Page 49 of Walkoff Wedding

Once he’s gone, my attention shifts to Addie, who’s chewing the corner of her lip, lost in thought. I drop my arm from her shoulder and walk over to the coffee table in front of her and sit.

“I know you’re probably not interested in going to a party… or a bar, and honestly, neither am I. I haven’t been in a party mood in a while.”

She nods. “It’s not my thing, but if it’s something you really wanted to do, then I’d be okay with it?”

“Nah. But maybe this is the perfect time to… practice? Not something like a stupid party with Davis, but maybe we could just spend some time together and practice before we do something more public? Not a party.”

Her lip curves upward as she smirks. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Yeah?”

She nods with a hint of shyness shining in her bright blue eyes.

Now, I just have to plan the perfect fake date for my fake wife.

chapter fifteen

Addie

I wonder if tonight is actually a date.

There’s no official guidebook on how to fake marry someone, so it’s unclear how all of this should go, but I can’t stop myself from wondering if Grant considers this a date.

Or is this simply just… practice?

Peering into the mirror in his bathroom, I scan my reflection, sighing as I run my hands down the front of the beige dress I’m wearing, wondering if this is what I should wear if it is considered a date.

Or… even if it’s not.

It’s times like this that I wish I had girlfriends. Someone my own age to talk to about clothes and my lack of knowledge about makeup and boys. But I’ve just never been great at making friends. I’ve always been painfully shy, much better at blending into the background. It’s why I’ve mostly stuck to my art, working at the bakery, and Auggie. Most of the time, I’m content with that, but sometimes, I wish that I had someone to confide in.

Instead, I’ve got Auggie, who’s currently staring at me with his judgy eyes and making me second-guess my outfit choice for tonight.

But before I can change for the third time, there’s a light rap at the bedroom door, and then Grant’s voice drifts through. “Almost ready?”

“Um, yes. Give me just one more second!” My stomach twists in a flurry of nerves as I blow out a shaky exhale and take one final look in the mirror.

This dress is fine for whatever tonight ends up being. It’s basic but still flatters the small amount of curves that I have. And the dainty strawberry earrings I grabbed at the last minute are the perfect accessory for the soft waves I did my hair in.

It’s fine.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself as I grab a thin pink cardigan off the bed, then give Auggie a quick head scratch before walking over to the bedroom door and opening it.

Grant’s standing in the doorway, leaning against the wooden frame on one veiny, muscled forearm.

His lips slightly part, and his eyes trail down my body in a slow, unhurried perusal. I can nearly feel his gaze as it travels over me, a shiver racing down my spine in response and sending my already frayed nerves into overdrive.

“Is this okay? I can go cha?—”

“No. No,” he stops me, his blue eyes finally lifting to mine. “You look stunning, Addie.”

Heat flushes my cheeks at the compliment. His gaze feels more intense than ever, or maybe I just haven’t noticed how much until now.

“Thank you,” I murmur shyly.

Tonight, he’s wearing a simple black cotton T-shirt with a faded pair of blue jeans and a well-worn pair of Converse. He’s styled his hair and shaved, which somehow makes his sculpted jawline appear even more prominent.

I never knew that was a feature that I would be so… attracted to until Grant. Not that I’ve had a lot of experiences to go on.

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