Page 25 of A Little Bit Engaged
Eating out was the perfect respite after meeting with the wedding planner. He hadn’t minded talking about a marriage ceremony and the reception that would follow, even if a wedding day would never happen. Playing Cara’s fiancé was more fun than he thought it would be. He could get into this role. Too bad she hadn’t seemed to enjoy the experience as much as he had. She hadn’t smiled once since leaving the Bay View House, but at least she didn’t seem as tense.
He noticed Cara’s plate was still full. “You haven’t eaten much.”
Using a fork, she picked at the fillings inside her fish taco. “I’m not really hungry.”
That wasn’t like her at all. She loved going out to eat. Mexican and Italian were her favorites. At least they had been when she lived in Los Angeles. Three years wouldn’t have changed her taste buds.
It had to be the wedding talk and planning. Not eating was only one sign. The lines around her mouth had faded, but her complexion was paler than normal and her gaze bounced all over the place. He hated seeing her this way, but there wasn’t the luxury of slowing down to let her adjust at a more comfortable pace.
“I’m sorry for pushing you about the wedding plans, but we’re pressed for time.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” She glanced up from her plate. “I agreed to pretend. We’re in this together.”
She had, and they were. “Good call with the picnic theme.”
The corners of her mouth edged up. Not much of a smile, but he’d take it.
“I was trying to think of something easy that could be planned without too much effort on Sariah’s part.” Cara set her fork on the plate. “Though isn’t a ‘couple of weeks’ too soon for a wedding date?”
“If this were a real wedding, yes. But with the interview airing on Thursday and Caitlin’s film opening on Friday, we need everything in place before that so we can leak info as needed. After box office numbers are released, we can decide what to do next.”
“If we cancel the wedding right after the film’s premiere, won’t people think this is a publicity stunt?”
He added more hot sauce to his taco. “People will think that no matter the timing. We’ll come off looking better if they call it a publicity stunt.”
Cara shredded one edge of her napkin into lopsided fringe. “Sariah is nice. She seemed excited about the picnic theme. I hate that we’re using her this way.”
He raised his water glass. “Sariah Foley is a professional wedding planner. We won’t be the first couple to cancel. She’ll understand. They’ll get their money and then some.”
By the time the fake engagement ended, he’d be out a hundred grand, maybe more, but the money would be well spent. Friendship didn’t come with a price tag, even if the end of this ruse would result in him setting new boundaries with one of those friends.
“No one is going to suffer a hardship or get hurt,” he added. “Promise.”
Something flashed in Cara’s eyes but then disappeared. She still didn’t appear convinced.
Reaching across the table, he covered her hand with his. “You’re cold.”
“Just tired.” Her voice was soft. “My nerves are shot.”
He appreciated her honesty. Caitlin usually said fine, which was a clue something was wrong. He rubbed the top of Cara’s hand. “Let’s swing by the store on the way home. Grab a six-pack of beer and snacks. We can binge watch Netflix or put together one of those impossible jigsaw puzzles you love.”
“We’re supposed to look at invitations tonight.”
Always the good girl. He forced himself not to laugh. “Let Loki pick one for us so we can do what we want.”
She opened her mouth but then closed it. “Why not? He has as much invested in this wedding as we do.”
That was more like it. Brody grinned. Maybe she was getting into the spirit of fake wedding planning. “That’s my Cara.”
She pulled her hand from beneath his and ate a tortilla chip.
Bummer. He enjoyed holding her hand. Something he rarely did with any woman because of Caitlin. He had to be conscious of his every action because someone was always watching him, and no matter where he was, he had to keep up the pretense of being in love with Caitlin. He’d been counting down the months until they could stop lying. Knowing that would happen sooner than January filled him with relief.
Cara wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I’m yours only as long as this ring is on my finger. After that, you’ll have to find someone else.”
She definitely wasn’t as stressed as she’d been. Knowing that pleased him. “There is no one else like you.”
Cara brightened. “I know, but that’s something you’ll have to live with. I’m sure you’ll survive.”
