Page 48 of A Little Twist

“You can fill me in on how it goes tonight.”

We say goodbye and disconnect the phone, and I wrap my arms around my waist a moment. Piper’s face appears in the window, and when she sees I’m off the phone, she steps outside.

“Did you two get your stories straight?”

I’ve never lied to my friends, and I’m not sure how good of an actress I can be.

Straightening my shoulders, I channel Idina Menzel, who played Elphaba inWickedon Broadway… and Elsa inFrozen.

I push back my hair and smile. “Alex and I are engaged.”

“What?” Piper’s voice goes so high, if Edward were here, he’d howl. “It happened at the wedding reception, didn’t it? I knew you weren’t just talking in his office. And what’s this nanny thing? A cover?”

“Shh!” I put my hand up in front of her mouth. “We haven’t told Pinky. We don’t want her to be hurt if anything… changes.”

It comes out so smoothly, I’m clearly a natural-born liar.

“What the hell would change? Alex is hot as fuck, and while I wouldn’t have immediately put the two of you together, it makes perfect sense if you think about it.”

“It does?” I’m desperate to hear more.

“Of course! He’s so serious and professional and working all the time, and you’re…” My eyes narrow, and she links our arms. “You’re easygoing and fun and empathetic and hot. I’m glad to know he’s not blind. Plus you’re great with kids. When did this happen? While you were planning the wedding? Did you catch wedding fever?”

I’m not a fan of the comparison chart she just drew, and I’m onto her not-so-smooth redirection. But I can’t argue. I am a mess.

“Sort of.” I try to imagine how we might’ve decided to get married in a month. “We just sort of hit it off, and when he gave me the ring it was more of a promise of something more.”

She clasps her hands, blinking happily. “That’s so adorably old-fashioned—and so Alex. I’m sure that’s the spark. You’re both old souls. What’s his star sign?”

“Capricorn.”

“Ooh… Pisces and Capricorn. That’s a good match.” She smiles at me in a knowing way. “So I take it you’re not really his nanny?”

“No, I am. I mean, that’s the story we’re telling Pinky.” I feel like my actorly talents are faltering. “Just until we’re 100 percent sure this is going to work. Will you help me keep it a secret?”

“We have to tell Britt. She’ll never forgive us if we keep it from her.”

“No!” The pressure starts to build in my chest, and I wish Alex were here to jump in and help. Piper’s expression is total confusion, and I’m thinking fast. “I mean, if we tell Britt, we’ll have to tell Aiden, and then Owen will find out, and he might tell Pinky.”

Jesus, talk about weaving a tangled web!

My friend presses her lips together, then nods. “Okay. But we can’t keep it from her for too long or she’ll be pissed at us.”

“Just for now, and I’ll be sure she isn’t pissed at you.” I start to take the ring off my finger, but she stops me, tilting my hand side to side.

“It’s so beautiful!” Her voice thickens. “First Britt, now you. I’m going to be all alone before it’s over.”

“What? No, you’re not!” I throw my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. “I would never let you be alone.”

“Me and Ma and her ridiculous doomsday cellar.” She laughs, wiping a tear off her cheek.

It’s a punch to the gut.

I’m lying my ass off, and she’s getting a hundred percent emotionally invested.

I’m going to hell.

“Stop it, and stop crying! Nothing’s going to change.” My arm is around her shoulder, and her arm is around my waist as I turn us towards the house. “We’re going to take these kids swimming, and we’re not going to say a word about this to Adam or anybody. Okay?”

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