Page 125 of The Temporary Fiancée
Even as I say it, some part of me wonders why that is. I mean, it’s pretty obvious on the surface—it’s a sham wedding. It’s not actually going to happen, so there’s nothing to anticipate.
But I can’t help but wonder—would I be nervous if it was real? If these preparations were all genuine, all leading up to some grand event that would shape my future so thoroughly…?
No.I don’t think I would be.
I don’t think I could ever be.
“How have you been, by the way?” Declan asks, shifting to face Shane. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.”
Declan and Cole know Shane, but only because he’s my brother. They haven’t gotten the chance to spend much time with him, mostly because he and I haven’t hung out a lot as adults.
“I don’t think I’veeverseen you,” Noah adds. He reaches a hand out to shake Shane’s. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Shane says, nodding at him. “Yeah, I haven’t really gone out much recently. His usual scene—” he gestures over at me—”isn’t really my scene.”
“His usual scene isnobody’sscene,” Cole grouses.
“It’s nice that we get to see more of you, what with the wedding events and all,” Declan says to Shane. “We need someone around who can take Reed down a peg.”
“Oh, that’s true,” Cole says, brightening. “Hey—you got any embarrassing stories about Reed? Anything from when you guys were kids?”
“Oh, about a million and a half.” Shane pauses to sip his whiskey, smiling to himself, then continues, “He just can’t stop embarrassing himself, to be honest.”
Making fun of me is one of Declan and Cole’s favorite pastimes, so I never interrupt them once they get going. I just sit back and smile; it’s pretty rare that anyone actually gets under my skin.
Shane starts counting on his fingers like he’s sorting through stories in his head. “I could tell you guys about the time he fell off our uncle’s boat. Or the time he thought he could change a flat tire on his own when he was sixteen. Or the time he got caught in my father’s office with?—”
“They don’t need to hear about that one,” I interrupt quickly.
“Sounds like a wealth of information,” Declan says, grinning broadly. “Where to begin?”
“Well, I’m saving all the best ones for my fake engagement party toasts.” Shane takes a quick puff from his cigar, the tip glowing orange.
“Of course, of course.”
I top off my whiskey and breathe in deeply, relaxing in the haze of cigar smoke and friendly banter. I’m surprised by how well Shane fits in with the group—and surprised to find myself enjoying his company.
It’s been a while since I’ve spent time with Shane outside of work, and away from the negative influence of the rest of my family. I’d almost forgotten what he was like in a social setting: laid back, quieter than most, but with a wry, biting sense of humor.
The conversation flows easily. The embarrassing stories about me last for at least an hour, though it’s nothing tooterrible. After that, the guys move on to different topics, like Cole’s upcoming wedding.
As he explains something about the venue, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s a text from Olivia.
OLIVIA: How’s your night going? *smiley face emoji*
ME: Not bad. How was dinner? You guys still there?
OLIVIA: No, we left a while ago
OLIVIA: Went out to a bar
ME: Sounds fun. Having a good night?
OLIVIA: We’re having a lot of fun but
OLIVIA: We got catcalled outside, and then some assholes were trying to hit on us.
For an instant, as I read her message, my blood pressure spikes. Jealousy flares in me, hot and ready, and I have to take a second before I can respond.
