“Yeah,” he says.
I step away from the window.“Cool.I’ll start getting ready.”
Those brown eyes I love reflect confusion and sadness, breaking my heart.
“Okay,” he says quietly.
I go into the bathroom and climb into the shower so the spray can disguise my sobs.I thought this was going to be a wonderful day.Being engaged to Ollie is what I’ve dreamed of, but it’s not real.I can’t even pretend anymore.And then we go t picked for Pastry Pro because of our connection to the hockey team.Not because we submitted a kickass audition video and created delicious, beautiful treats, but because of who we’re dating—or fake-engaged to.I’m getting my cake and eating it too.Surprise, it has canned cat food between the layers.
21
OLLIE
What the hellis going on?Phoebe’s lying to me, and I don’t know why.We’ve always been honest with each other.We’re best friends—at least, I thought we were.I believe nothing physical happened between her and Nick other than kissing.I hate that any man got to enjoy that before I did, but I understand she had a life before me.What she’s done before doesn’t matter.It’s okay that I’m not the first.But I want to be the last.The only.
What hurts is that she’s friends with Stone.Good friends.They were having a silent conversation.That’sourthing.I thought it was a special connection between us.But it’s not.She has it with him too.Maybe she connects with everyone.She’s friendly and outgoing; she draws people to her.Of course she’s going to have friends.I want her to have friends.But not better friends than me.She’s my best friend, and I want to be her best friend too.
Okay, I want to be so much more than that.I love her and want to make our engagement real.I want her to be my wife.It’s my dream to have a family with her.We could have a wonderful life together.I think maybe she’s starting to think of me that way.Or was.Suddenly, it feels like she’s pulling away from me, and I don’t know why.Does she regret the necessity of presenting ourselves as an engaged couple to the world?The days when it was only us at the cottage were wonderful, and I’ve never felt closer to Phoebe—or to anyone in my life.It was like the real world didn’t exist, and it was us being ourselves, and it was magical.I miss that, and it’s not even been a full day.
So if my dream for the future can’t come true, I’m going to make damn sure Phoebe’s does.I’ll do whatever’s necessary for her to win the contest and be recognized as the incredible baker she is.
The shower stops, and I hear her moving around the bedroom.Leaning back on the sofa with my hands linked behind my head, I indulge my imagination by picturing her drying off and getting dressed.I wonder if she uses body lotion.I’d give up hockey to be the person spreading lotion over all that smooth skin.
My phone vibrates with a text.It’s my family’s group text.Shit.
Mom: You’re ENGAGED?To Phoebe?OUR PHOEBE???
Violet: About damn time.
Mom: Violet Marie!Language!
I snicker.Violet thought our last name was “Language” because Mom was always first and middle naming us and then saying “language” to reprimand us when we were growing up.
Violet: What?He’s been mooning over her for years.
Before I get a chance to respond, a separate text from only my brother pops up.
Finn: WTF happened?What’s going on with you and Phoebe?
Mine is the only family I know that texts in complete sentences to each other.Whenever we use text-speak, Mom pretends she doesn’t understand and calls us to talk.So for Finn to use WTF shows he’s freaked.
Me: Easier to tell you with everyone, join the family text thread.
Now that we’re all in the same thread, I keep it simple.
Me: 1.We’re engaged.
2.We don’t have a wedding date set yet.
3.We’re getting ready to go to dinner.
4.Everything’s good.I love you.We’ll talk later.
Well, that’s handled.
Phoebe pokes her head out of the bedroom.Her hair is wrapped in a towel, and she’s wearing a hotel robe.
“Do you still want to go to dinner?”Phoebe asks.
