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“Um, no he didn’t mention,” I mumble, biting my lip. “I thought Brent just bought it at a jewelry store.”

“Oh no,” Mary laughs. “This was my great-great-grandmother’s ring. It’s been passed down through generations of my family, and I used to wear it all the time as a girl, but Frank bought me a ring when we were engaged, and I’ve worn that instead for the last thirty years instead.” She holds up her hand to show me an enormous blue opal on her ring finger. “But I always kept this one for one of my sons. To be honest, I had no idea that Brent would finally take me up on the offer because I thought it was still in the safe, but no matter. It looks perfect on you, honey,” she says with a smile.

My cheeks begin to burn because I shouldn’t be wearing a family heirloom. The Carsons have no idea, but I’m not going to be a real bride, and this isn’t right.

“Oh well, it’s a beautiful ring,” I say in a faint tone. “If you’d like it back, I can give it to you. In fact, I’m sure Brent would be happy to buy me a new one. Here,” I say, slipping the ring from my finger and offering it to Mary. “It’s yours.”

At that, Brent spins and pins me with a look, those blue eyes frowning. But Mary merely refuses, folding my fingers around the enormous diamond. “Oh no, it’s yours, my dear. I couldn’t be happier to know that the ring will continue to be passed down through the generations of our family. Besides, it fits you wonderfully, as if it was meant to be.” Mary smiles and sighs, as if picturing me as a fairy tale bride, and I’m stricken by this reaction, because clearly his family has no idea I’m a fake. I knew that acting was part of the deal of course, but I didn’t realize his family would be so nice. Plus, what’s this thing about an heirloom gem? Suddenly, I’m shaky and a faint sweat breaks out on my brow. Of course, by now Brent’s gone back to talking to his father, and doesn’t look concerned at all. On the contrary, he’s leaning back in his seat while calmly sipping his scotch although he pauses to give me a wicked smile.

“I’m glad you approve of my bride, Mom. As soon as I saw Sansa, I knew that the ring would be perfect for her,” he shares.

“Yes, she is perfect, isn’t she?” Mary says with a smile. “Don’t you agree, Neal?” But clearly, Brent’s brother isn’t so easily fooled and he leans forward, one black lock falling over his eye.

“So how did you two meet?” Neal probes with a not-so-innocent look.

I lock up. We prepared this answer in advance, but I panic and freeze. Thankfully, Brent intervenes.

“We met at the bar of the Hotel Verve. I was there for a drink after work one evening, Sansa walked in, and well, the rest is history.”

“Really?” Neal asks, one brow raised. “When was this? How long have you known each other?”

At this question, I choke but Brent’s completely unperturbed.

“We met just a few weeks ago, but like I said, it was love at first sight. When you meet the one, Neal, you just know. And as soon I saw Sansa, I knew she was the one and I only hope the same happens to you one day, little brother.” I can’t help but smile at the genuine tone in Brent’s voice, but then stop short. It’s fake, the voice inside my head chides. He’s just pretending.

Yet, my fiancé’s obviously an excellent actor because his mother wipes a tear from her eye and turns to her husband.

“Do you remember Frank?” she asks in a soft tone. “That’s what happened with us too. You saw me at that restaurant and then a month later, we were married! And now, it’s been forty years.”

Frank chortles and squeezes his wife’s hand, the two of them like lovebirds. I beam a little because I’d love to be like the Carsons some day. But then Frank raises his glass in the air.

“How about a toast?” he proclaims. “To the new couple. May you enjoy married life, and have a passel of children to drive you crazy. I’m just kidding, kids are the best,” the older man jokes. “I have you and Neal after all.”

“No worries, Dad,” Brent says, pulling me close before pressing a kiss to my temple. “I plan on getting Sansa knocked up right away. She doesn’t know what’s coming for her.”

I freeze in the circle of his arms even as my face smiles. What? Children? But then, I force myself to remember that this is a role, even if it feels all too real. I’m going to have to get a stiff drink after this dinner is over, just to relax.

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