Page 56 of Fauxmance

My face fell. I couldn't help it. One minute I was floating on cloud nine, feeling my blood rushing through my veins after that dance with Hayden, the next I was dropped back down to Earth. Hard. But what did I really expect? That Hayden would profess his undying love for me after one amazing tango? Yeah right, keep dreaming, Magnolia.

"Plus, we're pretty good at faking it," he said.

With a deep breath, I took a step back. "I don't think I can do that."

"I thought we were having a good time," Hayden said. "And you do love weddings."

"Oh, we were, and I do," I said. "It's been such an awesome night. Again, I'm grateful to you for coming—though like I said, I would've been fine on my own."

"I know," he said quickly. "Phineas wouldn't have stood a chance. You're a heck of a girl, Magnolia Wilhelmina."

"But I just don't think I'm fake girlfriend material," I finished.

"You're the best I ever had."

Hayden shot me a grin, but for some reason, I couldn't return it.

I'd just gone through a bad breakup with Sean. Hayden wasn't offering me anything real. And even if he was, I really needed to take a break from dating, fake or otherwise.

His brow furrowed a second later, seeing the change in my expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh no, no," I said, taking another step back, "I just don't think I can do it. Sorry."

Hayden nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets. "No problem."

"I should go check on my sister, make sure she doesn't need anything. I'll see you later, okay?"

He might've said something, but I was already moving away. Hayden hadn't done anything wrong. I was the one who couldn't keep my feelings out of it. Distance was key. I just needed a moment to myself, and I'd be fine. Hayden hadn't asked me to explain, and for that, I was grateful. When I'd said I couldn’t do it, what I really meant was:I can't be around you. I can't look at you and keep pretending. I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from falling.

But it was fine.

Hayden couldn't read minds, and the wedding would be over soon. After a day or two, this would all seem like a dream. I was sure I wouldn't even think of Hayden anymore.

The strange thing was I didn't know whether I was happy or sad about that.

CHAPTER 11

My sister had been right.

The best part about a wedding was the cake.

Or, in this case, the leftover cake.

Jas had been kind enough to donate a good portion of hers as well as several untouched food trays to the soup kitchen where I was a volunteer. We had intentionally ordered more of everything, preferring to have too much rather than too little, and knowing we could give anything that wasn't eaten to a good cause. I worked Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends whenever I could. Honeycomb, Georgia wasn't a bustling city, but we had hungry people here, too.

Most of them were kids with parents who were down on their luck but trying their best. They just needed some help.

That's whereThe Little Spooncame in.

It was one of my favorite places in town. The kitchen had once been a garage which was now converted into a fully-functioning diner where anyone in need could go to have a warm meal. A wonderful woman named Joan had bought and reimagined the space. She was actually one of my favorite people.

When she saw all of the food my mom and I brought in, her smile lit up the whole room.

"Oh, bless you," she said. "The kids are going to love this."

I so hoped she was right.

The kitchen was closed Sundays, so I'd had to wait to bring the food until after school that Monday. We'd done our best to refrigerate, and mom's friend had assured us it would all stay fresh for several days afterward. Still, I'd been nervous, just wanting to give everyone the same happiness we'd experienced.

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