Fake Fiancé for Christmas

by Emily Bow

  Would it?

  “Why is that girl going to Harvard medical school in the fall? In Boston. A four-hour minimum flight away. I happen to know you haven’t told Chance that.” He said it in a gotcha fashion.

  Hah. Mr. Background Check’s facts were off. Whichever of my sorority sister’s he’d dated to get that nugget had led him wrong. “Nope. I didn’t even apply to Harvard.”

  “Don’t lie to me. We both know I’ll find out.”

  Heat flushed my cheeks at his tone, but the sensation wasn’t a guilty heat. It was a confused heat and an annoyed pressure because I was going to have to share my business with him. Which is probably what he was manipulating me to do all along. “This year’s Baylor med school notifications have come and gone, and I’ve heard nothing.” I made a big zero with my fingers. “Baylor is the only place I’ve applied. More fool me for being so cocky. Now I have to wait a year and start all over this summer casting a broader net.” I thought saying this aloud would hurt, but it was almost a relief. I was pivoting to a new plan.

  “You only applied to Harvard,” Nathan said.

  “Nope. Harvard? Prestigious? Incredibly. But as you said, four hours away from my family. In an expensive city.” I touched my red scarf with my gloved hand and indicated my peacoat. “It’s what, forty degrees? I’m freezing.” I laughed. “I would never pick a school in Boston.”

  “Now, you’ve intrigued and confused me. Because, I believe you.” Nathan said the words slowly, almost like a reward. “And if you’re lying to my face, and I can’t detect it, you’re terrifying.” Nathan shoved his hands in his jacket and stared hard at me.

  I checked my phone. “You have about three minutes before I run up to the second floor. Show me your special proof because I’m not a lying psychopath.”

  Nathan tightened his lips like he wanted to refuse then tilted his chin and pulled out his phone. He scanned to a page and showed me the screen.

  The image showed a Harvard university admittance portal with my name and an acceptance. My ego danced, because I’d heard nothing from my school of choice, but this was extremely weird. I had not applied to Harvard. And how had Nathan logged in as me?

  Nathan hit another page and pulled up an essay, and I recognized the words.

  I covered my mouth and took his phone from him. “I wrote this. But I wrote this for Baylor. See, Arabella helped me throw in some green metaphors so I’d make them subconsciously connect me with their school colors. Why else would I use the word verdant? I wouldn’t have sent that to Harvard. They’re crimson.”

  We stared at each other.

  “Can you dig deeper and find out who sent my application to Harvard?” I looked away and then back. “I only know one computer science major in our house. And she’d never do this.” My voice dwindled, and I flushed harder. “I know it’s arrogant but I should have been accepted. Will you see what happened with my Baylor application?” I pressed my fingers to my temples. This guy was no friend of mine to ask favors from. He’d already been incredibly intrusive. “Never mind. I’ll call them on my own.”

  I turned away from him and jogged up to class, my mind spinning as I took my seat, and I was completely unable to focus on the slope of a curve.

  ***

  Yesterday, Chance had texted me. “Wear the white dress tomorrow evening for me. I want to take you somewhere.”

  My heart had jumped in a very real way, and I wasn’t sure what to do with my in too deep feelings, but I had been too hopeful to refuse him. Which was why I was now sitting in Chance’s car, in the beautiful, shimmering white dress and wishing for more.

  When we reached a fancy restaurant in town, I saw more than one couple heading inside carrying a white wrapped present, and my heart stilled. “We’re going to an engagement party?”

  “Yep. A surprise one. Evidently, Madison kicked up a fuss when she was told there wouldn’t be time to throw one, so Mom put this together.”

  My mood deflated further, and I sagged against the leather seat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “When I messaged you about the bridal shower Sunday, you got cold feet. It was like the start of big bouquet rose week all over again.” He sounded disgruntled.

  He got out and handed the keys to the valet and came around to my side of the car.

  This wasn’t the same. I’d backed away from him that week so he’d understand I wasn’t going to be used to stick it to Madison anymore. I’d never agreed to that. I’d agreed to help save him from the matchmakers only.

