I lean down and kiss her cheek.
Her skin is warm under my lips, and she tilts her face toward me.
My mouth on her cheekbone. Smooth. Soft. I've wanted this for so fucking long it hurts.
Two seconds, just long enough to sell it.
I address the table, hand still on her shoulder. "We didn't tell anyone because of the distance. My flight schedule is hell. Didn't seem real until we could spend time together as a couple. But this weekend seemed right. With the wedding, everyone here."
Liz shrugs. "And I didn't want to take attention from Maura's weekend, but you keep pressing, sis. So, ... " another shrug.
I almost laugh out loud. Like I said, together, Liz and I are bulletproof.
Rochelle claps her hands once. "Well, this is unexpected but good news. Dean, we've always enjoyed having you around."
Maura is still suspicious as hell, and she casts a pointed look at Rochelle. "If you've been dating for months, why is this the first we're hearing about it? Mom tells me nothing, I know," her eyes dart back from Rochelle, "but Liz tells Mom everything."
Rochelle nods. "She does. Odd that she wouldn't mention something this significant."
Maura looks a little deflated. Unconvinced. Her eyes harden. She will pick at this all weekend. Make Liz miserable. Prove she's lying.
Liz needs something bigger. Something harder to dismiss. Something that will live rent-free in Maura's head and fester every day of her miserable life.
Then, damn, I remember. My grandmother's ring. Always around my neck. White gold, small diamond. Simple. Elegant. For the woman I'd spend my life with.
Gram gave it to me two months before she died. "For when you find her, Dean. You'll know when you do."
I've known since sophomore year. Since Liz fell asleep on my shoulder during a Statistics study session, and I realized I'd never feel this way about anyone else.
But…
This is insane.
A fake boyfriend is one thing.
Fake fiancé is?—
Then again, this is my chance. Even if it's pretend. Short-lived. Even if it wrecks me when it ends.
I get to call her mine, touch her, maybe kiss her.
Fuck it.
We've grown so comfortable together, I've sweated on raising the stakes. That boundary between friendship and something more romantic has become like our own personal Great Wall. But suddenly, here's a chance to take a leap, so I'm ...
... All in.
With a deep breath, I release her shoulder and step back. Liz follows me with her gaze. My pulse pounds in my temples, sweat slides down my back. I have never felt this nervous, not even when I flew a plane on my own for the first time.
Blood roars in my ears, and I remind myself this is fake, that I'm doing it for Liz, but it might as well be real for how terrified I am.
I reach for the chain around my neck, pull it out from under my shirt, and unclasp it one-handed.
The ring sits in my palm, still warm from my chest.
Someone gasps. Others follow. Even Maura shows a glint of humanity. Her hand automatically rising towards her lips.
But I ignore them. I only focus on one person. The most important in my life.
