Page 35 of Fake To Forever

I spend a few more minutes with Oliver and Edna before retreating from his room, and back downstairs so that he can calm down before he goes to sleep. Reaching the kitchen, I stop next to the wide island and drum my fingers on its surface.

What the hell am I doing?

I should just go home, but I don’t want to upset Christian. Still, this is too weird. This is going to be my home soon, but I feel so small and out of place in it. Did I make a huge mistake saying yes to Christian’s proposal? I mean, what am I really going to tell Mom? And my brother for that matter! There’s no way they’ll believe I’m actually in love with Christian if I can’t even be comfortable in his house…

Realizing I’m panicking, I dig my phone out of my pocket and quickly dial Marie’s number. I need to talk to someone… I need help rationalizing all this so that I can step back from the metaphorical ledge…

“Hey, girl,” Marie says when she answers after two rings. “What are you doing?”

“You mean besides standing in a practical mansion?—”

“Wait! You’re at his house!” she exclaims. “Why are you calling me then? Shouldn’t you be living it up? That guy’s loaded.”

“Marie…” I groan, shaking my head as I let out a heavy breath. “I think I’m overwhelmed. I’m at Christian’s house, and I’m alone because he went to the office and I’m freaking out…”

“Wait there,” she orders in a firm tone. “I’ll be over in a minute. Ask your new fiancé if he’ll let us use his pool.”

Wait, what?

“You can’t just come over to his house, Marie.”

A scoff echoes through the line, and I can practically see her rolling her eyes. “Why not? It’s basically your house as well.”

“Not technically…”

“Yes… it technically is,” she adds, not taking no for an answer. “I think yourfiancéwould be more upset that you didn’t ask someone you really care about who’s always been there for you to not come over when you’re nervous because you think he wants you to be alone.”

You make no sense at all.

There’s no point in arguing with her. When Marie sets her mind to something, she does it. She always feels the need to help people in any way she can, and I love her for it. But I just wish people didn’t take her for granted like they always seem to do.

“Okay, fine. If you really want to.”

“Be there in ten,” she declares before hanging up.

Blinking, I stare down at my phone for several moments before I text Christian.

Me: Can Marie come over and can we use your pool?

He answers within a few minutes.

Chris: It's your pool too now. It will be your house soon. Invite over whoever you want.

A sigh of relief escapes me at his approval as I go to put on my swimsuit. It was a good thing Christian insisted I bring it after all. Maybe a little swim will do me good.

Exactly ten minutes later, the doorbell rings. I hurry to answer it and Marie greets me with a wide smile, wearing a green bikini top and jean shorts.

“I’m here!” she exclaims, rushing inside when I give her room.

“Shhh…” I quickly say, glancing towards the stairs. “The nanny is trying to get Oliver down.”

Her eyes go wide as she quickly tiptoes in as if Oliver is going to hear her walking. “Oh, sorry. I forgot he has a kid.”

She drops her stuff and looks around, whistling below her breath. “Damn… I knew this place was big, but it’s like a mansion in here.”

“Yeah, it’s big. Come on. Let’s go outside. I need to swim off my anxious energy.”

She chuckles at my response, and gestures with her hand towards the rest of the house. “Lead the way.”

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