Page 16 of Kicking it with my Fake Fiancé
Jared laughed, his smile widening. “And we didn’t figure out our mistake until we served them to the whole class.”
“And Ms. Jones took a big bite and got whipped cream all over her blouse and then had to spit hers into a napkin because it was so horrible.”
We both laughed for several moments, and when I quieted, my entire body was warm from the inside out. “We tried so hard,” Jared finished. “At least Ms. Jones took it well enough and didn’t fail us.”
“I believe she said something about learning to translate more carefully. I’m glad she didn’t realize that both the word for salt and the word for sugar are practically identical in both Norwegian and English and our problem was more sixteen-year-old hubris than anything language related.”
When we were nearly at our destination, with maybe a half hour to go, Jared turned the camera on once again. “Hey, what’s your next story about?” He always asked about my work as a travel writer, and I smiled softly, appreciating his interest.
“A bed and breakfast I visited up in Andøya. I went to see the puffins and ended up staying at this place that I’d never heard of before. It was run by this older gay couple, Luca and Marco, who immigrated from Spain many years ago.”
“Really? Did you find puffins?”
A soft smile crossed my face. “I did, but what really stuck out were Luca and Marco. They were so in love. Luca smiled at Marco like nothing I’ve ever seen. One night I got up around 22:00 to take a walk and photograph the sunset, and there they were. Luca was playing his guitar for Marco, who was sipping a glass of wine and watching Luca so intently. It was like they didn’t even notice the beauty around them, because they were so focused on the beauty of their love.” I sighed quietly. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. I’ve seen so many people in love, but the way these two were sodevotedto one another…” I shook my head, realizing I was rambling.
When I glanced at Jared, his smile matched mine. “That sounds beautiful.”
“It was. I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic.” Before we could speak about it further, the GPS announced that our turn was approaching.
Jared shifted in his seat again. “I guess that means we’re almost there.”
I hummed and nodded. “Just a few minutes.”
He let out a long, slow breath. “Bring it on.”
Chapter Nine
Jared
Aswepulledupto the quaint little white farmhouse on the outskirts of Kristiansand where Matty had grown up and his mom still lived, nerves started to get the better of me. The second Matty threw the car into park, I grabbed the door handle, planning to open the door and jump out. Movement was the only thing that helped burn off my excess energy, and I’d been cooped up in the car for over three hours. I needed to move.
“Wait, wait,” Matty said, putting a hand on mine. “Don’t rush in just yet.”
“Why not?”
He raised his eyebrows and tipped his head toward the other cars waiting in the driveway. One was a van, and I recognized it as part of the production. “We need to make an entrance for the cameras.”
Frustrated, I let out a little groan and sighed. “Fine. But I need to move soon or I’m going to lose my mind.”
Matty nodded in understanding, but before we could say anything further, Steve and Brock stepped out of the production van and waved at us, looking business casual in slacks and polos, both of them. The difference was, Brock had a massive camera in one hand plus a backpack of gear. Steve, on the other hand, looked fresh-faced and his hands were empty.
I tried not to groan again, the antsy energy making my limbs tense. The problem was, I wasn’t just a ball of cooped-up energy wishing desperately I’d encouraged Matty to stop at more than one gas station. I was also worried about meeting Matty’s mom, and that worry was manifesting itself in the need to move. I wanted to make a good impression, considering we were going to be in this thing for a long time. The producers had explained in no uncertain terms that once the visa cleared and Matty had come to the US for our wedding, we’d have to stay married for at least two years before Matty was safe to stay in the US without me. If we split before then, he risked being deported. It was critical that I left a good impression on his mom. If she hated me… well, it was going to be a long two years.
Steve met us at the car, all smiles. “Alright, gentlemen. Quick check-in. Matt, how much does your mom know about this whole situation?”
Matty grimaced. “I’ve only told her we’re on a reality show, and Jared is visiting. She doesn’t know about the premise of the show, or that I’m moving to America.”
Steve’s grin reminded me of a shark—predatory, hungry, and ready to eat us alive. “Thank you for following those instructions. She knows we’re coming?”
Matty nodded. “I told her I was going to be on a TV show, but I didn’t tell her more than that.”
Steve nodded. “Perfection.” He handed us mic packs to put on and gestured at Brock, who hurried in with the camera, hauling it up on his shoulder. “Jared, how are you feeling about meeting your soon-to-be in-laws?”
I smiled brightly and tried to look casual. “I’m really excited to finally meet everyone, you know? I’ve loved Matty since we were teenagers, first as friends and then more, of course. But because of the distance, I’ve never met his family in person. Sure, I’ve seen Kasper pass by the screen on occasion, but nothing more than that.” As I mentioned Kasper, I tried to keep my tone neutral. He hated me, always had, because he thought I was a bad influence. It wasn’tmyfault that Matty and I had gotten into so much trouble when he lived with us… at least, not entirely.
“And what are you looking forward to most about meeting Ms. Solberg?”
“I can’t wait to hug her. Matty always told me how great her hugs are. I want her to know how much I want to be a part of this family.” That was the truth. I wasn’t close with my parents anymore and I missed being a part of a loving, close-knit family.
