Who says I’m pretending?
I scowl at my phone trying to figure out what the hell that’s supposed to mean. Of course, he’s pretending. Why would he not be pretending?
I’m usually done by six on Mondays.
I send a response back, ignoring his message completely.
Okay. I have some projects to work on today so let’s talk after work about how we’re going to break the news to people.
Okay.
I set my phone down assuming the conversation will end there but it buzzes again. Confused, I pick up my phone and read his text message.
I hope you have a good day at work, sugar. You were made to own and run Holly House. Go out there and show the world how much that’s true.
Rereading his message at least four times, I glare at my phone and wonder why he’s trying so hard. He doesn’t have to pretend with me, I’m in on the secret. He knows that, right? I put my phone down again and finish getting ready so I’m not late to work. Standing from my vanity, the light catches the silver, diamond-studded band resting in the small trinket dish where I left it. I feel like it’s staring at me, reminding me of the permanent bond I’ve recently made and how I have to show people that it’s not all pretend. Picking it up, I hold it in front of my face as if my staring at it will make it disappear.
“Oh for Christ’s sake,” I huff to myself before shoving the damn thing onto my finger.
Storming out of my bedroom, I grab my coat and my purse, ready to head out into town sporting my new piece of jewelry. Only seven weeks to convince the town and Grandma Mary that Nick and I are in this for real. Only seven weeks where I have to keep my heart in check and continue to believe that my feelings for him are nothing more than pretend. It’s only seven weeks.
I can survive seven weeks.
I hope.
Oddly enough, the inn is slower for a Monday than it normally is. While the bulk of our check-ins and check-outs happen over the weekend, Mondays are when many of the townspeople like to stop in for a coffee or have lunch at the restaurant. Eve has caused quite a stir around town for how delicious her food is to the point where more and more locals are popping in for a quick bite or when they opt to have dinner here than cook at home. While I know she’ll never admit it, I know she’s happy to be back.
“Happy Monday, Noelle. How was your weekend?” Belle asks, coming to say hi as she comes in for the day. It’s a little after lunch and she’s coming in to work the evening shift since our usual night manager is home with a sick kiddo.
“Oh, it was good. Chill, you know,” I answer causally, spinning my wedding band around my finger.
She sets her stuff in the office and comes back out, bumping me out of the way so she can check the online registration book for the week.
“That’s nice. We didn’t see you all weekend, were you sick? I know you usually take the weekends off but you still pop in every now and then.” Her eyes are fixated on the computer screen as she asks.
“Uhh, no. Not sick. Just…busy.” I’m waiting for her to look at me. When she does, I quickly use my left hand to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. She immediately spots the ring and her eyes go wide.
Snatching my hand into hers and pulling it close to her face, her eyes bug out at my ring. “What the hell is that?”
“What the hell is what?”
The two of us look over my shoulder to find Eve staring at us from the doorway.
“This!” Belle shouts, yanking my hand up for her to see.
Eve scrunches her nose up at my hand. “Ew, why are you wearing an old lady ring on your finger?”
I pull my hand from Belle’s and clutch it into my chest. “It’s not an old lady ring,” I cry out defensively.
“Yeah it is,” she scoffs. “It looks like some old lady wedding band. Where’s the big rock? And why are you wearing a wedding band anyway?”
I swallow hard and look between them, pinching my lips together.
“Because I’m married.”
“You’rewhat?” Belle’s mouth falls open.
“Oh, god, tell me it isn’t Ron,” Eve grimaces.
