Page 68 of Summer Kisses

"Well, now that you're thinking about it, what do you think about the possibility?"

"I don't want to move away. Dalton is having a baby. We've always been close."

"So you'd stay here, even if you were my husband?"

"Well, no. I don't know." He looked at me helplessly. "But I work for my family here."

"But there's only one library in town. If it closes, or I get fired?—"

Brady's jaw tightened. "You won't get fired."

"I still think we should consider the possibility."

He scrubbed a hand over his face. "I thought this was a game. We're only pretending to be together. We don't have to have the answers for every hypothetical scenario."

Technically, he was right, but his insistence that we weren't real hurt. I'd hoped he'd started to see our relationship differently. "You have the income from your show. Technically you could work anywhere."

"Yeah, but my family is counting on me to work in the business, and Dalton needs me."

Maybe Brady was just holding onto his dependence because it satisfied a need inside him to take care of his brother. I think he could transfer that need to me, but not if he wasn't interested in doing so. My brain hurt.

"I think we've done enough for tonight. She's only going to ask the fluff stuff about when we met, first kiss. People are curious about us. That's all."

"Yeah, you're probably right." If we were real, I would have insisted on coming up with a solution to that question because it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. The library's budget could change at any time, and I was just the children's librarian. I was expendable if there was a downturn in funding.

I rested my head on Brady's chest, my hand over his heart, which was beating steadily underneath my palm. We'd had a great first date. There was no need to rush on the other details. The engagement wasn't real. I didn't need to put extra pressure on us.

The next morning started off with a panic about an issue with the flower delivery. I showered, ate quickly, and then met with Elena to ensure everything was ready for the party. We still had to hang the lanterns and ensure the cake and the flowers arrived on time.

It was a whirlwind day, and I didn't talk to Brady at all. I was still feeling off-kilter after our conversation last night. No matter how many times I told myself that his answer shouldn't matter, that I should give him time to think about it, I couldn't shake that feeling that Brady wasn't all in with me.

It was hard to believe things weren't real given our date last night and the engagement party we were planning today. It took most of the afternoon to get the lanterns hung. Elena ensured the flowers were delivered and set on the tables as centerpieces.

The cake arrived and was placed on a table toward the front of the room. Everything about the evening was perfect: the view of the ocean, the lanterns glowing in the waning sunlight. I just wished this were real. I wondered if it would be wise to think of the night as our real engagement party.

What would it hurt to let it be real for one more night? Give into the fantasy of us?

I went home to get ready, but Brady had left a note that he was with his brothers and would meet me at the party since he didn't know what time I'd be home. He could have asked. I guess I could have reached out to him too. It's just, things felt weird after our conversation last night.

I wasn't sure we were on the same page, but then again, was it required when you were faking the relationship?

I got ready and then drove to the party, feeling more than a little off. I was arriving at my engagement party without my fiancé. Maybe it was Brady's way of reminding me that this was fake.

I pasted a smile on my face as I greeted everyone. Whenever anyone asked where Brady was, I said, "He'll be here soon."

I hoped he would be. We were the guests of honor after all. Right before I was going to text and ask where he was, he and his brothers arrived. I waited for them to greet everyone.

"You're just in time for pictures, and then we'll do a little game," Grandma said when Brady reached us.

I'd hoped for some time to talk to him, but I guessed that wasn't going to happen. The photographer, Carl, led us outside to the beach where he directed us to take off our shoes. I wore a simple white dress. Brady wore tan slacks and a white button-down. It was casual yet completely appropriate for the beach setting.

He directed us through a few poses where we were close, gazing into each other's eyes. He even had us kiss so he could snap a few photos as the sun was setting. It was a gorgeous backdrop, but I wasn't sure what I'd do with the pictures if we weren't together. Would they be a memory of what could never be?

For one pose, I stood in front of Brady, his arms wrapped around me. He dipped his head while the photographer fiddled with the lighting. "I'm sorry about last night."

I squeezed his hand. "It's all right."

Before he could say anything further, Carl raised his camera. "Brady, stand up straight. Hazel, press against your fiancé. Remember, you're in love, and this is your party to celebrate with friends."

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