Page 44 of Away With You
The finality in his voice jolts me.In saying no to St. Lucia, am I saying no to everything?
“You don’t need me to be your fake girlfriend at all?”
He runs his large hand over his face. “It’s probably best to stop the madness now. Before my mother gets invested and insists I bring you to the wedding. This way, I still have plausible deniability. I can assure her we’re just friends who went out to dinner. If we continue with the charade, it’ll make everything harder.”
I swallow a gulp that is filled with regret. “Okay, whatever is easier for you.”
His cerulean eyes linger on my face. “Thanks for playing along, anyway, Kitty Kat.”
My heart races as he walks towards the door, and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from asking him to stay. My entire body is revolting at the idea of letting him leave. Of letting him down. And yet I can’t bring myself to grant him this favour. It feels like too much. Like I’d be setting myself up for a whole heap of trouble; starting and ending with my heart broken into itty bitty pieces.
“Good luck with your experiments, Katie,” he says with a small wave. “If I end up going to St. Lucia, I’ll bring you home a snow globe.”
A zap of electricity runs down my spine, and I’ve taken five steps towards him before I even register it. “Wait!” I cry out. His hand pauses on the door handle. His broad back tenses under his jacket, and he seems to hold his breath.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll do it. I’ll go away with you.”
He turns with an enormous smile that settles every one of my nerves.This is a good thing, I hear my mum whisper in my ear.
“You’ll do it? You’ll come away with me as my girlfriend?”
I nod quickly before I can change my mind again. “Yes, I’ll do it. I’ll be your date for the wedding. As yourfakegirlfriend.”
And just like that, I feel the trajectory of my life changing. And funnily enough, I don’t regret it one little bit.
MONDAY
KATIE
Did yesterday really happen?
Did I really agree to going to St. Lucia with you?
As your girlfriend?
NATHAN
Yes.
Yes.
And, yes.
KATIE
How did I let this happen?
NATHAN
I believe there were bribery dumplings involved…
TUESDAY
KATIE
Success!
Western Blot worked!
