That image blurring with one where I sat at that engagement party, drink in hand, sitting by myself, didn't help matters.Not to mention all the questions I'd probably get from friends and family of Chase’s who knew we'd been together.I'd look lonely, depressed, and desperate.
Going alone wasnotan option.
I paced the small length of my bedroom, the sound of my heels clicking against hardwood merging with the ticking of the clock on the wall.
“You’re not calling him,” I muttered.“You don’t need him.You’re a strong, intelligent black woman who can absolutely handle a social event without a man-shaped prop.You don't need him.”
My phone chimed, the screen lighting up with a new notification:One hour until event.
“Perfect,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.“Maybe I can fake my own death instead.”
But when I looked back at the whiteboard, my gaze snagged on the last line of the Pros column.Would definitely make Chase jealous.
I exhaled sharply and snatched my phone off the table.
“You’re not doing this for him,” I told myself as I tapped on the number.“You’re doing it for you.Optics.Damage control.A well-executed plan.”
When the message bar came up, my fingers hovered there for a moment.The rational part of my brain begged me to stop, but it was fighting against my pride and losing.
Finally, I typed:
SAVANNAH
Don’t make me regret this.
Meet me at Ruxbury in an hour.
I hesitated.Then added,
SAVANNAH
Please wear something that's fitting for an engagement party.
There it was—the decision made.Irrevocable.
“Are you happy now?”I mumbled to the universe.“Message sent.Now, stop torturing me.”
I tossed the phone face-down on the bed like it was radioactive and prayed this would go off without a hitch.
It was only three weeks.
I could pretend to like Jaxon for three weeks, right?Then I'd go back as if he didn't exist.This was merely an agreement between two reasonably-minded people.Nothing more, nothing less.
Except nothing could explain the fluttering in my stomach when my phone dinged.
JAXON
I'll be there.
3 | It Takes Time To Look This Good
Savannah
ShouldIhaveanticipatedJaxon showing up late?Yes.
Was I hoping he'd prove me wrong?Also yes.
I didn't know why I expected anything from him to begin with.It was just common decency to arrive on time—especially when the entire purpose of your presence was to make your fake girlfriend look composed and desirable.Yet here I was, twenty minutes into my cousin’s engagement party,alone, with a bright smile plastered on my face like a mark.