  Chance opened my car door and held out his hand to help me out.

  I let him pull me up. Gorgeous fitted dresses and stilettoes hampered independence, and so did crushes. “Guys aren’t at bridal showers like the one your mom is throwing for Madison. Why would you need me to protect you from matchmaking attempts at a bridal shower you don’t have to go to?”

  Chance shrugged and didn’t let go of my hand as we walked up to the entrance. “All I know is I’ve got you here now.”

  I was so weak. I left my fingers in his, while still putting up a verbal protest. “Chance, this is your brother’s day, and Madison’s. I don’t want to do anything like we did at the bridal shop to one up them.” I hadn’t been proud of how the boutique went down. I didn’t like doing things that made my insides feel icky. I glanced down at my designer dress. “You don’t wear a white cocktail dress to an engagement celebration unless you’re the bride.”

  “You look lovely.” His voice was deep and sincere.

  The hostess held the door open and Chance asked where to find the Kentwell party. She pointed to a side room toward the back.

  The restaurant was a high end, crystal chandelier, small gourmet dishes kind of place with a subtle, white table-clothed décor. As soon as we were a few steps from the staff, I stopped. “Chance. Look. I’m being straight with you. I’m not cool with you using me to provoke Madison. Not anymore.”

  Chance shook his head. “You worry too much.”

  “Maybe you should go alone. I can get a ride back.” I was offering him an out for our date. I didn’t know why. I enjoyed being around him. When I’d seen him in our foyer, there was nowhere I’d rather be. There. That was the reason. I needed to ease away from this situation because I needed to protect myself.

  “If this event has to go on, I need you to attend.” He tugged me forward. “Can we not talk about my brother and his fiancée?”

  “I doubt it, we’re at their engagement party. Is your mother going to be here with ten nubile potential brides for you?”

  “No, she’s really pleased we’re dating. She loves everything she’s heard about you.” Chance paused by a large-leafed fig plant and tugged me closer. “Tell me something less than perfect about you.”

  Weird request. “Something odd happened with my med school applications. I didn’t catch it. I sat around for months waiting for Baylor to contact me.” I shook my head and looked away until Chance put his fingertips on my chin and turned me back to him. “Nothing. I called. They said I never applied. So now I have a whole year before I can apply again. It’s a pretty big screw-up, right? Me not following up on it. Not applying to backup schools.” While my tone was rueful, I let him see the emotion in my eyes.

  “Tell me about the process,” he said. “How could that happen? I’ll make a call.”

  I loved that he wanted to fix my mistake, but he couldn’t. “I’m handling Baylor.” I squeezed his hand. “Let’s go surprise the loving couple.”

  Chance hesitated as if wanting to talk to me more, but another couple rushed by us carrying a white-wrapped gift. He nodded. We entered the hotel dining room under an arch of heart-shaped balloons.

  Chance’s mom rushed over to us. She shoved a red cardboard sign shaped like an “S” into my hands and a cardboard cutout of a “U” into his. She hugged Chance. “You’re just in time.”

  Chance introduced me to his mother, and we lined up with his family to spell ou
t the word “surprise.” The order went me, Chance, Nathan, Logan, Easton, his dad, his mom, and the older lady from the convention center who had to be his grandma. She beamed in a pale rose cocktail dress and hugged the letter “E.” Additional invited guests were in an informal grouping behind us.

  A photographer knelt in front of us and I blinked against the flash.

  I was going to be in their very important family photo. Me. The fake girlfriend.

  Was Chance seeing any problem with this? He didn’t appear to be; he was chatting away with his dark-haired brother, Nathan.

  Zoe, one of my sorority sisters, stood behind me. One of the invited guests without a letter. “Holly, why are you wearing white?” Zoe asked the obvious. She wore a divine sapphire flapper-style dress. “I’m mean it’s gorgeous, but…you know Madison.”

  I made big eyes at her. “I didn’t realize we were coming to an engagement party.”

  Zoe shaped her lips into a moue of sympathy.

