Page 91 of The Perils of Pretending
Brody rubs his face with his palms. “It has to be my sister?”
“You know how hard and long I’ve searched for someone to spend the rest of my life with. No one I’ve dated comes close to Sadie.”
Brody gags, wiggles his body, and lets out a yell. “Gross. My sister and my best friend. Bleh. They’ll get married and have babies with each other. He’ll tell Sadie anything I tell him. Sadie will tell Daphne. I’m losing my relationship with my sister and my secrecy and solace with my best friend. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.”
I’m not sure if I should stop Brody from spiraling or let him get it all out. He keeps going.
“I’m going to be caught in the middle of every argument they have. I’ll have to fight for time spent with my best friend. It couldn’t have been the sexy and smart athletic trainer in college he claimed he loved. No, it’s Sadie. Sassy, silly, and driven Sadie. The sister who drives me bonkers…and makes me laugh.”
“We could be brothers,” I hedge, trying to get Brody to focus on the good parts and not tell me he hates me forever.
He stops his tirade. He looks at me like I’ve suggested we slash Grandma Sue’s tires—not Grandma Alice’s, because she deserves that. I drag in a ragged breath, waiting for him to say something.
He blinks.
So I continue. “During family parties we can hang out together without being called anti-social. When I have kids, I won’t have to pick between you and my brothers to be godparents. You’d win.”
Brody steps in front of me, jabbing a finger in my chest. “If you ever break her heart, you know I have to side with her. I don’t want to lose you.”
A slow smile spreads across my face. “She makes me happy. You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m playing for keeps.”
Brody runs a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this.” He shakes his head. “You have my blessing.”
Brody and I aren’t ones for physical affection. But this moment totally calls for it. I grab Brody and pull him into me, giving him a hug. “Thank you. I promise to do everything I can to make her safe and happy the rest of her life.”
Brody pulls away from me. “When I called and told Daphne about your plan to fake date Sadie, she told me this was going to happen. I didn’t believe her because you guys never really talked to each other whenever we got together. I should have known.”
Daphne’s a genius. I laugh. “Trust me, I was not planning on this happening either. Now that it has, I have to say it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.” Who knew some silly plan to keep Sadie away from Dorian would lead us to figuring out we belong together? It kills me that she’s been in my life for years and I couldn’t see what was in front of me. I’ve been blind to love, but no more.
Thanks to fake dating, I found the love of my life. And my happiness couldn’t be more real.
Chapter 34
Sadie
Wewalkhandinhand down the raised boardwalk in front of the shops and restaurants that look like barns and houses. They’re colorful, bright, everything up on stilts. Across the highway is the marina. Boats of all kinds bob in the water. Past the shops, tents and canopies cover the rocky beach. The area is small, but full of charm. I haven’t found anything I’m dying to buy yet, but I love seeing all the art and homemade jewelry. There’re a few bracelets I think Poppy would love. I might take one home to her since she couldn’t be with us.
Max’s grandparents said they’d be delighted to have us come up tonight. They’re excited to meet me, and Max has to return their car anyway, so it worked out perfectly. I love that Max doesn’t have to tell them our relationship started out as fake. That when he introduces me to them, he’ll be able to tell them the truth: we’re a couple.
“Oh, look at this.” I pick up a mug that says, “My heart is in Alaska.” I honestly can say I feel that way about Dad’s home state. The scenery is breathtaking and peaceful. The wildlife is fascinating and magical.
Captain Big Rack didn’t come by last night. Of course, our evening was cut short by Brody and Mom’s visit. But I’m sad I won’t get to say goodbye. He was the best moose I’ve ever met. Maybe I can find a magnet or something to remember him by.
“We should geta matching set.”
I smile like a giddy, love-sick girl. Because that’s what I am. “You’re right. We should. We can use them every night in the winter for hot chocolate. We can call it our nightly cocoa and kisses time.”
“I’m one hundred percent there for the kisses. But I don’t think I can do hot chocolate every day. It’s too sweet.”
Max had a few desserts here and there the past nine days, but for the most part he stayed away from the delicious baked goods the chefs made us. I really hope his self-control continues to be that good, because I always have a chocolate stash, cookie dough, and ice cream in the freezer. “I’m still calling it our cocoa and kisses time. Even if you don’t drink any hot chocolate.”
“Works for me.”
“Can you help me find something with a moose on it that’s cute? I want it as a reminder of Captain Big Rack. I only got one photo of him and it’s a little blurry.” Is it crazy I’m going to miss a wild animal?
“Sure.”
Max finds another mug with a moose that says “I’m not easily amoosed.” “What about this?”
