Page 10 of Rosé with My Fake Fiancé
“Oh yes,” Yumi responds, flipping her hair again. “I mean, yes, but also, no. People are going to say that it’s too soon. But, like, when you know, you know. Honestly, it doesn’t matter how long it’s been when you find your perfect match.”
There’s a moment of dead air, and Yumi has the audacity to try to console Tessa. “Plenty of women get married for the first time at your age.”
Tessa smiles, or bares her teeth, I can’t tell which. “I kind of hate her,” Tessa mutters in French under her breath. I grin, and it’s not fake at all. I like this development.
Tessa’s clearly hurt, and James is sosmug, but I’ve got an idea.
I whisper to her in French, “What do you say we burn bridges and go down in–what does Bon Jovi say? A blaze of glory?”
She eyes me, a flicker of amusement on her face.
I squeeze Tessa closer to me, and say, in English, to James and Yumi, who’ve been watching us with more and more irritation, “It’s a shame you didn’t take advantage of the fireworks last night like I did.”
Yumi’s brows clinch together. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” I say, looking at Tessa with as much affection as I can—not having to fake it all that much, to be honest. She looks at me, confused, but something in my grin—mischief, I would guess—has her slowly grinning back at me. “I proposed last night under the fireworks. You know, they do that show in the summer where the tower lights up and then the pyrotechnics start.”
Tessa coughs to hide a laugh as both James and Yumi look at us in shock. “But,” Yumi flusters, eyes darting down to look at Tessa’s hands. “Where’s your ring?”
“Oh,” I say. “My grandmother begged me to use her ring to propose. She just loves Tessa so much. And who doesn’t?” I say with a chuckle. “Can you believe my grandmother was so excited to give Tessa the ring her mother hid in a loaf of bread when she escaped Nazi Germany?” That part’s true. “Of course, it’s not the same diamond anymore. My grandad replaced it with a bigger one in the sixties.” That part isn’t true. “Anyway, the ring doesn’t quite fit right. It needs to be resized, so we thought it best not to walk around Paris with something so important if it might slip right off her finger.”
James and Yumi stare at us, so I just keep rolling. I’m good on my feet, as many of my jobs require. “We can certainly relate to people thinking it’s quick. You are so right, Yumi.” I emphasize this by squeezing Tessa’s shoulder. I look down at her and find that I don’t have to lie with this part. “When you know, you know.”
I speak to Tessa in French. “How long have we been dating, my darling?” I say it warmly and bend my head down to nuzzle her.
Tessa answers, also in French. “Hmmm... four months? Just after James and I broke up, that sack of shit.”
I throw my head back and laugh, switching back to English. “We’ve been together four months, and I just know she’s the one.” I shrug like I can’t help falling in love with her.
Yumi frowns, but I don’t let her speak.
“James, Yumi, it was lovely to meet you, but I must sweep my future bride off her feet this evening while we celebrate our engagement at dinner. Last night we were too busy celebrating in a different way.” I wink at James, and he glowers. I bend over, picking up both bags of books in one hand and then slinging my other arm over Tessa’s shoulder, guiding her away from her ex.
“Au revoir,” Tessa calls with a wave and keeps talking in French. “Good luck dealing with his mother. I bet she hates you, and that’s why you don’t have his grandmother’s ring!”
Tessa threads her fingers through mine at her shoulder, and we can barely contain ourselves as we walk away. Once we round the corner to the elevators, Tessa launches herself at me.
I laugh and drop the books, wrapping my arms around her waist, her exuberance overwhelming. She kisses my face all over, lips included, and I’m so shocked I squeeze her harder, so I don’t drop her. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. That was amazing! James was such a smug little shit, he totally deserved to be put in his place.” She slides down, still laughing, and rests her forehead on my chest. Her grip on my shirt is tight, and I’m just glad she’s breathless with laughter instead of heartbroken.
5
Tessa
Oh my god,oh my god, oh my god. One-upping James felt so freaking good. Cathartic. Yes, it sucks that he’s marrying her, but it was so satisfying to see his little bubble pop.
Luc was perfect. So perfect. He was warm and affectionate and knew right where to hit James.
I was also a bit shocked that James proposed with a ring that wasn’t his grandmother’s. I remembered the day, a year ago, perhaps, when James’ mom, Veronica, had pulled me into her husband’s office and opened the safe. “This ring has been in our family for four generations. Originally it was my great-grandmother’s, and she was a Vanderbilt,” she told me. “Someday, James will give you this ring, and then you’ll be the daughter I always wanted.” She had squealed with delight, and the ring was beautiful, and I was so in love with James at the time.
Lying about my relationship with Luc was so petty, but it felt so good. Being dumped by James made me feel powerless, and here I was, reclaiming some power back. All because I had Luc by my side.
The elevator dings, and Luc holds my shoulders, turning me around and guiding me in. I’m still laughing as I press the button for my floor.
“I’m sorry,” I say, pulling out my phone and waving it. “Ihaveto text my friends and tell them.” Luc grins and leans against the wall.
Tessa
James is engaged. Just ran into him in the hotel. He proposed at the EIFFEL TOWER.
