Page 15 of The Wedding Hoax

“So, Simone,” Grace started. “How did you and Harry meet each other?”

Dinner had just started, with a medley of seasoned vegetables and fresh bread being placed on the table. I looked over at Harry, my mind suddenly going blank.

“I—uh—”

“We met at work,” Harry smoothly answered the question for both of us. “Well, not exactly, but it was close enough. We actually ran into each other at a coffee shop.”

“A coffee shop?”

“It’s the one near LA Now,” I said, my brain finally coming back online. “It’s kind of a funny story. Harry was in a rush to get to work. So much of a rush that he cut ahead of me in line. He tried to order, but I stopped him. Told him that it wasn’t fair to cut in front of people like that.”

“Good on you, woman.” Ruby grinned. “Men like Harry need more people standing up to them. Not less.”

“Yes, I’m quite impressed by that story, too,” Jonah joined the conversation. “Sounds like you two were a good match, right from the start.”

“Is it awkward? Working together?” Grace continued. “I couldn’t imagine working with my significant other. I feel like things at home would be so tense.”

“It’s not hard at all, really,” Harry replied. “Who wouldn’t want to see their favorite person all the time? I feel lucky that I get to see Simone so often.”

I smiled at Harry’s words, even though I knew they weren’t true. It was still nice to think about someone who cared about me talking like that, even if it was never going to be Harry.

Not for real, anyway.

“Ah. He’s completely smitten. That’s the difference, Grace,” Jonah joked with his wife. “They’re still at that stage where they want to do everything together.”

“Young love.” Grace wistfully sighed. “I’m so happy for both of you.”

I relaxed against my seat as I took a deep breath.

Phew. They were totally buying it.

And now we just had to get through the rest of dinner without any surprises.

* * *

“You’re not going to have dessert?” I pressed as I took a bite of vanilla bean ice cream.

Harry shook his head. “Ice cream isn’t good for the brain.”

“Who cares about that? It’s good for the soul.”

“She’s right, you know,” Ruby chimed in. “Refusing ice cream can only lead to some very dark places.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Harry gave in, sticking his spoon into my bowl. “If it gets you two to leave me alone, I’ll take a little bit of brain damage.”

“Simone, how in the world do you put up with his grumpy ass?” Ruby chuckled. “Seriously.”

“I just take it a day at a time,” I joked, then glanced around the table.

The rest of dinner had gone extraordinarily, suspiciously well, with Harry’s parents seeming satisfied with our relationship. Sean and Ruby seemed to buy it, too. They were already kidding around with me like I was part of the family.

At first, I was confused by their warm reception, especially since Harry acted like spending time with them was such a chore. But as the night went on, I started to wonder if Harry was actually the odd man out.

And then I wondered what that must’ve been like for him, growing up in a family where you felt like you didn’t belong.

How lonely that must’ve been.

“Everyone? I have something I want to say.” Harry suddenly stood up from the table, and his family’s attention flew toward him. “I, uh, I have an announcement.”

---