Page 71 of Fake it 'Til Christmas
“I know.”
There’s another long silence, and I break it.
“I kissed you like it meant something.Because it did.I panicked.And I ran.Because I’m fucking terrible at this.”
“At feelings?”she asks, voice too soft now.
“Yes, but also at you.”
She doesn’t say anything.“You owe me something stupid.”
“Define stupid.”
She hums like she’s thinking.“Matching costumes for Halloween for next year—this time, you don’t run away to London.”
“I’m not dressing up as a gourd, Win.”
“You did for the pictures.”
“I made an exception.”
“Go to sleep, Soren.You’re just confusing me, and I don’t think I can handle confusing when I’m going to be traveling and meeting strangers—I don’t do strangers.”
“You fake it really well,” I remind her.“I’ll call you tomorrow.Goodnight, Wolfcraft.”
“Sweet dreams, Thorn.Try not to seduce any British heiresses while I’m reorganizing the seating chart for our fake wedding.”
“No promises.”
She hangs up.
I stare at the screen for a long time after, wondering how a fake relationship can feel so fucking real.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Soren
I’m holding a damn sign.
It’s not just a sleek, minimalist placard with Winnifred’s name in tasteful font like a normal person would’ve made.Nope.This one has glitter.It sparkles.It reads:
“Welcome to Boston, Madame Wolfcraft & Emotional Support Ficus.”
Because I am, apparently, trying to get some boyfriend points.
Gretchen called in a favor with someone who was far too enthusiastic about making this happen.Did I arrive a day earlier than expected?Yes.Did I do it because I missed Win more than what’s probably emotionally healthy for a fake boyfriend?Also yes.
In my defense, there’s a nor’easter scheduled to wallop the East Coast tomorrow, and airlines are already panicking.Flights are being canceled faster than I can rationalize this sign.So yeah—I came early.To make sure I’d be the one waiting here.Right at the gate.With glitter.
I texted her an hour ago—something casual like “already here” and included a smiling face with a halo.Not sure what drove me to add the emoji, but I don’t regret it.Am I worried that she hasn’t answered?I want to believe that she didn’t connect to the Wi-fi because she was busy creating a mood board for Friendsgiving.
Was I hoping she’d text me the moment she landed and turned on her fun?Yes.That was five minutes ago, and nothing has happened yet.Knowing she’s close or that she’s happy to see me would relieve my nerves.
This place is overwhelming as fuck.
The airport smells like plane fuel, overpriced cinnamon buns, and me—oozing pre-holiday desperation.A toddler just pointed at me and said, “Clown?”Honestly, fair.I have glitter all over me.At the airline counter, the customer service rep didn’t even blink when I bought a last-minute ticket just to get past security.I’m lucky TSA didn’t pull me aside for possession of excessive sparkle.
That’s where I am now in life.Buying plane tickets I won’t use, just for five extra minutes with her.I’m about to cave and get her out of the plane myself when I spot her.
