Because kissing her won't destroy me.
Sure, Liz. Only when people are watching.
"Right. For show."
"For show."
"Like, we're acting, right?"
Part of me wants to confess everything. Years of wanting her. Watching her date assholes who didn't see what I see. Stayingsilent because I'd rather have her as a friend than lose her entirely.
Part of me knows this is my chance. Even if it's fake, I get to touch her. Kiss her. Call her mine.
Part of me knows it'll wreck me when it ends.
All of me knows I'd do it again.
I grin at her. "Rule four: We're honest with each other. About everything. This might be fake for everyone else, but we don't lie to each other."
Liz meets my eyes. "We never lie to each other."
"Never."
Except I'm lying right now. I have been for years, but that's different.
Liz extends her hand. "Deal?"
I take it and resist the urge to brush my lips along her knuckles.
"Deal."
"We should head back. Welcome party at seven. Need to shower and change."
"And be the adorable newly-engaged couple?"
"Exactly. Thank you, Dean. For earlier. For stepping in."
"I wasn't going to watch Maura tear you apart."
"You always do that. Defend me when I can't defend myself."
"You don't need defending. You need a family that isn't awful."
"I have you."
Something tightens beneath my ribs. "Yeah. You do."
"Okay. See you at seven, fiancé."
"See you at seven, fiancée."
I'm in so much trouble, but every second of heartbreak after will be worth it.
===
2
LIZ
