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“Aren't you upset that she didn't come back for this?”
“It's not a real engagement party,” I remind her for the umpteenth time.
“I know but your mum doesn't know that,” Kara points out.
That's a good point.
I guess I should be annoyed, but I’m not. Maybe it's because I'm used to it. I have always been much closer to my brother than my mum. My father left when we were little and it was just the three of us, only Mum spent so much time working that my brother pretty much raised me. I appreciate all Mum has done for me, but because of how hard she had to work, we've never been all that close. I mean, she didn't even question why this was the first that she had heard of Noah and I being a couple. She is too wrapped up in her new husband to spend any time worrying about Luke and me.
The cab driver lets us out at the front door. I spot Noah and immediately feel shy. His eyes darken with desire as they lock with mine. He gazes over me appreciatively as he makes his way towards us.
“You look incredible,” he murmurs, his eyes only on me.
“So do you,” I admit, eyeing his expensive-looking suit and dishevelled hair.
“Let's go inside.”
He takes my hand and I follow him through the grand entrance and into his grandfather’s house. Everything I pass looks so lush and expensive. You could fit my whole apartment in this foyer alone.
“Everyone is out back,” he explains, his voice low. “It's mostly the same crowd you met last week at his birthday.”
He glances at Kara, like he’s just noticed she is with me, then he turns his attention back to me. “He's probably going to ask you why not many of your family or friends are here.”
“I have friends coming,” I fire back, offended. “It was a week's notice. Not many people could make it and if I'm honest, the people I really care about are here. I would love for my mum to have come, but it wasn't practical.”
“I get it, I just know how the old man thinks.”
Noah gives me a reassuring pat on the back and I force myself to relax. Until I notice Noah’s grandfather is headed in our direction.
“Lucy, lovely to see you again.” I smile as Noah's grandfather embraces me in a hug. “You look stunning. My grandson better watch out or I might try and steal you for myself.” He winks at me and I laugh politely as Noah tugs me just a little bit closer. “Are your parents here? I can’t wait to meet them,” he adds.
“It's just my mum, but no, she isn't. She's on a cruise overseas, so she couldn't make it,” I explain. “She will definitely be at the wedding, though,” I add with a smile.
“I should hope so,” his grandfather laughs. “I wouldn’t dream of missing anything as important as this, no matter where I was in the world. How did you two meet again?”
“Oh, we've known each other forever.” I gaze up at Noah with the most lovey-dovey smile I can muster. “I guess we just reconnected again recently. It's amazing how love works in such mysterious ways sometimes,” I babble on, unable to stop the garbage pouring out of my mouth. “I actually had a big crush on Noah when I was younger, but back then our age gap felt too much. I never thought for a second he could be interested in me but then when we crossed paths again…”
“You had a crush on me?” Noah grins at me.
“I think I made that quite obvious,” I say, my cheeks heating.
“Well, you two certainly make a sweet couple. So, it’s just your friend here who came to your engagement party?” Something in his grandfather’s tone makes me wonder how much he is buying into our story.
“Other friends of mine are already here,” I inform him. “And my brother, Luke, is on his way too.”
“Oh, yes. Luke. Lovely young man,” he mumbles, looking a little less sure of himself. He adjusts his glasses and glances around the room. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I better go and mingle—”
Noah clears his throat. “Actually, there's something I need to say.”
His grandfather raises his eyebrows at Noah and so do I.
“I haven't been completely honest with you,” Noah begins, addressing his grandfather. “I sought Lucy out and asked her to pretend to be my girlfriend so that you'd give me access to my trust fund for the new business I'm setting up with her brother.”
I stare at Noah in shock. “What the heck are you doing?” I hiss.
“I don’t know,” he shrugs with a laugh. “I guess I’m un-proposing to you? I'm sorry to blindside you, Lucy, but I need to get this out.” He turns his attention back to his grandfather. “So yeah, in the beginning this was all just a ploy for me to get my hands on that money, but then something happened. Something I never expected. I fell in love.”
I stare at him in shock. I must be losing my mind because I thought I just heard Noah say he’s in love with me. My heart flutters in my chest as Noah reaches for my hand. He gives it a reassuring squeeze, sending shivers racing down my spine.
