Page 21 of Pretend for Me

I’ve heard words like “love” and “commitment” be exchanged, only to be disposed of when they’re used up. I’ve held my mom and my best friends as they cried in my arms.I’ve felt the sting of not being enough, not being valued. And I promised myself I’d never put myself in a position to let someone do that to me again.

Because, in the end, people leave. They decide you aren’t worth it. And I’d rather live my life moving forward, unattached and uncommitted, than be saddled with a broken heart.

Mom gleams. “Now, tell me how you are. What’s new with you?”

Oh boy, where to start?

I clear my throat. “Well, I have some news . . .”

Without further delay, I tell my mother about the recent, ahem,changesin my life, namely the fact that I’m now engaged to Dev Menon and that we plan to be married in a few weeks. While I do mention the urgency is due to his mother’s health, I refrain from elaborating on the facade, sticking to the narrative that Dev and I met at the salon a while ago and have since gotten to know each other well. Well enough to now want to be married.

Like my best friends, my mother, and my brother are lunatics when it comes to protecting me. And while it’s great to have an army like that behind you, it does take a certain amount of energy to fight them when they think you’re going down the wrong path, as seen by my discussion with Sarina and Nisha.

Mom’s mouth drops open for a few seconds before she registers what I’ve told her. “Married?Piper, I’m not sure what to say. This just seems so sudden.”

It’s not surprising that she’s shocked. My mother knows I’ve never thought much about tying myself down with one person.

“Why didn’t you tell me things had gotten so serious with someone? And Dev Menon, of all people? He’s a name everyone knows nowadays.”

I give her a reassuring smile. “I know it’s shocking for you since I haven’t mentioned him before, but Dev and I wanted to keep things between us until we knew how we felt about each other.”

Mom eyes me quizzically, similar to the look Nisha and Sarina gave me earlier. “Still, this feels . . . rushed. I understand his mother’s health is a factor, but sweetheart, marriage is a huge commitment. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Nope, not at all.

I gulp down a fresh set of nerves. “I know, Mom. I can understand why you’re worried, but I just need you to trust me, okay?”

“And you’re sure you know him well enough to spend your life with him?”

Nope again. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

Thank goodness she can’t hear the way my heart is hammering inside my chest.

My mom eyes me for a few seconds, looking for what, I’m not sure, but finally relents. “Well, if this is what you both want, then I’m thrilled for you. Tell me when you decide the date and when you need me there.”

Relieved, I give my mom a few more details about the plan before we hang up. Which isn’t much, considering Dev and I haven’t spoken since he left the salon after I agreed to our arrangement.

My relief is short-lived when, not even three minutes later, my phone buzzes again and my brother’s face lights up the screen. He doesn’t even wait for a greeting.

“You’re engaged?! I swear to God, Piper, if it’s one of your sausage dudes, I will kill the motherfucker.”

nine

piper

I Didn’t Bring Extra Panties

Unknown Number

We need to discuss our arrangement, along with a recent amendment. When do you close up at the salon tonight?

I’ve just finished a rather long hair treatment for my previous client when I find the message waiting on my phone. It’s clear who it’s from, but I ask anyway because one can never be too sure.

Plus, one can never find too many ways to irritate their new fake fiancé.

Me

Sorry, is this arrangement in regards to the Socks Without Partners humanitarian crisis we’re collecting for at the salon? Are you the hand-puppeteer I reached out to earlier to take my socks?

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