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“I…I thought I had feelings for him,” I finally admitted. “And it felt like he really saw me for me. He opened up a little bit about his own past and the struggles that he faced. I thought there might be something there…”
Her face filled with understanding. “Oh shit, Lena…I had no idea.”
“It was stupid of me to even for a moment think that it might be something more. I’m an idiot for it.”
Maeve shook her head. “No, you’re not. Falling for someone doesn’t make you an idiot. It happens. That’s really all there is to it. However…”
Uh oh.
I bit down on my lip. “However…?” I echoed her, giving her a knowing look.
“Jackson is a mess.”
“Obviously,” I said in a flat tone. “But what do you mean by that?”
“You’re so loving and sweet. When you fall for someone, you’re always there for them, no matter what. I don’t think Jackson is that kind of person. I’m worried that you’re going to end up even more hurt than you already are.”
I sighed, pulling at the tangles in my hair. “You don’t have to worry about it. I had a brief moment of thinking I felt something for him, but he quickly reminded me that I can’t stand him. It’s fine. I promise.”
At least I think I promise…
Maeve pressed her lips together tightly, studying me for a few tense moments—and then relaxed. “Okay. I know you can handle yourself. But know that the moment Jackson is too much of an idiot, I’ll totally kick him in the shins for you.”
I laughed. “Thanks. I’ll keep you on speed dial then.”
“I better already be on speed dial.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know you are.”
We went back to packing for another couple of hours, talking mindlessly about the house or work. Maeve ranted about who she wanted to invite to the wedding, and what would happen if her mom’s side had to sit next to her dad’s side. All the while, the only thing I could think about was Jackson—and the fact that once Maeve had her wedding…
The whole world would think I was Jackson’s fiancée.
They’d all think I had chosen to be with him. I had signed the NDAs and contracts. Other than Maeve, no one in my circle could know that it was just a ruse. I figured that maybe after it was all over and I got a lot of money, it’d be okay to tell my parents…
But how were they going to take the engagement?
Maybe they won’t find out.
The thought only served to give me more anxiety about it all. I didn’t want them to find out through anyone other than me—which meant that I’d probably have to tell them. Because if they were to find out from the headlines…
That would just be bad.
“Okay, I think this is good enough.” Maeve wiped her brow, setting down the last cardboard box full of knickknacks. “If I missed anything I can just come back for it some other time.”
I nodded. “That’s fine. We’ve been living together so long, I’m not always sure about whose is whose.”
Maeve’s face softened. “I know. It’s going to be so weird.”
“But it’ll be okay. I’m happy for you. I am.” As much as I thought what she was doing was borderline insane, I was happy that she was happy. I wanted it all to work out for her. “But just so you know,” I added. “I will kick Tyson in the shins if I need to. I have no qualms about it.”
Maeve giggled. “Oh, I know. I can’t count the times you’ve threatened my past boyfriends. But…” Her eyes went starry. “I know this time is different for me. I know Tyson’s the one. I don’t even know how I know. I just do.”
“Good,” I managed to say, glancing down at my phone on the coffee table. I’d kind of expected to hear something from Jackson after planning to become his fake fiancée, but nope…nothing.
“So, speaking of all this,” Maeve began, grabbing my attention. “Tyson wants me to have a bachelorette party. He’s going to do something with the band, and I know it’s last minute…so, he hired someone to plan it for us. He knows that you have enough going on.”
“Oh?”
