Fake Fiancé for Christmas

by Emily Bow

  Chance reached me. His gaze was intent.

  A beautiful duet came on overhead. I looked up as if I could see the music notes. “We should dance.” My voice held excited enthusiasm and intoxication.

  Chance took me in his arms and guided me toward the small dance floor. And then we were together. Our bodies brushed as the rhythms moved us against each other and apart. The moment was beautiful. Sparkling lights, flowing pop music, Chance. His strong arms around me, holding me as if he’d never let go.

  “You don’t seem as mad at me,” Chance said, bemused teasing in his voice.

  “Vodka may be inhibiting my brain cells,” I said carefully, fully aware he could probably tell I was past tipsy. “It’s lovely.”

  Chance laughed.

  “I’ll be mad at you tomorrow.”

  “But not tonight?”

  I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “Not tonight. I want to enjoy one more night together.” I leaned my head back and held my arms out as if I were flying. “And dance with you.”

  Chance’s arms tensed on my waist, and he stopped dancing. “December’s not over. This doesn’t have to be our last night.”

  “It really, really does.” I straightened, feeling more present. “Because I'm falling for you.”

  Chance stilled, but he didn’t let me go.

  I waggled my finger. “And that's not part of our arrangement.” I thought I’d feel nauseous, and my hands would shake saying those words, but the sheer honesty of my emotions…and the vodka kept me steady. I drew in a breath. “Now, you have to kiss me goodbye, and make the kiss a good one.”

  “Holly.” Zoe threw her arms between us, interrupting our epic goodbye.

  “Zoe.” I drew out her name, which was really funny to me. “Zoe. Your name’s only three letters, why is it taking me so long to say?” I bent forward, laughing.

  Zoe covered her lips. “I told Nathan we’d be partying here.”

  My shoulders relaxed. I wasn’t the only one telling Nathan where we were. Wasn’t he the little spymaster with all his little spies? “I did too.”

  “I thought he didn’t want to see me anymore. He went out with Lillian and Ursula too. Why is he here?” She put her hands on her hips. “Who’s he here for?”

  There were whispers and increased voices, and a new energy buzzed the room. I spun, stumbled, and righted myself with Chance’s hand on my back. What was going on? Tyler was weaving through the crowd.

  Tyler moved forward, passing us, going toward the back room.

  My sorority sisters parted for Tyler, weirdly, purposefully, like they were the red sea.

  I got behind him, trailing in his wake along the wide expanse my sorority sisters were creating. They were providing a trail to the back room. Nothing was back there but pool tables.

  Tyler stopped abruptly and swayed on his feet, making me bump into him. Then there was Bitsie. I shook my head at her. Bitsie should not hit on Tyler at his fiancé’s bachelorette party. There were rules. That rule may not be written in the rulebook, but it was at least an unspoken rule.

  Chance bit out a curse.

  Arabella shoved into me from behind. “What?”

  I popped my head back up. “I don’t know.”

  Ahead of us, Madison sat on the pool table, her veil askew. The bartender’s hands were busy under her white skirt.

  Oh.

  Madison’s own hands were exploring the front of her ex’s unzipped trousers, from the personal side of the zipper.

  I shut my eyes, and only heard my heartbeat and a few gasps from my sorority sisters. “I don’t want to see that.”

  “Tyler. What are you doing here?” Madison slurred her words. We were all a bit pink vodka plastered.

  Tyler swayed and said nothing.

  Madison’s gaze flew to me. Her hands were free of the bartender, and he backed away and zipped up. “What is this Holly? Payback?”

  Why was she asking me? I shook my head.

  “You told Tyler, didn’t you? You set me up.” Madison strode toward us. She pointed her French manicured finger at me. “Why am I not surprised you did this to me?”

  OMG she was wearing her ring. That diamond had been down the pants of another man. No wonder the girl got to keep her engagement ring when the groom-to-be dumped her. I inappropriately laughed and covered my mouth.

  Rage crossed over Madison’s face, and the emotion shut me up.

