Page 72 of Fall Fake-Out

His brows lower. “So, basically, you want me to do nothing?”

Exactly.

Don’t do anything that will blur the lines.

This is me controlling the situation, making sure this fake relationship stays fake. And my mom thinks I’m not responsible. Ha! If only she could see me now.

I lift my chin. “There’s going to be a lot of people there tonight. It will take a lot to convince them that this is a real relationship, and it’s not like you’re a professional actor.”

“And you are?”

“No, but I did dabble in community theatre in sixth grade.”

“I remember that. You were a chimney sweep in Newsies, right?”

“Correct.” I purse my lips, not sure how to feel about the fact that Wade remembers the exact role I played in my two-month stint in acting fifteen years ago. I would expect someone to remember Landrie’s history onstage. Every pageant she’s won or talent show she’s entered. But not me. Wade remembering this tiny detail feels big in a way that’s scary. I can’t allow myself to get hung up on it, so I move on. “So, yeah, less is more from you in this situation tonight.”

“Got it.” He nods. “Follow your lead. Low profile. Less is more.”

He pulls his truck into the church parking lot. The party is in the activity room attached to the church because we’re small town like that.

“Good.” I draw in a breath—this is going to be fine—and swing open my car door.

Within two seconds of entering the party, Wade completely abandons the plan.

“Mayor Monroe!” he booms like he’s arriving at a family reunion instead of a birthday party. “Brought this for you.” He hands the mayor a wrapped present from out of his pocket.

Noah Monroe looks delighted. “The invitation said no presents allowed.”

“It’s nothing.” He reaches for his daughter’s hand. “Juliet, good to see you again. It’s been a long time.”

“Good to see you too.” Juliet smiles at us both, I think a bit confused to see us together. She gives me a quick side hug. “Landrie said you’ve moved back home for the wedding.”

It wasn’t for the wedding, but sure, let’s let my sister’s friend think that.

“That’s my girl.” Wade puts his arm around my shoulder, hugging me to him. He looks down at me with fake tenderness. “That’s one of the things I love about her. She’s such a good sister to Landrie.” There’s an overdone smile before he releases me and starts walking farther into the room. “Let’s go find our table. I told Sadie to save us a seat.”

I stare at the back of Wade’s head in horror.

Low profile.

I said low profile.

Instead, he’s operating at golden retriever-meets-political-candidate energy, shaking every hand in the room, high-fiving everyone. It’s like Wade is the most popular guy in the room, which is crazy. For someone everyone claims is trouble, people seem genuinely happy to see him.

Jaxon appears, carrying a drink. “There he is.”

“My guy.” Wade points at him dramatically before pulling him into one of those aggressive male shoulder-grab hugs that involve smacking backs hard enough to dislodge organs.

Sadie walks over too, grinning immediately. “This is so fun!”

“This,” I mutter to myself, “is a nightmare.”

No one hears me….because Wade is still performing as if there’s an Academy Award on the line.

He turns suddenly, looking at me like he just remembered I exist. “Baby cakes.”

That’s the exact moment my soul shrivels to nothing.