Page 95 of Fall Fake-Out

The door to the back room opens, and Maggie Devens walks out, carrying a stack of books.

Just what I need right now.

Maggie spots us and smiles in that cunning way I hate.

“Ari and Wade. What a surprise.”

I force a cordial smile. “Maggie.”

“I just got Landrie’s wedding invitation in the mail. This must be so hard for you, but at least one of you gets your happily ever after.”

That has to be a world record for how fast a person can dish out a dig. But of course, it was wrapped in a smile and packaged as concern.

“Maybe you can catch the bouquet with all the single ladies. I’ll be pulling for you.”

I open my mouth, but before I can respond, Wade speaks.

“She better not be lining up with the single ladies.” Wade casually wraps his arm around my shoulder. It’s not the first time he’s done something like this, but it’s the first time I feel the possessiveness behind the action.

“Oh?” Maggie’s brows lift. “So the rumors are true? You two are a fling?”

“I don’t know that I’d call us a fling.” His fingers cup my shoulder, holding me close. “I’ve been pining for Ari ever since we were teenagers. This is just the first time I could convince her to give me a chance.”

The silence that follows is brief…but satisfying.

Maggie’s smile tightens almost imperceptibly. “Well, good for you two.” She looks at Wade. “Hopefully, this relationship will last longer than all your others.”

“I imagine it will.”

Wade flashes the kind of arrogant smile that has been my weakness ever since I noticed the opposite sex. I’m so thankful for him putting Maggie in her place. I don’t even care that he’s chipping away at my heart.

I can’t help the victorious grin that appears as I look back at her. “It was good to see you, but we’d better get back to the students.”

“How much do you think it would cost to get every student on the field trip an ice cream cone?” Wade’s already moved on to the next topic, like defending me cost him nothing. Like standing beside me is the most natural thing in the world.

And for the first time in a long time, I feel safe inside a relationship.

The problem is, it’s fake.

Ari

The first thing I do when I get home from school is head for the refrigerator. Teaching teenagers all week long burns an alarming number of calories. By Friday afternoon, I’m starving.

I open the fridge and grab a bag of baby carrots before wandering over to the table. Mom sits surrounded by wedding supplies. Ribbon. Tags. Tissue paper. Small glass jars. The woman has transformed wedding planning into a full-time job.

“Look at this!” She holds up a small mason jar wrapped with cream-colored ribbon. Inside is a tea light candle and a little tag that reads: Love Lights the Way with Landrie’s and Jaxon’s initials.

“Oh, that’s adorable.” I mean, it’s not my style, but it works for Landrie.

“I know.” She smiles, pleased with herself. “Landrie loves them.”

Mom sets the favor down and reaches for another ribbon. “Dad and I were going to grab a bite to eat tonight at Maple Bar and Grill. Want to come?”

“I’m going to the football game tonight with Wade.” I wait for her disapproval, but she just nods.

“Oh, yeah. I forgot there was a game tonight.”

For a few moments, the only sound is the rustling of tissue paper and my crunching carrot.