Page 27 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

"Nothing. There's a dance party that is coming up, I plan to go with Abigail, dressed as bunny rabbits."

"No boy has asked you to the dance?" I ask.

"Oh, they have. But I'd rather go with Abigail. We are going to have so much fun that way anyway."

"You're right," I say, recalling how going to the dance with boys in high school had been less fun. I should have gone with my friends like Emma is doing now.

"Boys are a total bore."

I chuckle.

"I hope you continue to think that. It will save you a lot of heartache."

Somehow, I recall Eli and his attitude this evening, and suddenly curious, I decided to ask her.

"Emma, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes."

"What do you think boys could possibly like?"

Emma is silent for a second, and I can tell that she's thinking about it.

"I don't know," she answers after several seconds of static silence. "You know we don't have a brother; I honestly don't know. Why did you ask?"

I sigh.

How can I tell Emma that I have met a preteen boy who might not like me very much but who I am eager to win over?

I don't know why I want Eli to like me, but I really do.

“There's this young boy I met."

"A young boy?"

"Yes. His father introduced us. He is like... He just isn't used to the idea of his father dating, you know."

"Oh... " Emma's voice comes up, low and tinged with sudden understanding. "You're seeing someone."

It's not a question. At that moment, I realize that I have exposed myself to her.

"Yes," I say. "I am, in fact, seeing someone."

It is a little shocking how easy it is for me to admit to dating, even though what we are doing is entirely fake. I also feel a sliver of guilt about lying to my sister. But she cannot know the truth.

"Who?" she asks.

"You'll meet him when it's time," I say, imagining that I get to introduce Declan to my sister and that she and Sadie get along with Eli.

I blink in time at the image of a full noisy family dinner with the Grays to hear Emma say, "I miss you."

"Aww. I miss you too."

"I really hope you come and visit soon."

"I definitely will,"I tell her.

I don't care that I have somehow always managed to get into an altercation with my father. We have, like my mother, not had the best relationship. I’ve never tried to understand why he would be apathetic about caring for his children and leaving all the work for their mother to do.

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