  The room held about fifty people and a table full of presents book-ended with bouquets of fragrant red roses. The packages on the table ranged from small to ottoman sized. All were wrapped in white and silver wedding paper. And it hit me. I touched Chance’s elbow. “Chance, I don’t have a gift.”

  “I’ll put your name on my card.”

  On the Dublin house? I put my hand on my hip. “Obviously not, that’s a bit above my budget.”

  Chance smiled. He looked pleased, as if he were on board with supporting the wedding. I guess Madison had enough charm and talents that outweighed her flaws for him. I’d never want her marrying into my family. But that was the thing. People got to pick their own spouses. The rest of us should stay out of it. I believed that. But I hadn’t been acting like I did.

  “We could end this now, you know.” I lowered my voice so the people behind us wouldn’t hear me. “After this event. Say we’re friends.”

  Chance frowned. “Absolutely not.” He didn’t use his quiet voice.

  I cupped my hand over my mouth and spoke against his ear. “We’re lying to your loved ones.”

  Chance put his forehead to mine a moment. Then he put his mouth to my ear, copying me. “I need you to stop feeling guilty. I’ve got this handled. I need you to not leave. I need you here.”

  My heart cracked open to him.

  “Chance.” I met his Christmas green eyes.

  Chance stole a quick surprising kiss, sending a pleased flutter through me.

  The photographer snapped a photo. A romantic song clicked on the speakers, and the photographer clapped his hands. “They’re here. That’s our signal. Positions.”

  Our group grew quiet, except for a few hushed whispers, a “they’re coming,” and a “Shhh.”

  I held up my “S”.

  Madison arrived in a sophisticated off-white dress, hair in a complicated updo, on the arm of her fiancé. Tyler wore a dark grey suit with a cream tie. They crossed the threshold.

  I yelled, “Surprise,” with the rest of the guests while white and silver confetti and curlicue ribbons rained from the ceiling, and the photographer flashed more photos.

  Madison put her hands to her lips, and Tyler hurried forward to hug his family.

  The event progressed, and the engaged couple sat in throne chairs sipping champagne and looked gorgeous together as everyone took turns greeting them and wishing them well.

  The photographer separated out the Kentwell family and did one shot of the five brothers. They were all handsome, but Chance with his green tie and dark gray suit was the one who made my heart lift.

  After this, I was going to have to tell him that my feelings had changed. That I no longer felt friendly and fake. My face heated. How would he take it?

  Best hope, he’d take me in his arms, and we’d have our first real moment as a couple. We’d spend the holiday together. He’d meet my family. I’d re-meet his with honest intentions. And that would lead into my best semester here yet. Spring events with Chance on my arm and in my heart. Lovely.

  My insides alternated between terror and thrill as I pondered the possibilities and did my best to enjoy the event. The party was a mishmash of appetizers, drinks, and music. I moved to the bar for a champagne refill, and Logan stepped in line beside me. “My glucose runs have had interesting spikes.”

  I had no idea what he was talking about. I smiled. “I look forward to hearing about it.”

  “You can come by my lab next week and see, if you like.”

  “I would like that.”

  The bartender filled my glass, and I stood to the side while the bartender got Logan’s drink. Logan gave me a hunted look. “My mother will be around soon. She knows when I try to talk science at a social event.” He tilted his head at me. “How does she know?”

  I couldn’t help but grin at his handsome hopeless look. “I suppose it’s because she knows you.”

  “There you are. Darling.” Mrs. Kentwell showed up and hooked her arm around Logan’s.

  Logan and I shared a smile.

  “May I get you a drink, Mother?”

  Mrs. Kentwell shook her head. “I’m good, dear. But there are some lovely, single young ladies I invited to meet you. So no sneaking off to your lab.” She winked at me. “Holly will excuse us.”

  Logan patted his mother’s arm. “You usually indulge me.”

  Mrs. Kentwell shook her head. “Not tonight, dear. It’s your brother’s engagement party. Be present.”

  Logan gave me a tortured look over his shoulder.

  I chuckled as they walked off.

