Page 122 of Peaks and Promises

“I knew it,” Melanie said.

“You guys do seem so much like a real couple,” Penelope said. “It’s hard to imagine it’s all pretend.”

“No, it is,” I said. “It’s still fake.”

“You sure about that?” Melanie asked.

No. Not sure at all. “Yes, I’m sure. He’s not staying.”

“Maybe he wasn’t going to stay, but he’ll change his mind,” Penelope suggested.

“I very seriously doubt it,” I said. “Sleeping with him doesn’t mean I can keep him. I’m aware of that.”

Melanie groaned. “Why are the Haven men so stubborn?”

“They really are, aren’t they?” Penelope agreed.

“And why does it take them so long to figure it out?” Melanie continued. “He has everything he needs right here. You’re literally sleeping next to him every night. And he loves your son, too, which is so cute I can hardly stand it.”

I let out a long sigh, trying to ignore the way my ovaries twinged. “He’s so amazing with Nate. And Nate looks at him like he’s Superman. I almost wish they weren’t bonding the way they are. Nate’s going to be devastated when he leaves.”

“I have a feeling he’s not the only one,” Melanie said.

I shook my head. “When he suggested we pretend to be a couple, I thought it was such a good idea. What a great way to stay hidden. I did not expect my feelings to get involved.”

“Or your lady garden.” Melanie pointed downward.

Penelope giggled.

“That, too. But here we are. I’m living with him, sleeping with him, sharing parenting responsibilities with him… And now I’m in his brother’s wedding. This is all weird, right? Normal people don’t do things like this.”

“Weird is relative.” Penelope shrugged.

“That’s so true,” Mel added. “Besides, you’re living in a town with an organization called the Squirrel Protection Squad. Weird is what we do.”

The clerk came back with an armful of dresses for us to try. She brushed past me to hang mine on the hook and put the rest in the adjacent fitting room for Melanie.

I went into the fitting room and closed the door. Before trying on any of the dresses, I checked the price tags. Wince. Another wince. Slightly smaller wince. Much bigger wince. I took a deep breath. I could afford it. Barely. It would mean being extra careful with my tips for the next month. But I’d make it work.

Melanie and I talked through the fitting room wall and put the dresses in order so we could try them on at the same time. The first was the most expensive, and I slipped it on, hoping it wouldn’t fit. It wasn’t bad, but when Melanie and I stepped out to show Pen, we all agreed we could do better.

After trying on all four, we decided the third dress looked best on both of us. It had spaghetti straps and a cowl neck that helped contain my bust, and the fabric had enough give that it hugged my curves without pulling too tight. I could walk, sit, and cross my legs comfortably.

I had to admit, it flattered my body. And it looked gorgeous on Melanie, too.

“We definitely have a winner,” Melanie said, turning to look at her reflection over her shoulder. “This makes my butt look incredible. I like it even better than the original dress.”

“It does look beautiful on you,” Penelope said. “You too, Summer. I love that on you.”

I glanced down at myself. “Thank you. It fits nicely.”

Melanie looked me up and down. “If that dress doesn’t make Reese think twice, I don’t know what will.”

“Stop.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s fine. Reese can do what he needs to do. He’s literally saving us from my ex. I can’t ask more of him.”

“I can’t wait for your real wedding,” Melanie said wistfully. “Just don’t choose dusty rose for the bridesmaid dresses. Or dusty anything. I look best in bolder colors, and so does Pen.”

“Did you hear the part where I said our relationship isn’t real and Reese isn’t going to stay?” I asked.