Page 177 of The Friend Situation

“Already staking a claim?” I ask, shaking my head.

“Yes, but you should come and surprise everyone. We’ll plan it and keep it a secret from the family.”

Weston chuckles, shaking his head. “Your favorite.”

I smirk.

A minute later, she joins us at the table and reaches for the strawberry jelly.

“How have things been with you two? I heard you’ve been seeing one another for a year,” she says, holding up her hand. “And before you get worked up, I didn’t read your journal. Matteo summarized it for me afterheread it.”

“I’m mortified.” My adrenaline spikes because I wrote somevery personal things about Weston. Many are sexual things I never wanted my older brother or the entire world to read.

Weston takes a sip of coffee, focusing on her. He doesn’t seem worried. “Things have been going great. We’ve had a lot of fun. No pressure.”

“Is she in denial?” Mawmaw asks.

“Excuse me? Denial about what?”

“Honey, I know this engagement is fake.” She smiles as she cracks open her eggs. “It’s just not like you to get engaged without us all meeting him first. You may not live here anymore, but you care about the family. It matters to you if we like your significant other, no matter where you live.” She glances at Weston. “If you’re wonderin’, we do like you.”

Weston smiles, and I shake my head.

Mawmaw’s eyebrow rises. “Am I wrong? Now, don’t you be lyin’ to me.”

I let out a huff, knowing I can’t feed her stories. “Mawmaw.”

“You can pull this scheme on anyone else but not me, sugar.” She smiles. “It’s okay if you do things backward. I’m not judgin’ as long as it ends with the same result. It’s obvious you’ve both got it bad for each other, so the lie works. Don’t stress about it.”

Weston clears his throat, but Mawmaw interrupts him before he can speak.

“It’s hard to play tricks on an old dog. The emotional connection you share is real, and it’s difficult to overlook. You two are like the fireworks show on the Fourth of July. I can see it in the way you look at each other. I’m just trying to figure out why you’re not moving forward.”

How did Mawmaw know it wasn’t real?

Weston turns his attention toward me, smirking. “I see where you get your spunk from.”

“No comment,” I state, keeping my mouth shut, not giving her any more ammunition.

Mawmaw wipes her mouth with her napkin, grinning. “Okay, so we’re not talking about it then?”

She may look prim and proper, but she woke up and chose violence today.

“How’s the weather supposed to be today?” Weston changes the subject as we finish eating, expertly steering the conversation away from the topic of us.

“Will be in the lower sixties around lunchtime. Lots of sunshine.”

“I heard you have an identical twin brother. Are you two alike?” Mawmaw asks.

“Yes, but he’s quiet and reserved. I think you’d like him,” Weston replies.

“Didn’t he marry your friend Lexi?” Mawmaw asks, and I nod. “Maybe they can visit for Christmas too.”

“You’d love them.” I chuckle nervously. “However, Lex is pregnant, and I’m sure they’ll want to spend their first Christmas with the baby at home.”

“Welp, the invite is open since you two will be here.”

I smile, then glare at Weston, who seems to be enjoying this way too much.

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