  Chance motioned to Nathan, who went up to Madison and said something to her in a low voice we couldn’t hear. Chance took my hand. “Come with me.”

  I followed Chance back to the front exit like a drunk, but quickly sobering duckling.

  My sorority sisters parted for us again, and now that we weren’t blocking the entrance to the back room, several rushed to Madison’s aid.

  Outside, the cold air braced me, and I knew my jacket was back inside, but I didn’t care.

  Chance opened the door to a large limo, and we got inside, even though there were no verbal instructions for me to get in. It simply seemed obvious that the party was over.

  Easton, Tyler, and Nathan got in too.

  The inside limo lighting switched colors, and pop songs played through the speakers. My shoulders wanted to shake, but I held the beat inside. My drunken party mind was having trouble piecing together how to act in this situation.

  Tyler had said nothing, which made me wonder if he realized what had happened. The urge to ask him bubbled through me, but I knew it was the vodka-lemonade wanting to know. I resisted by opening my eyes big.

  The stretch limo easily would have fit fifteen people even with Logan stretched out on one of the long seats. “Is he okay?” My words came out thickly. “Why is he lying there?”

  Easton flopped down on the carpeted floor by Logan’s head and scooted back so he was leaning against the driver’s separation panel. He gave him a brotherly slap on the cheek, making Logan grunt. “Think so. His blood alcohol levels exceeded his expectations.”

  That made me giggle.

  “He’s a lightweight,” Nathan bit out.

  And the car was in motion.

  Chance touched my hand. “I think we should go back to my place.”

  Normally, a girl knew how to answer such a question. I looked at him. Was he not scared of my earlier declaration? Was he into me too? Or did he want to fight in private? My head spun and I didn’t know the answer. I wished I’d had one less drink so I could put my finger on it.

  “Agreed,” Nathan said. “Let Madison calm down before Holly goes back to their house.”

  “Madison.” Tyler groaned and bent forward at the waist.

  I inched my shoes away in case his inner pain was about to express itself as outer vomit all over my favorite black stilettos.

  The limo pulled up to the high rise and we all got out. We took the elevator up and Chance opened the door to his large living room, which I hadn’t realized served as a common room for multiple apartments.

  Chance looked at me and lowered his voice. “May we talk in private?”

  Chapter 24.

  How was he sober? He’d been at a bachelor party, before he crashed our bar.

  “Holly?”

  One side of my mouth quirked down as I recognized he didn’t have a loving tone in his voice.

  I nodded.

  I followed Chance into his bedroom, and he shut the door behind us. He moved over to the window and looked out. “I knew something was wrong with Madison. I knew there was something not right between Madison and Tyler. But I didn’t expect this.”

  Here we go. Truth’s out there. “The bartender’s her ex.” I tilted my head and checked out his king-sized bed. No wonder our sorority always got such heavy pours. Stupid random thought.

  “How long have you known?” Chance’s voice was deep and beautiful, but cold too.

  I didn’t want to admit the answer. I pursed my lips and pushed down my desire to evade. �
��I’ve always known.”

  Chance grew still. His fists clenched.

  I didn’t fear him. I hurt for him. “I’m sorry.”

  “And you said nothing to me?”

  I leaned my palm on the end of his mattress, and as I sank down, I did a quick sidestep to maintain my balance. “When your friends cheat on their girlfriends, you keep their secrets. Don’t you?”

  “When my friends cheat on their girlfriends they aren’t my friends anymore. Cheats aren’t people I want in my life.”

  I tilted my head. I’d never heard a guy say such a thing. “I love that.”

  “Tyler’s my brother. Not some guy. This was a wedding. Not a mixer. I can’t believe you said nothing. How far were you going to let this go? The rehearsal? The wedding itself?”

  “I don’t know what to say. I’ve been with these girls since day one of freshman year. We keep each other’s confidence. We don’t badmouth each other.” I was reciting freshman core beliefs that I didn’t know if I fully embraced any longer.

  “Okay. But you’re not eighteen. You’re twenty-one. Is this a code you’re sticking with for life?”

