Page 17 of My Fakish Fiancé

"Don't be silly. I can afford it, and I want to treat you. If you're going to this movie premiere and dating a movie producer, you'll have to look the part."

My mother would have been right if I had told the truth, but I felt guilty taking her money when everything was a lie.

We spent the rest of the day shopping.

"Where is your ring?" she asked as we walked into a jewelry store.

Glancing at my ring finger, I thought quickly on my feet.

"I don't wear it. We're a secret, remember?"

My mother narrowed her eyes at me but didn't bring it up again. We continued shopping but didn't find a dress for the premiere. Thank goodness for that, since I wouldn't be attending, but my mother bought me a few more high-end outfits than I used to.

The outfits were gorgeous, and I was beyond thankful, but I knew that once I was home, I would have to contact Aaron and explain everything.

***

I stared at my cell phone as I tried to hype myself up. I had to tell Aaron what was happening before my mother called him and congratulated him — or worse, told his parents.

Finally getting the courage, I dialed Aaron's number.

The phone rang twice before Aaron's deep voice echoed through my phone.

"Three phone calls in a matter of days, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

I let out a laugh before a choking sound burst from my throat. I started to cry. The guilt overwhelmed me.

"E, what's going on?" Aaron pleaded. "Come on, don't cry. Just tell me what's going on, and I can help you."

I didn't know how he would react to what I did, and the thought of getting rejected by him after so many years of healing from my unrequited crush was too much to bear, but I had to come clean.

"Remember how I told you I told my mother I had a boyfriend?"

"Of course, that was just the other day. Did she find out you were lying?"

"Not exactly," I started to say before going quiet.

I had no clue how to break this to him.

"Come on, E, just tell me what's got you down. I'm here to help."

"Well," I said after taking a deep breath. "I might have told my mom that you are the guy I've been seeing, and we were engaged."

I was met with silence.

"Hello?"

A loud laugh could be heard coming from Aaron's end of the phone.

"What's so funny?" I asked, wiping the tears from my eyes.

How could he be laughing? This was serious. I had just screwed the both of us.

"And your mom believed you?" Aaron questioned once his laughter died down.

"Of course she did; our parents have been pushing us together since we were kids," I said.

It was true. Our parents pushed us to be friends, and they always teased us about maybe being more.

---