any more enjoyable. But, as a veteran people pleaser born into my role, I am hardwired to say whatever it takes to make people like me, which right now, these people want to see a happy newly engaged couple, so that’s what I’ll be.
We all grab another drink from the waiters walking around with more champagne flutes, along with some mini quiches. We stay on the sidelines, hiding and avoiding having to deal with my parents for a little longer.
Lucas and Fred find us first, walking over, hands linked and looking like they’re loving every second of this party.
“What the hell is going on?” Lucas beams. “What did you do?” He grins at me like he’s living for the tea.
“Are you two actually engaged?” Fred ducks his head down to our level. He’s practically the spitting image of a young Jordan, height and all, which helovesfor himself, but means he’s always bending down to talk to us.
“No,” I say.
“It’s a long story.” Lou offers.
“But just pretend like we are,” I add on.
“Got ya.” Lucas nods. “Super clear.”
Gordy runs up to us like a scrappy little dog. “Did you knowallthe drinks are free?” He says excitedly. “I don’t know what’s going on, but this is the best day of my life.”
“He’s had like four rum and cokes,” Caspar explains from behind him.
“These two…” Frida waves her finger between Lou and me, “Fake engaged.”
“Cool.” Gordy takes the quiche out of Elijah’s hand and chews it down whole.
“Should we ask?” Caspar looks around concerned.
Dylan shakes her head. “Best not.” She whispers.
I sigh and rub at my temples, feeling a headache coming on. “I could use one of those free drinks Gordy talked about.” I look up at Lou. “Come with me?”
“Lead the way, fiancée.”
I turn to him and glare. “Don’t start.”
He grins, easing the pit in my chest a little.
I lean onto the empty bar. While waiting for a bartender to come back, Lou leans his back next to me, his mouth coming level with my ear.
“I am going to make this all up to you.” He says.
“It’s not your fault.”