  Easton moved beside me, immediately recognizable due to his height. “Chance looks happy.”

  Chance stood talking to Nathan, but every few minutes, he looked around to find me.

  I smiled and the warm glow of possibility spread inside me. “I hope so.” I was happy and nervous.

  “He looks happier than Tyler.”

  “A wedding is a lot of pressure.”

  Easton handed me an envelope. “Tickets to our team’s New Year’s bash.”

  “Oh.” Thanks. I searched his eyes. Did he know I wouldn’t be with Chance for New Years? Did he think I would? Anxiety stirred through me.

  “Relax, Holly. The card’s simply an invitation.” Easton patted my shoulder with his big hand and moved away, and I realized the gesture was his stamp of approval.

  Nice. I put the envelope in my handbag.

  Easton joined his brothers. I hadn’t spoken to Nathan yet, and didn’t want to go up to the trio. Because Nathan had been the one to point out my med school error. Something I’d worked years toward, spent countless hours on, planned so thoroughly, and then I’d let an online hiccup mess up my goal.

  Chance held out his fist for Easton and Nathan to bump. Nathan spread his fingers wide in fallout, making a cute blowup gesture.

  Funny.

  I hadn’t thought Nathan had a playful side. Zoe moved to stand near him. I tilted my head and analyzed how they stood in relation to each other. I didn’t see it.

  Chance strolled to the middle of the room. “Excuse me, everybody. It is with my brother’s permission that I throw another yule log on our family’s celebratory fire.” He took an envelope-sized narrow box from the gift table and moved to the center of the room. The guests adjusted their positions, so they all faced him. “I want to share my joy with those I love the most.”

  What was he doing?

  People were murmuring, pleased positive noises.

  Chance looked at me. “Holly?”

  What the hell?

  Zoe moved to my side and took my champagne glass away. She gave me a nudge.

  I walked toward Chance with a faltering smile.

  Chance winked at me. He rolled the box between his palms.

  I tilted my head.

  Chance knelt down on one knee.

  OMG. Heat flushed my face hard like the yule log had hit me in the temple, and I was seeing the star th
at led the three wise men to sweet baby Jesus.

  Chance flipped open the lid. An enormous emerald cut diamond ring set in a gold band sparkled up at me.

  Chapter 20.

  Chance was proposing to me? My heart pounded in my chest like this moment was the hundredth hour of a hundred-hour race.

  Yes.

  OMG.

  No.

  The rock was huge, bigger than Madison’s diamond. I snuck a glance over at the real bride-to-be. Her face was pinched and her eyes were narrowed on her own diamond. Chance was upping the ante and proposing to me as one of his tests. The heat fled from my face.

  This was about Madison, not me. And the worst part?

  For a tenth of a second, I’d thought the proposal was real.

  I looked into Chance’s devious green eyes. For a heartbeat I had thought to say yes. To marry him. My knees and my reality were shaking.

  This had gone so far beyond a game to me.

  And worse than the worst part? Chance had hooked the engagement ring on a candy cane. Candy canes, our inside joke.

  I had allowed my heart to jolt over something fake. Why hadn’t he warned me? Because he knew I wouldn’t do this. Get engaged at someone else’s engagement party. OMG.

  I looked at the crowd of shining faces. At least ten people had their phones out right now filming us. Did he think my parents didn’t have Internet access?

  I wanted to turn and leave, but I couldn’t get my stilettos to move. I was glued to the spot with so many conflicting emotions I couldn’t name them.

  Chance said, “Don’t leave me hanging.”

  Back out. Back away. Stop this. “I haven’t heard a question.” I barely kept the edge out of my voice.

  Christmas songs played in the background. This was so unfair. This was my first proposal, and he’d stolen this moment from me with a fake one.

  Now, when I compared any other proposal after this, I’d be comparing that moment to this one. To the well dressed, glowing crowd. To Christmas sparkling in the air. To a ginormous rock winking at me from the palm of the most handsome guy I’d ever seen kneeling before me. Chance was ruining me. My lungs tightened and my brain grew dizzy.