  “I’m re-evaluating.” I pressed my hands to the sides of my face and wished we were having this conversation when I was sober so I could hold my own. “You’re my new friend. You’re my fake boyfriend. My fake fiancé. My ex-fake fiancé. You’re saying I should have put you first. Before my sister for years. Honestly, it’s not Madison.” I threw my arm out and sliced through the air. “I haven’t gotten along with Madison since week one and really blew that up when I ran for president. That’s not the issue.” My voice softened. “The issue is the sorority code. And I think you’re right. I think there’s a point where you follow the rules, and then there’s a point where you examine each and give your loyalty to something higher.” Even drunk me knew that much. I shoved up and moved toward him. “Before I finish what I’m saying, I need an answer to what I told you when we were dancing.”

  Chance backed up a step.

  I closed my eyes briefly. His body had given me his answer.

  “I’m angry,” Chance said. “I just saw my brother’s fiancée with her hands down some guy’s pants. And you knew. That’s all I can think about right now.”

  “Her hands down the guy’s pants?”

  “The fact that you knew,” he bit out.

  “I don’t know them. For all I knew that’s how Tyler rolled.” Did we really have to do this while my mind was spinning? I stumbled away to go find a guest room and paused at the door. My hand heavy on the door handle. I looked back over my shoulder. “In answer to your question. When would my allegiance switch to you? When would you come first? When we’re real.”

  ***

  There was a clattering noise coming from outside my door. Morning had arrived. I blinked at my phone and yawned. We went to bed about 2AM and the clock read 8AM. Who brewed fresh hell at this hour?

  I took a shower in the guest bath, using the faintly masculine scented soap, shampoo, and conditioner, and brushed out my hair with the little brush in my handbag. I had no help for my clothes. I slid on the pink going-out dress I’d worn last night. The silk dress in no way resembled a day dress, was fairly crumpled, and smelled of lemonade and last night’s perfume.

  I emerged from the guest room sober, dry-mouthed, and somber.

  An older lady emerged from the kitchen, the one I suspected must be the Kentwell Grandma. “Remember me? I’m Gran.” She waved her spatula. “I’m making waffles.”

  Ah. “I’m Holly.” I stepped forward and stopped, actively feeling the loss of a ring on my ring finger. Gran had watched me get engaged with her ring.

  Saying nothing more, I darted toward Chance’s room, tapped on his door, and slipped inside.

  Chance lay on his stomach, his arms over his pillow. The faintest hint of his cologne hung in the air, marking this as a guy’s room. I knelt by the head of his bed. I gently brushed his dark hair from his face.

  So handsome.

  Chapter 25.

  Chance caught my wrist in his hand. He opened his eyes, and his grip eased. “Holly.” His voice was early morning husky.

  “Your grandma’s out there making waffles.”

  “Sounds like Gran.” Chance rubbed at his jaw. He needed to shave. He sat up and the sheet pooled in his lap. His body was honed like an athlete’s but wasn’t bulked up. He was lean and tan and ripped in a way that made my fingertips tingle.

  Chance bent his knees and rested his arm on them. He reached over and pulled something from his nightstand.

  The diamond ring.

  Chance held the ring out on his palm. “The news of Tyler’s engagement going bust will be enough for her to handle this morning. Will you wear this for one more day?”

  I looked down. Unreasonable hurt sank through me. I wanted him to throw his arms around me. To pull me into his bed. To offer me the ring for real. He was asking a favor instead. At least he was asking this time.

  He had to know I couldn’t refuse him. I held out my left hand.

  ***

  We had a weird breakfast where no one spoke of the night before, most of the attendees were hungover, and all of us did our best to make the Kentwell Grandma happy.

  On the upside, the waffles were delicious.

  After we’d eaten, Chance escorted me downstairs to a limo to return me to the sorority house. “Thanks for this morning.”

  I slipped his ring off and pressed the symbol of our commitment into his palm. “Wish me luck facing Madison.”

  Chance drew me to him for a hug. I enjoyed his warmth and the comfort of him, and then slipped away.

