Page 20 of Her Counterfeit Christmas
“What about grandmother? Are you still angry at her?”
I shake my head. “Grandmother never stuck up for Mom or Dad, but she said nothing bad about them either.” I shrug. “I’m okay seeing her, but I’d rather not go at all.”
Brady gives me a long look. “I’m giving up Dungeons and Dragons to go, so it better be a good trip. Are you going to be miserable and ruin Christmas?”
“No.”
He tilts his head to the side and crosses his arms. He doesn’t believe me.
“I’ll do my best to have fun,” I amend. It won’t be easy. I have a chip on my shoulder as large as a city block.
He keeps staring. It reminds me a lot of Dad.
I put my hand over my heart. “This will be the best Christmas we’ve ever had.”
“If you fail, you’ll regret it.”
I don’t doubt it.
The bathroom door opens. “Brady? Your turn.”
Chapter Five
LAYLA
A sleek,black car waits for me outside my apartment building at eight the next morning. As soon as I come out of the door, the driver walks forward and takes my two suitcases. He adjusts his grip as his shoulders shift forward. He raises his eyebrows as he packs them into the trunk.
I struggled to know what to pack, which meant I over packed and brought something for every occasion I could imagine.
When the driver opens my door, I slip inside, then startle when I see Spencer staring at the computer on his lap. I expected to meet him at the airport and had prepared myself for the stress of him arriving late.
He takes a second away from his laptop to kiss me on the cheek. “I’m glad to see your roommates didn’t talk you out of coming with me.”
“No.”
It’s not that my roommates didn’t want to talk me out of it, just that I didn’t give them much of a chance.
The driver pulls out of the parking lot, and I look back at my apartment building. The lights on our Christmas tree shine through our third-floor window in the gloomy, cloud-covered morning.
Last night when I got home, Meg was in the living room. I gave her the abbreviated version of the proposal, making it sound romantic, then escaped to my room. This morning I woke Livy, and while she was half asleep broke the news and fled. I even made up a wedding date so they’d take me seriously. The size of the ring did the rest. I wasn’t able to convince them I love Spencer. They’re too smart for that, considering they’ve been with me through all three times Spencer and I dated. I understand their confusion. They don’t know about my financial woes or the extent of Spencer’s wealth.
I turn my attention back to Spencer as his fingers clack along the keys of his computer.
“I thought you weren’t taking your case with you to Maine,” I say.
Did I really expect anything different from a workaholic for the next week? Yes, I did. It’s a reminder that I need to keep my expectations realistic for our relationship going forward. His work is his priority, not me. I’m marrying so I’ll have the money to take care of Nana. If I don’t expect anything more from him, I’ll never be disappointed.
“Our key witness backed out of our case,” he says. “It was the phone call I didn’t take during dinner last night. This morning we were given additional evidence by the prosecution that doesn’t look good for our client. We had anairtight case, but now it’s falling apart, and we have less than a month to put it back together. The judge won’t give us another continuance.”
I close my eyes and center myself. “Will you be working on the case all week?”
At his silence, I open my eyes to find he’s studying me. “You have to understand, I don’t have a choice. This case is important. I won’t fail my client.”
“I understand, but that doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t know how sorry I am.” He goes back to his computer, typing while also talking. I’m not sure how he’s able to do both at the same time. “I was thinking last night that it might be better if I propose on Christmas Day instead of arriving as already engaged. Is that okay with you?”
I don’t care either way, so I take off the ring and hold it out to him. My hand feels lighter. My heart feels heavier. Christmas in Maine isn’t sounding so appealing anymore.
