Page 18 of Can We Fake It?

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Mr. Cyrus. You know what they say, always let the dad win!”

He lets out a hearty chuckle, and Florence smiles as well, her hand on her heart and her eyes glistening.

“You’ll come by for another dinner, won’t you, Carter?” Florence questions.

“Absolutely. Whenever Jada wants to bring me over, I’ll be here.”

Florence claps her hands. “Wonderful, wonderful!”

Jada smiles, and I can tell it’s in relief. Everything has gone as well as we’d hoped.

We all exchange hugs and Jada tells her parents she loves them and will be by again soon, and I thank them again for the lovely night.

Once we’re in the car, Jada lets out one long sigh.

“Thank you,” she tells me, putting her hand on my arm. “I can’t even believe that went so well. You won them over so quickly, it’s incredible. I don’t remember the last time Dad invited someone to golf with him!”

I look at her momentarily before returning my eyes to the road. “You know I meant it, right? Your parents really did raise an incredible, caring, loving woman. It’s not hard to find ways to speak highly of you.”

12

JADA

Today I’m at one of the beachfront bars in the horseshoe, Sippy Cup, and it’s been relatively dead all day. I don’t mind it. It gives me time to just enjoy my day. I find myself humming along with the songs I can hear being played throughout the resort.

It’s a beautiful day, and I soak up as much sun as I possibly can. I did a single long braid today which is draped over my left side, and I pretend to sing into the braid when I hear a song I particularly like. No one has seen me do that all day, but it makes me smile to be able to be a little silly and not stressed about finding a man to please my parents.

I have to admit, Carter was right. This is really a good plan. I mean, Honey is really a treasure. I can see why Carter is worried about her. She is so frail, and the thought of my mom dying before my eyes the way she is truly hurts.

But the way he managed to charm my parents at dinner, holding my hand and asking questions about me as a kid really surprised me. I had never imagined they would have opened up to someone who wasn’t as religious as them. But something about the way Mom and Dad smiled as Carter asked them questions made my heart clench.

It’s been a really great fake relationship, and Heidi can’t help but sing the wedding march as I walk up to the bar each day. It always makes me laugh. I never thought I’d have been set up with a friend’s brother, but Heidi really did do a great job matching us up. Still, I’m glad we’re not actually dating.

I let myself smile again, and when I look up, I let out a sigh. I’m actuallyhappy.

“Is that smile for me?” I hear from my left, and I turn to see Carter. I wasn’t expecting him to show up today.

“Hi!” I gush. “Heidi’s off for the day, sorry –”

“Oh, I know.” He waves his hands. “I’m, uh, I’m here to see you.”

“Oh?” I try to keep my voice even, not wanting him to hear the way it jumps up and gives away the way my heart races at his words. He doesn’t seem to notice as he smiles and takes a seat at the bar.

“Yeah. I figure I would come here and take you to dinner? After dinner with your parents, I realized that if we want to keep up the appearance of a couple, we should probably spend just a little bit of time with one another.”

He smiles at me, and I like the way he does. “That way when we see each other’s parents we’re a little less stagnant.” Something about the look on his face has my stomach clenching again, and I can’t help but return his compliment with a really terrible joke.

I bat my eyelashes. “Really? And here I thought you just wanted a fake marriage in order to get my fake dowry.”

I don’t expect it, but Carter lets out one loud and boisterous laugh that catches me off guard.

“I’m sorry,” he says, wiping an actual tear from under his eye. “I don’t know why that was the funniest thing I’ve heard in days. See, this is what I’m talking about. I wanna know more of the real you, and honestly, I think being able to keep up with your jokes around other people would really help.”

Now I know my face feels hot, but I don’t know if he can tell.

“So, dinner?” he asks, and something in his voice catches my attention. I’m not sure if it’s nervousness or something else. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“Yeah,” I tell him, nodding. “Give me a few minutes, my break is about to start.”

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