  The limo drove me to the sorority house.

  Madison stood inside the front door wearing our sorority’s winter t-shirt, black jeans, and ballet flats—waiting. “Holly.”

  I mumbled a greeting and went around her to go upstairs.

  “A moment?”

  I stopped.

  “Where’s your ring?” she asked.

  Where’s yours? I blinked. I didn’t want to be snide or to lie anymore. “I was helping Chance enjoy the season without matchmaking. That’s over.” I shoved a strand of my wet hair off my cheek. “If you don’t mind, I need to go dry my hair, change, study, and sleep. Not in that order.”

  “There’s so much I can say. But I’ll keep my words simple.” Madison held out her palm. “Key.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I need your house key.” Madison spoke slowly. “And your infinity ring.”

  I stared at her hard, brown eyes and blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “You broke sisterhood confidentiality by telling Chance about the matchmaking.”

  “That’s not what happened.” Exactly.

  “Frankly, I suspect you also had a hand in last night. You’re out. Take all day to pack if you need the time. But don’t be too loud. A few of my sorority sisters are quite hungover. And they don’t need an outsider like you waking them up.”

  I kicked off my stilettos and climbed the stairs with heavy bare feet. I knew this was a possibility, but…I’d gotten away with everything until I told the truth just now.

  I never truly thought I’d be kicked out of the GUM house. I’d never seen anyone get kicked out, not in my three and half years of belonging. A sick feeling hung in my chest and I wanted to call Chance. But this wasn’t something he could fix.

  I went to my bedroom and pulled down my suitcase. I’d already packed a few things to bring home for Christmas break. But I had to pack everything. The photos on the wall. My fluffy square pillow. My books. I sank onto my bed.

  Overwhelmed inertia hit me, and I couldn’t move.

  I pressed my hand to my lips and didn’t want to go.

  Madison. Madison and her ex. Madison faking adoration for Tyler. Madison and her million snide remarks. Harvard. Baylor. I rose without any thought beyond those hateful memories swirling in my mind and went downst
airs.

  I hit the pink flashing siren alert button and moved into the ballroom to wait.

  ***

  A group of sisters came in right away and took seats. They chatted to each other, speculating why the meeting had been called. But as was the way of it, no one started the official meeting until everyone was down.

  Madison came in last. She sauntered to the front, her finger noticeably devoid of her engagement ring. “There’s been an error. I didn’t convene our group. But as long as we’re all here, I’ll take this opportunity to let you know sisterhood confidentiality has been broken.”

  Several girls gasped.

  “I know.” Madison nodded. “The offender has been evicted from our house. I’ll notify the national office.”

  I rose. “As the possibly evicted sister…”

  There were a number of gaping mouths, and a “No,” from several girls, which I appreciated.

  Valentina rose and stood beside me.

  Then Bitsie.

  Then Emilia.

  Then Arabella.

  They were backing me, come what may. Tears bit my eyes. I clasped my cold hands together and faced the other girls. I laid the events all out there. My transgressions and Madison’s. Matchmaking. Fake engagements. Harvard. Baylor. Tyler. The bartender. “I’m not proposing we kick Madison out.”

  Madison blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “I recommend we have a new presidential election in the spring. I suggest we refine some of our absolutes. And lastly, I’m asking to stay.”

  “Second,” Valentina said.

  “Wait,” Madison said.

  “Third,” Bitsie said.

  Several more girls rose and came and stood behind me. One by one all the girls did the same, crowding the front of the room, behind me, facing Madison in a show of sisterly support.

  I pressed my lips together and nodded.

  “Fine,” Madison said. A cold anger underlay her words and her eyes. “You were losing me anyway next semester. Though now that I am staying, I will be running again for president. I do not believe I overreached by pushing Holly toward an Ivy League school. Nor will I apologize for it. That said, I acknowledge your vote to keep her in the house and frankly applaud your desire to prevent any kicked-out sister scandal. Your mercy and pity for Holly is duly noted. Holly, you make keep your key.” Madison shut off the blinking pink lights. “Meeting adjourned.”