Heat rushed up her neck and settled in her cheeks.As nonchalantly as she could muster, she said, “What do you mean?”
“You two are supposed to act like you’re into each other, but it seems like you hate each other.Soon Reed is going to know that something is up.”
Abby slipped her lip gloss into her bag before turning to her friend.“You should be having this conversation with Brad.He hasn’t said a word to me since we left the restaurant.”She couldn’t exactly blame him.Being thrown into a fake relationship with someone he didn’t like was extremely uncomfortable.“This was a mistake.Can’t we just tell Reed the truth?”
“No.”Sadie’s voice was firm as she shook her head.“We made it this far without him finding out.We just need to make it until tomorrow for the “birthday” party.”Sadie used air quotes.“Thankfully, Kate didn’t mind us borrowing her birthday, and the guests are willing to go along with the cover story.”
At that moment, the next day seemed like a lifetime away.Abby lifted her gaze to meet Sadie’s.“I don’t think he believes Brad is into me.”
“Maybe if you two loosened up and talked.”Sadie sighed.“I know I’m asking a lot, but please don’t quit.I need this surprise party to show Reed that I’m as invested in this wedding as he is.That proposal was something I’ll be telling our grandchildren about.”She got a dreamy look in her eyes.“He’s such a great guy.He’s thoughtful and kind.”
“Okay.Okay.I’ll keep up the charade.But you need to have this conversation with Brad.He’s totally shut down.I can’t pull this off by myself.”
“Okay.”Sadie turned and headed out the door.
What just happened?Was Sadie really going to speak to Brad?How was she going to make that happen without raising Reed’s suspicion?
Abby rushed out the door after her.When Sadie was on a mission, she moved swiftly.
On the way, Abby got waylaid by her assistant manager.“Hey, Mia.How did closing go?”
She was a steady, reliable employee who had been working at the Steaming Brew for three years.If Abby needed something done, she knew Mia would make sure it was done properly.It was why Abby had given her the promotion without any reservations.
Mia worried her bottom lip.“There’s something I need to tell you.I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up.”
Abby reached for her back pocket but found it empty.Then she recalled taking out her phone to take a picture of the hall to send Sadie.She must have put it down and forgot to pick it back up.“I’m sorry.I didn’t hear it.”
“It’s okay.But you need to know that the espresso machine quit working.Like it’s totally done for.”Worry shone in Mia’s eyes.“I’m so, so sorry.”
Abby knew the machine was old.In fact, it was old when she picked it up second-hand.But she’d really been hoping it would hang in there a little bit longer so she could save up some money for a new one.
“It’s not your fault.It’s old.And it has been giving me some fits lately.I’ve known that it was going to need to be replaced.I was just hoping for a little more time.I’ll look at it in the morning.”Just then the band started to play a new set.Abby had to raise her voice to be heard.“Is that the only problem?”
Mia nodded.“Oh, there’s Paige.Gotta go.”
After they said their goodbyes, Abby made her way over to the table.There were four chairs around the table, and only one of them was occupied.
She pulled out one across from Reed.“Where is everyone?”
Reed gestured behind her.She scooted around to find Sadie dancing with Brad to some old-time rock-n-roll.For the first time since they’d started this ridiculous charade, Brad’s shoulders weren’t rigid, and the smile on his handsome face looked to be genuine.She got an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of her stomach, but she refused to examine it too closely.
She turned away, but that left her facing Reed.And though they were friendly, they weren’t exactly friends.The things she knew about him were what Sadie had relayed to her.So, it was time to make small talk.
“I heard we’re due for more snow next week.”Abby inwardly sighed that the weather was the first thing she thought of to talk about.
Reed nodded as his gaze moved from her to the dance floor, where his bride-to-be was dancing with his best friend.Then his gaze returned to her.“He’s a really good guy.You’ll see that once you get to know him better.”
Abby inwardly groaned.Talking about Brad and their fake relationship did not fall under the category of small talk.
“I’m sure he is.”She forced a small smile to her lips.
“He has a habit of putting up barriers, but don’t let that stop you.He’s really worth going the distance for.”The next thing she knew, Reed was out of his seat and standing next to her with his hand held out to her.“Shall we dance?”
Normally, she’d pass, but that would mean continuing to sit at the table, discussing Brad, and that was the last thing she wanted to do.So, she nodded as she placed her hand in his and got to her feet.Reed immediately released her hand as he stepped back to let her lead the way to the dance floor.
They were playing a fast number making it nearly impossible to have a conversation while dancing.It was a welcome distraction.She didn’t want to continue their conversation about Brad.But Reed was being cryptic.And now there were all of these questions floating around in her mind.
Why would Brad put up barriers?Was he some sort of confirmed bachelor?Or had someone hurt him deeply in the past?
