Page 24 of The Substitute Fiancée

My two roommates are watching a crime series when I walk into the apartment. They pause it as soon as they see me.

Emelyne jumps up from the couch.

“So? How did it go? Is he okay?”

I take a deep breath.

“I just got engaged.”

The silence is deafening.

“What?” they both exclaim, their voices jumping an octave.

“Alexander asked me to be his fake fiancée to secure his company’s IPO,” I explain.

They stare at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“His fake fiancée?” Emelyne repeats.

“It’s a long story.”

“In that case, we need drastic measures,” Emelyne says, already heading for the stove to make us hot chocolate.

Five minutes later, I tell them everything as we sip the creamy drink.

Kristel and her betrayal. The threat she poses to MatchMapping. Alexander’s plan. My decision to accept.

When I finish, Mara whistles.

“Damn. Your life is a novel.”

“Seriously, you never do anything the normal way,” Emelyne laughs.

Her reaction catches me off guard.

“You don’t think this is crazy?” I ask.

“It is. But you only live once,” she replies. “Go for it. What do you have to lose? I’ve watched you love that man in silence for years. This is your chance.”

“But it’s just a temporary deal,” I protest. “He doesn’t feel that way about me.”

Emelyne sits down beside me and takes my hand.

“Listen,” she says gently. “If after six months of playing lovers he doesn’t fall in love with you, then you’ll have to accept that he’ll never be yours. And it’ll be time to move on. But at least you’ll have tried.”

*

Later, as I’m getting ready for bed, my phone buzzes.

Alexander: Thank you, Sam. You’ll never know how much what you’re doing means to me.

I stare at the screen, my heart pounding wildly.

If only he knew.

My fingers hover over the keyboard.

Sam: Good night.