Page 52 of My Silver Lining

“Thank you for being so understanding. I think you should know that this is all my fault,” Lulu said, and I could tell that she was about to confess because she looked over at me and gave me that look.

“Stop. It’s not your fault.” I grabbed her hand beneath the table and squeezed it. “Listen, it’s still fairly new. Lulu just moved here for a few months. We didn’t want the added pressure. So let’s just not read into it too much and see what happens.”

My father nodded as he reached for his wine glass and took a sip. “I couldn’t agree more. The last thing you need is pressure. So, tell us about your jewelry business. Henley was filling us in on how talented you are.”

“Thank you. I love it. I’ve designed every piece that we sell, and we were just picked up by a big department store in Paris called Luxe. I’ll be moving there in a few months, as the jewelry market is booming there, and I’ve got a team here in the US that can oversee everything.”

My mother’s brows cinched together, and I could see the wheels turning. They thought we were dating. If they read everything on the internet, I’d boasted about being in love with her. And now she was moving to another country.

“You’re moving there permanently?” my mother asked.

“I love to travel,” Lulu said, glancing over at me in panic. “So, I’ll be back and forth quite a bit. I just want to get the office there off the ground.”

“It’s amazing,” I said. “Seeing what you’ve created. That you’ve taken a design from a drawing to an actual piece of jewelry, and you’ve got your pieces in stores all over the world. That’s something, Wildcat.”

“Thank you. I’m thrilled about all of it. I’m working on a few new designs while I’m here, and with all this snow, it gives me plenty of time to sit down and draw,” she chuckled.

“I love that you can just see something and then put it on paper before making it come to life,” my mother said. She held up her wrist, showing us the dainty gold and jade bracelet she was wearing. “I bought this in New York last year when Keaton and I were on vacation and didn’t even realize that it was your company until this morning. Does this mean that you designed this piece?”

Lulu’s smile spread clear across her face. “That is actually one of our best sellers. It’s the first piece that I ever designed, so it’s very special to me.”

“I remember when you saw it,” my father said. “She lit up and couldn’t stop looking at it. I had the lady wrap it up and surprised her after she’d left to use the restroom.”

“You’ve still got the moves, Dad,” I laughed. “Very smooth.”

“You’re very talented, Lulu. And Henley has told us so much about you. We’re just thrilled that you and Rafe have found your way to one another.” She held up her hands and smiled. “No pressure. I’m glad you two are enjoying your time together.”

“Very subtle, Mom.” I shook my head and winked at her.

We spent the next two hours talking and laughing. My parents were the best people I knew, and Lulu seemed to be very comfortable with them as the dinner went on.

She fit right in.

It didn’t matter if it was real or fake.

Because in this moment, there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

Than sitting right here next to my fake girlfriend.

fourteen

. . .

Lulu

“I knowthings are a little messier than you planned, but I think it’s actually okay,” Henley said, as she lay next to me in the oversized king bed.

The snow had continued to fall, and I was over it.

I was also over the mess that I made. The mess that I dragged Rafe and his family into.

My best friend’s boyfriend’s family.

So, this morning when I woke up to news that Beckett had decided to use his social media platform to speak to millions of his fans about how heartbroken he was to hear the news that I was in a serious relationship, I called my best friend immediately in a full-blown panic.

Things would be even bigger now.

My family was well-known. People were interested in the Sonnet family.

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