Page 76 of Fauxmance

Ryker popped a brow. "You also know how much I love weddings."

Elliot gave a nod. "Let's be honest. Any one of us would've been a better wedding date for Magnolia. But you chose to go anyway?"

The guys were staring at Hayden like they'd never seen him before.

"I guess he really does like her," Santino murmured.

"Hmm, looks that way," Ryker said.

"He did call her his girlfriend earlier," Elliot said.

Hayden shook his head. "Still standing right here, guys. And we really need to get going."

Shooting me an apologetic look, he tucked his hands into his pockets.

"You ready to get out of here?" he said.

"Sure," I said, letting the subject drop for now. I'd bring it up again later, how he'd let me believe his friends were wedding haters just like him, but for now I was content to let him stew. "Again, it was nice meeting you guys."

"Hope to see you again soon, M," Santino called.

"Bye," Elliot said with a smile.

"If you ever need another wedding date, you know who to call," Ryker said.

Hayden groaned again, but I knew Ryker was joking by the wink he threw my way. Once we'd left the apartment and were back in the car, Hayden started the engine and let it idle. It looked like he had something on his mind.

"Sorry about that," he said finally.

"About what?" I asked.

"My crazy bandmates, putting you in that awkward position, the tiny, little lie I told. Take your pick."

I gave him a look. "Tiny? Really?"

"Hey, I went to the wedding."

"You did."

"And not showing up wasn't an option," he said. "Even if I had to force myself, I knew I would never leave you high and dry."

"But if your boys were willing, why force yourself?"

He was silent a beat then, "Would you rather have gone with one of them?"

"What?" I scoffed. "Hayden, seriously? I hardly know them. We just met five minutes ago. And even if we hadn't, of course, I'd rather go with you."

Hayden's shoulders seemed to relax.

"But I still don't get why you said that about them not liking weddings."

"Maybe I was projecting. Maybe I wanted to keep you to myself and didn't want to share you with them." He held up his hands while my heart stuttered. "I don't know. Again, I'm sorry, Magnolia."

"It's okay," I said.

"It is?" he asked, looking at me with hope in his eyes.

"Yes." I held up a hand when he went to speak. "It's fine. I know we're trying to fool everyone, Hayden, and I'm cool with that. Just…let's promise to tell each other the truth. At least about the important things. Okay?"

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