Page 92 of Don't Fall in Love

My cheeks heat at Ben’s words as I reply with a chuckle, “I wish I’d never told you that.”

Ben smirks, stepping in front of me, blocking my view of the courthouse, as he fixes the short veil we picked up in a bridal store during our shopping trip last weekend. God, I love my friends. I shouldn't be nervous. After all, it’s just a bunch of photos, but I am. I’m glad they’ve all come to support me on my fake wedding day.

Meghan grabs my hand and directs me away from the others to stand next to a pillar as we wait for the photographer to arrive. Concern coats her face.

“Just say the word and I’ll have you in a cab away from here,Sex and the Citystyle.”

I pick up her hand and hold it in mine, a smirk gracing my lips. “Thank you, but it really isn’t necessary. It’s not like this is a real wedding…”

“I know, I know. It’s just some photos.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I know you have feelings for him, Alex. I’ve known you since we were five-years-old. I know when you’re in love. I just don’t want you to do something that could break you. Even something as simple as taking some fake wedding photos.”

I should have known I couldn’t hideeverythingfrom her. She’s been with me through all stages of my life.

My eyes drop to the soft petals of the bouquet in my hand, searching for the right words to admit out loud for the first time, just what I’ve gotten myself into. The more time I spent with him, the less I seemed to dislike him, until somehow I needed him like water to survive. My eyes sting with the burn of tears, because no matter how good it’s been, itwillend someday. He’s not a forever kind of person, no matter how much his actions keep proving otherwise.

“You’re right.” My voice cracks and I clear my throat as I lift my chin. “I have fallen for him.”

“What do you want to do?”

What Ineedto do and what Iwantto do are two very different things. I need to go through with this because I gave my word. He paid off my student loans, and Sebastian has a lot riding on us pulling this off. What I want to do is call this all off and ask him to makemehis exception. To give us a chance at beingreal.

The lines have blurred too much and I don’t know what’s real and what’s fake anymore. I don’t wantanyof it to be fake.

“Megs, I’d do anything for him. Just like you would for Cooper. When you love someone, you’d help them bury the body. This is basically like that. Just without the body. I’m going to do it. When it’s over I’ll walk away, because he’s been nothing but clear with me about his view on us being more. It’ll hurt like hell but I’ll do it. I’ll walk away.”

This is the only choice I have, unless I want to burn everything he’s worked so hard for down to the ground. Having him hate me for doing that would be unbearable.

“Damn straight you will. And you’ll have the three of us right there for you to lean on.”

Meghan pulls me in for a hug as Savannah and Ben join us.

Right on cue, Sebastian, Cooper, and Noah arrive from arranging things at the next venue.

It’s showtime.

Savannah pulls me in for a hug, whispering in my ear as she kisses my cheek, “When all of this is over, we are going to find you a man that has twenty-twenty vision and can see the amazing woman that’s right under his fucking nose.”

I can’t help the laugh that falls from my lips.

Similar words come from both Meghan and Ben, and for a moment I let myself believe in happily ever after without Sebastian.

Sebastian hangs back as our friends disperse, leaving the two of us to talk. I watch Meghan and Cooper for a moment as Cooper strokes his hand over her round stomach, dropping a kiss on her forehead as he tucks her under his arm. One day Iwillhave that. I’d want nothing more than to have it with the man standing next to me but I have to be realistic. A heavy sigh leaves me as I look away from them.

“You look beautiful, princess,” Sebastian murmurs as he dips his head to kiss my cheek, before pulling away.

I drag my teeth over my bottom lip, as with a wink I say, “Don’t worry, you can mess me up later.”

He huffs out a laugh as if my words are unexpected. “Fuck, princess. I can’t fucking wait.”

Sebastian is wearing a royal blue three piece suit with a matching bow tie. The color matches my shoes and the dresses Meghan and Savannah are wearing. If this was an actual wedding, it would beverycoordinated.

“Did you know we were going to match?” I ask, running my hand over the lapel of his jacket.

Sebastian chuckles as he snakes his arm around my waist and tugs me into his side. “I didn’t. Does that mean it’s meant to be?”

Seeing that the photographer, Lucy, has arrived, I take a step away from him, breaking the hold he has on me. With a roll of my eyes, I state, “Not at all. You, my dearfakehusband, could only ever wish to land a hottie like me.” I tap a finger into the center of his chest as I spin away from him, a mischievous smirk on my lips. “Shall we get this over with?”

I don’t bother waiting for his answer as I walk over to Lucy, his chuckle following me as I go. “Hi, Lucy. Thank you so much for doing this on such short notice. Where would you like us first?”

---