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Her face suddenly grows serious, and something flashes between us. A quick flicker of understanding, the shared knowledge that what we’re doing here is more than just show.
There’s some truth to it as well.
Clearing my throat, I look down at my phone.
“Remember this one?” I ask, showing her the video of a kitten clumsily trying to climb a tree.
“Ah, that one never gets old,” she says with a chuckle.
“Neither does this one,” I say, playing a video of a dog trying to catch its own tail.
We continue laughing together, our shared sense of humor bringing us closer than before. In the midst of it all, my thoughts drift to the reason I brought her here tonight.
My nerves threaten to bubble up, but I remind myself that this is all part of the act. It’s not real, and yet… somehow… it feels more genuine than anything I’ve ever experienced before.
It must be because Lily is my friend, unlike all the women I’ve enjoyed flings with. Our relationship might be fake, but our connection, our laughter, the easy way we can spend hours together just watching silly videos — all of that is real.
A woman at a nearby table nudges her friend and nods at us, and I become aware of the curious gazes from other patrons at the rooftop bar.
We’ve been recognized. Yet again.
But let them stare.
Unlike what is usually the case, I actually don’t care all that much.
After all, who wouldn’t be envious of the man sitting across from such an incredible woman? The fact that she is soon to be my “fiancée” feels like both a victory and a curse — a thrilling game we’re playing together.
“Having fun?” I ask her, leaning in closer as our laughter subsides.
“Absolutely. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much.”
“Neither can I,” I confess, though I’m not certain if I’m referring to our shared evening or the years of friendship that have led us here.
Regardless, I know I need to move things forward to cement the illusion of our romance in the eyes of the world.
“Come here,” I say softly, sliding my chair closer to hers until our thighs touch.
Her warmth seeps through the fabric of my pants, and a shiver runs up my spine. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer still, and try to ignore the way my heart races when her body presses against mine.
“Is this okay?” I whisper into her ear, my breath stirring her hair.
“Of course,” she murmurs back, nestling into my embrace. “It’s just for show, right?”
“Right,” I agree, although I can’t shake the nagging sensation that it’s becoming harder to discern what’s real and what’s make-believe between us.
“Isn’t this view amazing?” She looks out at the city bathed in twilight. I follow her gaze, taking in the breathtaking panorama before us.
“Almost as amazing as you.”
I shouldn’t have said that, but it’s like I didn’t have control of the words leaving my lips.
She blushes, and again, my opinion changes. I would say the wrong thing a hundred times more if I got to see Lily turn pink like this.
“Flatterer.” She playfully nudges me with her elbow.
“Only when it’s true,” I reply, unwilling to back down.
Our eyes lock, and for a moment, the world fades away, leaving just the two of us suspended in time.
