“Good,” I said, and I meant it. Because if Allie did anything else to hurt Bryn, we were going to have words. “What did you tell her about us?”
“Maybe it was wrong, but I decided to roll with it.” She winked, and I chuckled. “So now she and my mom, and whoever else they’ve told, think we’re dating.”
I thought it was interesting that Bryn had decided that it was easier to pretend we were dating than tell her family the truth, but I kept that thought to myself. As I’d told her last night, I would do whatever she wanted.
“How’d your mom react?” I asked.
“She was so happy and relieved, even if she didn’t say that. But Allie had a ton of questions, and now I’m worried that we’re walking into this woefully unprepared.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “What kinds of questions?”
“Things like how long have we been together? How did this happen? Stuff like that. But hopefully, she’ll be having too much fun tonight to pay us much attention.”
I was skeptical. “Are you worried we won’t be able to sell it?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I like to be prepared, and I feel very out of my element here.”
Because of me? Because of the situation? Because she hadn’t dated in a long time? Maybe a bit of all of it.
“This doesn’t have to be difficult,” I said, eager to ease her worries. “Try not to overthink it. Most people know we’ve been friends for a long time. This is just a natural progression of our relationship. Besides, we can let our body language do most of the talking.”
“But if they do ask questions…” She rolled her lips between her teeth. “I think we should try to stick to the truth as much as possible.”
As if I needed the reminder. The bigger issue was trying to remember that for her, at least, this was all pretend.
I gave her hand a squeeze, wanting to reassure her. I certainly wouldn’t need to fake anything when it came to my feelings for Bryn.
She gnawed on the inside of her cheek, and I knew something was bothering her. But instead of pushing, I waited for her to speak.
“What if people think it’s…weird?” she whispered, and I hated the uncertainty in her eyes. She glanced away. “That we’re together because of…you know.”
Because of Derek.
“Bryn.” I grasped her chin, bringing her attention back to me.
“Yeah?” Her pulse was racing in her neck, eyes dilated. She seemed to like it when I took control. But that wasn’t what I should be focusing on right now, so I pushed away those thoughts.
“How did your sister react when you told her we were dating?”
She laughed. “Not surprised. Like…finally.”
Similar to some of my friends, then.
“And your mom?”
“She said it was great news.”
“That sounds really supportive to me. But regardless of what anyone else thinks, how doyoufeel when we’re together?”
Her shoulders relaxed. “I feel…good. Calm and centered. I always feel safe with you.”
My chest warmed at her statement.
“We enjoy being together, right?” I asked.
“Right.” She grinned.
“So it’s really not all that different from what we do at home. We’ve got this,” I said, releasing my grip on her chin.
