Page 70 of Signed, I'm Yours!
Jack stares at me, unable to utter a word against me, and I can’t because my mouth is full. If it were up to me, I’d keep it full for the rest of the day, but this whole situation is my fault, and I owe it to them. And to Jack.
I put my hand up and try to swallow as quickly as possible before I address them all. “It’s not what it sounds like. Really.”
“Really? What does it sound like? Because it sounds like our best friend has hidden a fiancé and now a party from his best friends.” Zeke crosses his arms and stares right at me.
Oh great. We’re back to me being the enemy. But I deserve it, so I can’t be mad about it.
“It’s not like that at all. We’re…we’re only doing it to shut up some work colleagues. We’re not even anywhere close to getting married.”
“Oh, is that the case?” Zeke arches an eyebrow, and I’m not sure if I’ve made things worse or not.
“You guys are more than welcome, of course. But honestly, it’s not even going to be anything fancy.”
“Of course we’ll come,” Annie says, staring at everyone else as if daring them to say otherwise. “We want to be there for our friend, even if it’s a nothing party.”
“That’s it. A nothing party. Like you said,” I tell her, and Jack awkwardly smiles at them.
I can’t even imagine how much he hates me for what I’m putting him through. For the rift I’m causing between him and hisfriends. But he has an excuse, and if I have to, I’ll tell them as such when all this is over. Preferably by email and from far, far away, where no one can find me, especially Jack. Because no matter how happy one can be, I’m sure forcing them to betray their friends’ trust is something to be angry about.
Maybe Thailand. I haven’t been in forever. It’s nice this time of year.
“So, when is this nothing party?” Robin asks.
CHAPTER 14
JACK
“Well, I’ve got to give it to you, Kevin. This is great.”
Seojun’s apartment looks more luxurious if that is even possible. The end where the dining table had been up until yesterday is now occupied by a string quartet dressed to the nines and entranced by their own music. In the middle of the living room, there’s now an ice sculpture of two swans forming a heart with their necks and beaks. There are flowers everywhere I turn, from the windows to the walls to the floor, but the most impressive features are the champagne and chocolate fountains taking center stage and making this party feel as expensive as it probably is.
“Thank you, sir.” Kevin bows for me, but I shake my head.
“You can call me Jack. I’m not your boss.”
“I’m sorry, si—Jack.”
A girl in a ponytail, white shirt, and black skirt approaches me with a tray and presents the food.
“Caviar and salmon blinis?”
I carefully lift one of the beautifully presented canapés and take a small bite.
It tastes horrible, but seeing as both Kevin and the server are staring at me, I shove the rest of it in my mouth and pretend to enjoy it.
Rich fishy food has never been my cup of tea. I wonder if it’s Seojun’s. We’ve been stuck together for five days so far, and while he’s eccentric, he hasn’t struck me as a food snob. Besides, he only seems to be particular when we’re out and about trying to find the answers he’s looking for. If anything, he’s like a puppy at home. Which is probably why Shuga is obsessed with him.
After dinner at Lily and Annie’s, I couldn’t burden my friends with looking after my pet any longer, especially since it was only raising more scrutiny about my relationship with Seojun than we needed.
I hated lying to them, but these were extenuating circumstances, seeing as I couldn’t spill the truth to them no matter how hard I tried. I just hope they’ll understand and forgive me when all this is over.
If it’s ever over.
Seojun has never signed for anything that lasted this long, so we’re officially in uncharted territory. We’ve actually been in uncharted territory from day two, but now it isofficiallyofficial.
As more and more people arrive, more and more servers offer food and drinks to the guests clustering in smaller groups. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was a genuine engagement party.
“How did you manage all this in two days?” I ask Kevin, who stands in the corner admiring his handiwork while wearing the most unflattering attire. White chinos a size too big, a pink sweater vest over a white shirt, and pink shoes.
