Page 48 of Playbook
“Which does my fake girlfriend prefer?” he asks with one side of his mouth kicked up in a smile. “I think I’d be the kind of boyfriend that would consider those things.”
A snort escapes me before I can stop it. “I prefer anything that makes you blend in.” I wave a hand in front of him. “No one is going to buy this.”
“Your ex did.” He rolls the sleeves back up. The look suits him and what little I know about his personality. He still looks nice, but casual and relaxed.
“In a dimly lit bar for a few minutes.” This suddenly feels like the worst idea I’ve ever had. Does the man have to look so much like a superstar? Maybe my family would believe that I was dating some unknown, unheard of local athlete, but the Mavericks’ hot new rookie?
“We got this,” he says. “No one will know.” He steps toward the restaurant, but I don’t budge.
I don’t believe him, but it’s too late now. “Wait. We should go over our story one more time.”
He cocks a brow. “You’re overthinking this.”
“I just want to be prepared.”
“Or maybe you’re just stalling.”
I start to deny it, but he’s right. We’re here, it’s not going to get any easier, so we might as well get this over with. Anyway, tonight is about Sierra and Ben. Hopefully we can fly under the radar. I didn’t tell anyone Brogan was my date, so there’s a chance they might not even recognize him. I didn’t.
The hostess leads us to the back of the restaurant. My stomach is in knots as I spot our group. In addition to our families, a few of Sierra and Ben’s closest friends have joined, and they’re at a longtable.
My mother spots us first, followed by my dad. I feel their heavy stares move from me to my date. I did warn them I was bringing someone, but Brogan is…well, he’s clearly not what they were expecting.
I break their gaze and scan the rest of the table. Chris and Gretchen are cuddled up together, seated next to his parents. Sierra and Ben are at the very end, surrounded by their friends, but when my sister sees me, her face lights up and she points to the two empty seats in front of her.
“Hi, everyone,” I say as I stand behind one of the empty chairs, as far away from Chris as I can manage.
“Oh, thank goodness. They wouldn’t take our orders until the entire party was here,” Sierra says. “I’m starving.”
“I’m afraid that’s my fault.” Brogan steps up behind me, warmth radiating off him. “I was running late, and London was kind enough to wait for me.”
Sierra’s eyes widen almost comically, and her mouth drops open. I feel a twinge of guilt that I didn’t warn her, but there’s really no way to prepare for Brogan Six. He’s a lot to take in. “That’s…wow….Hi.” She squeaks out the last word.
Several awkward seconds pass by while everyone at the table quiets and then just stares at him. I’d be amused if I weren’t also freaking out. Even more so when a big, beefy arm drapes around my waist. “Hi. Good to meet you all.”
That’s when I realize I need to introduce him. Ben notices too and is the first to cut the silence. He stands and extends a hand. “Excuse my fiancée, I think she’s in shock. I’m Ben. You’reBrogan Six.”
“I am. Hi. Congrats on the engagement.” Brogan’s body presses into mine as he leans closer to shake with Ben. Sierra snaps out of it, then lobs a wobbly smile from me to my date. I read theWhat the hell, Lo Lo?written on her face, but I ignore it.
“Everyone, this is Brogan.” I angle my body to him and say, “You met Ben, that’s my sister, Sierra, and our parents.”
Sierra takes over introducing her and Ben’s friends. A few more people get up to shake his hand, including my dad.
“Wes,” he says. “Glad you could join us.”
“Likewise,” Brogan says. He aims a charming smile at the entire group.
When the formalities are done, I pull out my chair. Brogan takes the last vacant one beside me. He drops a hand to my knee and I jump like someone took a cattle prod to my back. When I glance over, my date gives me a reassuring smile. He leans in and pretends to kiss my temple.
“Relax, we got this,” he says quietly.
THIRTEEN
I’ve never been to a dinner with parents before. Not like this. Two families with both parents, everyone happy and laughing, having a good time. The only one not having fun is London. She sits next to me, quiet and pushing her food around her plate.
The parents are in a conversation about a new pickleball court; Sierra and Ben’s friends are talking animatedly and laughing, and Sierra is watching me with her sister carefully. I’m not sure she’s totally buying us together because London looks miserable.
“So how did you two meet?” Ben asks, draping one arm around the back of his fiancée’s chair.
