Page 1 of Fauxmance

CHAPTER 1

"Magnolia, we need to talk."

I should've known then. Nothing good ever came after those words. "We need to talk" might as well have been code for "Take cover! Prepare yourself! Crap is about to hit the fan." But for some reason, I was blissfully unaware of what was coming.

My boyfriend, Sean, was giving me his serious face. It was the one he always wore before saying something he knew I wouldn't like. I'd seen it a lot over the years. We'd been dating since we were in fifth grade, back when a date was nothing more than sitting next to each other at lunch and holding hands. We were both seniors now. I knew every one of his faces—and yet, I still hoped I was imagining things.

"Okay," I said, giving him my best smile, "what's up?"

"Well…" he trailed off.

"Is this about the wedding tomorrow night? Because I already told you there's no need to go overboard. You don't have to buy me flowers or anything. I know you hate romantic stuff like that."

Though I loved it.

Anything even remotely swoony or thoughtful got a big thumbs-up from me. Happily-ever-after fed my soul. I cried at the end of movies (the good ones where the characters finally work out all their issues and get together). It came with the territory of being a hopeless romantic.

But honestly, the flowers weren't a big deal. Who needed them when I'd already be carrying a bouquet anyway?

Being in a wedding had always been my dream, and it was about to come true.

Maid of Honorhad such a nice ring to it. My sister was getting married to the love of her life, and she'd asked me to be her right-hand gal. She could've asked anyone—Jasmine had a lot of friends—but she'd picked me. Her slightly awkward, too quiet, romance-loving baby sister. I was determined to make it the best day ever.

Though I loved weddings, I'd never actually been in one. We weren't crazy rich like…well, my sister's groom and all of her other bridesmaids. But my mom had the hook up since she was an amazing seamstress, who made alterations to so many affluent people's clothes. Jasmine was going to shine in her bridal dress. My perfect lavender bridesmaid's dress was at home hanging on the back of my door. Sean was going to be the perfect wedding date. I'd practiced my walk and perfected my speech and all of the social graces until they were almost second nature.

This was the chance I'd been waiting for all my life.

I was going to be in a wedding, an integral part of someone else's happily-ever-after.

Nothing could bring me down—or so I thought.

"I think we should break up," Sean said.

I blinked.

"This just isn't working anymore. We both know that."

What? What was he even saying right now? I didn't know that.

"I like you a lot, Mags," he went on. "We've been friends a long time, but college is right around the corner. I've got to start thinking about my future."

I shook my head. "Sean…I don't understand. Did I do something wrong? I thought things were good between us."

He breathed out through his nose like I was the one stressing him out.

"Mags, let's not do this, okay?"

"But we've been together since we were kids," I said.

"Yeah," Sean said, "and it's been great. But aren't you curious to see what else is out there? Dating other people, playing the field, not being tied down when we go to college?"

"No," I said honestly. "I'm dating you, Sean. I don't even look at other guys."

"But haven't you ever wanted to?"

I didn't have to think about it, just shook my head. No, I hadn't been interested in anyone else. My eyes had been so full of Sean Collins, the first (and only) guy to ever ask me out, the first to kiss me. He was also student body president, leader of the academic bowl, a member of our school's honor society, and a heck of a golfer. With light brown eyes that could see into my soul, wavy blond hair and a charming smile that made all the girls sigh, I'd felt so lucky to have him.

I swallowed then asked the question burning on my tongue.

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