Page 110 of A Simple Reminder
Adeline, still perched on the arm of my couch, lets out a low whistle. “Bold move,” she mutters, glancing between me and Liam. “But I’m telling you right now, two fake engagements in this friendship group are enough. Don’t even think about making me the third.”
A faint smile tugs at my lips, slowly morphing into something more unexpected. Before I knew it, I let out a wholehearted laugh, the heaviness in my chest lifting, if only for a moment. Adeline’s lightheartedness is like a breath of fresh air, cutting through whatever is in the air. Her comment draws a laugh from everyone except Lucas, whose expression remains as stony as ever.
How is he not laughing? That was hilarious.
But as the laughter fades, the weight of what’s suggested settles back in, heavier than before. An engagement.
I turn to Liam, searching for his reaction, but he’s eerily quiet. He sits across from me, elbows resting on his knees, his head bowed. It fuels the panic rising in my chest.
“And what do you think about this?” I ask him directly.
Liam lifts his head, eyes locking onto mine. “I think Lucas is right. It’s not ideal, but it’s the best way to take control of the narrative.”
I blink again, trying to process this. “So your brilliant plan is for us to fake an engagement? How long would this charade last? Weeks? Months? Until the media forgets about us?”
Lucas exhales impatiently. “This isn’t just about the media, Sophie. It’s about salvaging both your reputations and your career.”
“My career,” I repeat bitterly. ”Because nothing screams professional credibility like a fake engagement to my boss.”
Lucas’s face hardens, and he straightens his posture, arms crossed like he’s preparing for battle. “Didn’t you push your best friend into a fake engagement with me?” he snaps. “Back then, it wasn’t unprofessional, was it? And look at us now. She’s the love of my life, and I won’t have you questioning our marriage as if it were some cheap ploy.”
“That’s different,” I mutter, though I know it’s a weak defense.
Adeline claps her hands together, cutting through the tension. “Okay, before this turns into a full-blown soap opera, let’s focus. Sophie, you’re right to have doubts, but Lucas isn’t wrong. A public engagement shifts the story to your benefit and the press loves a happy ending.”
I look at her, feeling betrayed. “You’re on their side?”
“I’m onyourside,” she says firmly. “But I’m also trying to help you save your career and help you get the best outcome. I want you to be happy.”
I’d love to be engaged to Liam, but I want it to happen because he wants to marry me—not because he has to. So, I try again. I glance at Liam, my pulse stuttering. “Is this what you want?”
Liam’s eyes darken, his jaw tightening. “This isn’t just about damage control for me,” he says, his voice low but intense. “I want this. Us. I don’t care if it’s public or private—I wantyou.”
He exhales sharply, then stands. My breath catches as he moves, closing the space between us. Without hesitation, he sinks down beside me, his warmth seeping through the inches separating us. His hand finds mine, his grip firm, grounding.
I swallow hard, my heart lodging itself somewhere between my ribs. His words should calm me, should reassure me—but instead, they tangle with everything I’m feeling, twisting tight.
Anger. Fear. A dangerous flicker of hope.
And Love.
I blink down at our hands, at the way his fingers fit around mine like they belong there. Like they never stopped belonging there.
I don’t know what to do with that thought.
I pull my hand back, fingers curling into my lap as I glance at Adeline. She’s watching me carefully, her expression a mix of encouragement and quiet warning.
“I need time to think,” I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas exhales sharply, nodding once. “Take tonight. But we need to decide by tomorrow. Every minute we wait, this spirals further out of control.”
Adeline follows as he heads for the door, giving me a quick squeeze on the shoulder before she walks into her room to give us space.
That leaves me alone with Liam. He doesn’t say anything, just watches me. The weight of his gaze is suffocating. He doesn’t say a word. The silence stretches, each second dragging out like an eternity. It feels as though minutes have passed, but it’s probably only seconds.
“I’m going to bed,” I say.
“Wait.” His hand envelops mine, pulling me toward him. I stumble forward, crashing into his chest, and his arms wrap around me instinctively. The unmistakable scent of him envelops me, and I take a long inhale.