She doesn’t get an answer before Vicki arrives.
Vicki’s wearing a gold dress with frilly sparkles that hangs down midcalf. I realize her short hair is brighter with the red and green stripes, like she had it touched up, and I wonder if I just didn’t notice earlier today. She’s also wearing makeup, including something glittery that makes little spots all over her face glint in the light.
Amanda sucks in a big breath and squeezes my hand tighter.
On her mom’s recommendation, she’s going along with whatever Vicki says tonight.
We’ll fix everything else later,Kimberly said.I don’t want you to spend your life miserable. I want you to be happy.
I want her to be happy too.
I want to be what makes her happy.
And instead, our breakup is looming over us.
Our engagement has always been fake, but it never felt more so than it does tonight.
Chapter 30
Amanda
I used to love parties, but this week, they’re the absolute bane of my existence.
Last night’s anniversary party was awkward.
Tonight’s party is even worse. On top of the questions about the wedding, I’m getting questions about where Dane and I will live with Grandma passing her share of the bakery to me.
Grandma hasn’t even made the announcement yet, but everyone knows it’s coming.
Fiftieth anniversary of taking over the bakeryparty.
No one believes that.
Everyone knows I’m the only one of her grandchildren here because she plans to name me as her successor.
Secrets in this town are apparently only well kept when they’re about why two families are feuding.
Grandma makes her rounds visiting with all her guests and making sure they’re enjoying their gingerbread and insisting that they enjoy the light appetizers and the wine bar too. Mom’s pulled in, too, doing much of the same.
But the deeper we get into the first hour of mingling, the more questions pop up about where Dane and I will live.
It gets overwhelming enough that I escape to the bathroom, feeling like a complete asshole for leaving Dane to handle the questions solo.
Lorelei follows me. She and her dad arrived not long after Grandma. “Are you okay?” she demands after checking all the stalls to make sure we’re alone.
“I don’t want to run the bakery,” I blurt.
“Duh. You belong in the city.” She visibly clamps her mouth shut like she’s keeping herself from askingwhich city, by the way?
“And I really wanted my grandma and your grandparents to get over this stupid fight before my wedding.” God, I hate lying to Lorelei.
She trusts us.
What will she think tomorrow? Will she figure out that we’ve been faking when we break up? Will she be brokenhearted that we’ve called it off?
Why can’t she see that we’re lyingright nowand give me some sign that she’s been going along with it for the good of Tinsel?
She wraps me in a tight hug. “There’s a reason you two have always been my two favorite people in the world, and everything you’ve done this week has cemented it. This will work out. I promise you, this will all work out, and you’ll be happy. I canfeelit.”
