“What is this?” I ask no one in particular, forgetting that I am sitting with an ex-celebrity personal assistant.
“It’s a gossip account,” she says with full confidence. “Seen this one before. People send them pictures so they post them on their behalf. LikeGossip Girlbut with more visuals.”
“So I’m the gossip.”
“Yes and no,” she says as she reads the caption accompanying the picture. “Looks like whoever took this photo also hunted around and found your bridal registry, so the cat is out of the proverbial bag.”
Groaning, I fold over, putting my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. “Oh, not good. Duncan is going to find out.”
“Duncan? Everyone is going to find out. And”—she points to the photo—“the people want to know where your ring is.”
Things you don’t think about when planning your quickie fake engagement. “Maybe I don’t wear it because it’s so expensive.”
“If you had one,” Bex reminds me with a chuckle.
“Yes. There’s that, too.” Taking the phone from her, I scroll through the comments, reading them. Not sure why I thought that would be a good idea, but for Future Georgie, I need someone to tell me to never do this again.
“What is this?” I point to the comments. “This person says, ‘What? She’s not even wearing makeup?’ And this one: ‘She’s not as pretty as I thought his fiancée would be.’ What is that about?”
“Ignore it,” Bex says with authority. “Keyboard warriorstrying to get a rise out of you.” She takes the phone from me. “You’re not allowed to read any more, not until you talk to Levi. I’ve been down this road so many times with Spencer and Amelia. The way the fans used to treat her when they got together was horrible. I bet you could talk to Riley about what she’s dealt with being married to one of the AHL’s most famous hockey players. It’s not for the faint of heart.”
I know she’s right, but I don’t want to deal with any of it right now. Or ever, for that matter. I sigh as my phone dings. Again.
“You just got another present delivered. Looks like a giant metal bird. An ostrich maybe?” Bex mutters as I kick my foot out. Why did I have to add that ostrich to my gift registry?
“How come no one explains to you that this is par for the course? The part where people think they know you and can talk about you like that?” Still with my head in my hands, I keep my eyes on the sidewalk as I talk. “No one told me that being a fake fiancée was going to be so mentally taxing.”
“So, it’s fake, huh?” a voice that is not Bex’s bellows.
Slowly, I raise my head, my stomach turning a million somersaults, finding Lorna standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. Of course she would be here. I saw her just two hours ago on this very street, so the likelihood of her still being in the area is…well, odds are good ‘cause she’s standing in front of me, isn’t she?
“I asked you a question,” she says, crossing her arms as she stares at me with vengeance and anger in her eyes. “Is your engagement to Levi fake?”
I start to nod but then shake my head. In the end, I choose to shrug. I feel like this could become my signature move. I'll call it the “yeah-nah-maybe.” “It’s complicated.”
“Is it, though?” she snaps.
“If she’s saying it is—” Bex begins, but I pat her knee to callher off.
I stand up, clasping my hands together in front of me. “I really don’t think we should have this conversation right now, Lorna.”
“Then when can we have it?” She unravels her arms, agitated, and puts her hands back on her hips. “If you and Levi are lying to make him look good, this won’t go down well with the judge. I can tell you that much. And what kind of example are you setting for Duncan?”
Things I’ve asked myself Lorna, but I won’t dare to say this part out loud.
I hold my hands in front of me to hold off her verbal assault. “Please. I think you should talk to Levi about this.”
“Why do that when you’re here now?” She stays where she’s planted herself, holding herself more rigidly.
I can’t do it. It’s not that I’m done, but I’m crumbling. Duncan, the social media post, the comments, the feelings for Levi and the kisses, the presents showing up and me going absolutely bonkers for all the discounts, and now this. I’m at a breaking point with this whole thing. I’m just not made for it, I guess.
We may be busted, but at least I can still stick up for my best friend. Could my words be slightly fueled by champers? Yup.
“Lorna, have you ever stopped to think that he might not be faking anything if you would just simply comply with the wishes of your son and his wife?” My voice is pleading but stern. Even as amped-up as I am on the inside, I can keep my empathy at the forefront. “Levi wants to do what’s best for Duncan, and he wants to honor Tom and Katie’s wishes. Why can’t you see that?”
“Does he think that faking his marriage is what is best for an impressionable young man?” She huffs, shaking her head. “Nope, this is ridiculous. That child needs to live with me.”
“You just want to win, don’t you?”
