Page 114 of Never With You
“You’re good for Nate.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.”
“I was skeptical when Nate told us he was dating someone seriously. It just seemed like another crazy idea of his that wasn’t well thought out, but now that I’ve seen you two together, I know it’s more than that.”
My mouth opens to reply, but what can I say? This is Nate’s family to come clean to. Not mine.
“Anyway, thanks for a wonderful trip.” He turns to leave but stops to add, “I’m sure I’ll see you next weekend at Dawson’s engagement party?”
“Uh…yeah.” I force a smile. “Of course.”
One last nod, then Mack walks away.
I find Nate and pull him from a group of people so we can talk privately.
“What’s up?”
“What’s up? Your dad thinks we’re dating.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Likedatingdating. He invited me to your brother’s engagement party next weekend.”
“So?”
“So! How long are we going to keep this lie going? Until I’m pregnant with our first child?”
A teasing smile lights his face. “I was thinking more like our fourth child.”
“Nate!” I flick his arm with the back of my hand. “This is serious. We never discussed how we’d handle the aftermath of our lie.”
“I’m not worried about it.”
“You’re not worried about it?”
“No.” His shoulders lift. “It will all work out.”
“It won’t all work out, because you’ll show up to your brother’s engagement party alone.”
“What if I don’t show up alone? What if you come with me?”
“Nate, at some point, you’ll need to tell your parents that this was all fake. Or you could blame me and say I cheated on you. You’re totally heartbroken. That might earn you some sympathy. But whatever you decide, you have to address it. This relationship can’t last forever.”
“Maybe it could. Maybe it could be real…forever.”
“Nate,” I whisper. It’s more than his name. It’s a plea.
His brown eyes search mine. He says nothing but also so much at the same time.
Mack and Connie walk over, interrupting our serious conversation. Honestly, their timing is perfect because I don’t have a response to what he said or implied. My heart is so confused.
“I’m worried about the rain.” Mack glances at the sky. “Those clouds don’t look good.”
“Maybe we should begin dinner and the program to stay ahead of the weather,” I offer with a smile, even though I feel the same anxiety he does.
“Do you want to get things started?” Nate looks at me.
“You go for it. I’m afraid all your fans will be disappointed if I’m the one who steps up to the mic.”
