Page 21 of Bad Crush
Her face lights up. “That’s where I know you. The Christmas play was beautiful. You looked like a real angel up there.”
“Thank you so much.”
Adam grins down at me. “Reagan’s ridiculously talented.”
My face warms.
“It was wonderful to meet you, Reagan. Adam, good to see you again. I’m afraid I have to make my apologies. My husband is beckoning from across the room.” She points and Adam and I swivel to find him. He’s staring in our direction but otherwise, I can’t make out any cry for help. He’s standing slightly outside a large group of men, with a drink in hand. By all outward appearances, he seems to be okay. Maybe a little bored.
“Wait for it. He’ll tug his right ear every time I make eye contact.”
Sure enough, he reaches up and gives his ear a pull when Dr. Hunt looks up.
“We came up with that trick years ago to save each other. He’s not much for these types of events. I imagine he’s had all he can take.” Her smile softens. “Great to see you both.”
We watch her cross the room. Adam chuckles when the man lifts his hand to the guys, clearly indicating his departure. “That’s awesome. If I tug my ear, can we get the hell out of here?”
“Afraid not.”
He scrunches up his face. “No fair.”
“Come on, who’s next?”
“Dr. Salco just walked in. She’s the head of the committee.”
“Great. Lead the way.”
Dr. Salco is a woman in her mid to late fifties, by my best guess. Her brown hair is stick straight and falls just below her chin. Her features are sort of pinched and not exactly welcoming, but she does smile as Adam and I step in front of her.
“You made it. Very good.” Her gaze moves from Adam to me.
I smile big, ready to win this woman over.
“Dr. Salco, this is Reagan, my f—” He stops, catching himself before saying friend. There’s an awkward beat of silence while he fumbles to correct himself.
“Fiancée.” The lie slips from my lips so smoothly. I step closer and rest my head on Adam’s shoulder, just like I’ve thought about doing so many times. In these heels, I’m just the right height to do it.
Adam makes a strangled sound and then turns his body away while he composes himself. He tries to cover his reaction by taking a drink.
I smile sweetly at Dr. Salco.
“Fiancée?” She looks from Adam back to me, eyes widening. “I didn’t realize you were engaged, Adam. Congratulations.”
He swallows, then starts coughing. Oh dear god, I may have killed him. Miraculously, he clears his throat and then his arm slides around my waist. He opens his mouth like he might want to speak, but then just nods.
My confident fiancé looks like he’s about to break a sweat. Maybe I’ve gone too far, but since I’ve jumped over the cliff, I do it with flair.
“It’s recent, but I’ve been in love with this man for years. The first time I saw him, I just knew.”
Dr. Salco is hanging on my every word, so I keep going, telling her how I crushed on Adam from afar. I do love a captivated audience. Part reality with a dash of drama. The script is juicy, and my costar is the most handsome leading man, if not a bit shy on stage.
We’ve swapped personalities, it seems. He’s stopped coughing though, so that’s a plus.
And as Dr. Salco and I talk, more people gather around. That’s the thing about a good performance: it tends to draw a crowd.
“That is quite a story,” Dr. Salco says. She’s not much of a smiler, but her eyes are kind and I think I’ve sold her.
Taking a sip of my drink, I finally stop talking and lean into Adam. It’s easy to look like you’re in love when you basically are.
