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“Why is she in such a hurry?” Laurent’s words brushed my ear as he caught up to me and pressed his chest into my back.
“She was rushing, right?”
“Yes, and Odette doesn’t rush.”
“Maybe there’s something on the agenda they didn’t tell you about.”
“There better not be.” He thrust his hand into his hair as we made our way into the main room.
Screams followed by pops and colorful streamers flying through the air greeted us.
“Surprise!” the whole room yelled in unison.
“What the?” Laurent’s words faltered.
Open-mouthed, I stared at the familiar faces, trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Then I saw thecongratulations on your engagementbanner hanging on the far wall.
“Oh crap,” I muttered. Our fake engagement had officially gone local. If everyone in this room knew, then the whole town did. I glanced at Laurent, trying to figure out what was going on in his head, but he was stiff, unmoving, and completely expressionless.
My stupid ruse was now a full-blown deception, reaching all parts of Laurent’s life.
“Wow,” I said, aware we needed to say something. “This is so thoughtful.”
“We wanted you both to know how happy we are for you, and you don’t have to hide it anymore. We all know.” Odette fanned her hand out to the rest of the community. “Though we appreciate you tried to keep it professional at the last meeting.”
“Professional, my butt,” Albert grunted. “They bamboozled me. Teaming up on me and acting as if they weren’t working together.”
“Get over it, Albert,” Odette mumbled.
“I’ll get over it when you get some turpentine and wipe that makeup off your face.”
“Albert,” Craig snapped.
“What? We’re all thinking it. I’m the only one with the balls to say it.”
“Language!” Odette demanded.
“What’d I say?” Albert asked innocently.
Laurent and I stood there watching the argument. I didn’t know about him, but I had no idea what to say or how to navigate. We pretty much nailed the whole fake fiancé thing, but right now we weren’t exactly on good terms, thanks to me, and we were bombing this surprise.
Laurent clapped his hands together, getting everyone’s attention. “This is very kind,” he said. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and hauled me against his side. “Phoebe and I can’t thank you enough and tell you how happy we are to be able to show our love to everyone.”
What did he think he was doing? I nudged him with my elbow. He was laying it on a little too thick.
He held me tighter, making it impossible for me to move my elbow again.
“Kiss, kiss!” Kenneth chanted before Michael joined in, then Steve and then Sonya. Pretty soon, everyone was chanting.
Laurent turned me in his arms, and without hesitation, dipped his head and captured my lips. This kiss was nothing like last night. It was soft and pure, but there was something so erotic about the chasteness that had me melting into his arms, clinging to every move of his lips against mine.
“Wooo Eeeee!” Steve’s voice broke through the fog, and Laurent pulled back. I Instantly hated the distance between us, wanted to pull him back to me and hold on, never to let go.
Laurent turned from me as if he didn’t just move my entire world and high-fived Steve before making his way through the crowd, greeting and thanking each person as he went. I stood there like a confused bird who flew into a window.
“Sweetie,” Odette said, resting her hand on my arm. “Sonya brought enchiladas, and Lainey brought a cake.
Lainey. The name zipped into my head, tapping into something familiar. “Lainey,” I repeated.
