Page 68 of The Wedding Hoax

“Oh. There was something else you wanted to talk to me about?”

I want you to be with me. I want you to stay.

I want this to be real.

“Nope. I was just checking in,” I lied. “You know how it is sometimes when things get intense. I wanted to make sure you were okay with everything.”

“More than okay.” She lightly chuckled. “Some might say I even prefer it that way.”

I pressed a gentle kiss against her shoulder. “Good. Glad to hear I delivered, then.”

“You always do.” Simone tightly squeezed my hand. “Okay. I think I’m going to pass out. Good night, Harry.”

“Good night, Simone.” I squeezed her hand back, not wanting to let go of any part of her.

Not wanting this night to end. Especially if it was going to be one of our last.

26

SIMONE

Last night was weird.

Being with Harry again felt just like old times, when we’d fall into each other’s beds like it was nothing. But it’d also felt different, like there was something unspoken between us, something we were trying to express without saying a word.

There was a heaviness to everything that I hadn’t been expecting.

It didn’t help that we were technically still in a fight. He’d never fully apologized for accusing me of cheating with Jace. Which meant that despite our night together, I still needed to hold my ground.

I couldn’t let Harry just fuck me and assume I’d forgive him for anything.

Nope. No way.

I took a deep breath as I finished getting dressed for the day. I was wearing a jean dress I’d pulled out the back of my closet, its fabric ending at my knees. I wasn’t sure if jean dresses were back in fashion or still considered a no-no, but I wasn’t really in the mood to care.

With my mom’s surgery coming up soon, my nerves were way too shot to care about being fashionable.

“Harry?” I said his name like a question as I walked into the living room. I was confused since I spotted a large picnic basket and blanket laid out on a nearby table.

And then, something burned inside of me.

What the hell? Is Harry going out on a date?

After all the crap he gave me about cheating with Jace? After the night we’d just had?

“Harry?” I called his name again, now wanting answers. He needed to explain himself or else I was going to—

“Hey.” Harry suddenly greeted me with a warm smile. He was dressed down, just wearing a T-shirt and dark jeans. “There you are. I was just about to come find you.”

“Why? To let me know about your plans?” I scoffed. “I can’t believe you. Seriously. Have fun on your date—”

“Date?” Harry looked confused for a moment.

Then his face lit up with laughter. “Sorry. I just—yeah, I can see how you might think I’m going on a date. But no. I’m actually going on a picnic.”

“By yourself?”

“With you and Eileen,” he replied. “I thought it’d be something nice to do. Maybe help take your minds off her big surgery coming up.”

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