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“For a night out with the boys, of course.”
I pale. “You…you’re going out tonight?”
“Of course, I am.” He stares. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“You’re going out with the boys on the same day as the announcement of your engagement?”
“So?”
“if anyone finds out, that’ll result in negative PR.”
“No one’s gonna find out. Besides, what’s so special about getting engaged, anyway?”
I gape. “You’re asking me that? You…you…”
“You’re referring to what happened earlier, I take it?” he drawls.
“Yes, I’m referring to the fact that you put a ring on my finger a few hours ago. Not to mention, that heartfelt speech—"
“Oh, that? It was good, eh?”
My heartbeat slows, then speeds up again. “Wh-what do you mean by that?”
“I put it together from random declarations of love I picked up from the internet. Full points to me for stringing them together in an intelligible fashion. It made quite an impact; don’t you think?”
My hands and legs tremble. A cold sensation engulfs me. I feel like I’ve been knocked out of my body and am watching the entire scene unfold in front of me from a distance.
“So…so… What you said… You didn’t mean it?”
“Fooled you, eh?” He laughs. The bastard throws his head back and laughs. “I must have done a bloody good impersonation of a lovelorn fool to take in, not only the journalists, but also you. I’m a bloody good actor, eh? Maybe I should speak to Declan and get a role in his forthcoming movie, huh?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I try to focus my brain, focus on stringing together the words that are floating around somewhere in my head to make a coherent sentence, but nothing makes sense.
“So that entire proposal was—"
“Fake.” His smile widens. “A fake proposal for a fake relationship. Good, eh?”
I nod numbly.
“This is what I love about you Abby; you’re such a good sport. I knew you’d come through for me. You played your part so well, you had everyone fooled. My reputation is already on the mend, and in another month or so, everyone will have forgotten my past indiscretions, thanks to you.”
“The public has a very short memory,” I force the words out through lips I can’t feel.
“Very. Soon they’ll have even forgotten our engagement. Of course, we’ll have to keep the ruse alive for the next few weeks, at least. After a cooling off period, we can give a statement that we’re going our separate ways. You can make the statement.” He tilts his head. “Let it not be said I wasn’t magnanimous when it comes to our separation. You can also keep the ring.”
“The ring, right.”
“Of course, you’ll need to stay under the same roof. Just so we can put up a united front for as long as we need to make this last, you understand?”
I nod again.
“I just thought, it’s best to clear up the air, though, so you wouldn’t harbor any false notions from what I said earlier. To be honest, I almost believed my own words. That’s how good I was. I figured it was best you not labor under the same fallacy, know what I mean?”
“Totally. No more stupid notions about you and me. Got it.”
He frowns, then cracks another laugh. “Such a good girl.” He pats my head. “You’re going to make someone a good wife, I know that in my bones.”
“Just not you.”
