AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A rosy blush comes into her cheeks. It’s adorable, and I want to say more things that’ll make her blush.
“I just don’t know what Sadie will ask to prove we’re a committed couple. I figure it might be an interview like they do for immigration marriages. Like in the movieThe Proposal. So, just in case, here’s some more about me—my favorite song is “Starlight” by Muse. My favorite color is red. And I use Olay moisturizing cream before bed every night.”
I scratch my jaw. “Is she going to ask all that?”
Her shoulders go up around her ears. “I don’t know. I’m freaking out. I have no idea what she’s going to ask.”
“Well, don’t worry about it. We’ve known each other forever.”
“And yet I’m worried. But I photoshopped us an engagement picture last night, so we have photographic proof we’re together.”
I bark out a laugh. “What did you use as our picture?”
“I put our heads on Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.”
“Nice. But weren’t they only married for, like, five minutes? And didn’t they get divorced a long time ago?”
“Well, yeah, but they’ve gotourheads, so it’s us. Not them.”
“I don’t know. Seems like bad mojo for our fake engagement.”
The corners of her mouth pull upward. “Maybe I should be fake worried then.” She pulls the car up to a small, well-kept house in the Cherry Creek Homes subdivision. “You still up for this?”
“Sure. Just pretend, right?” Ugh. Why do I sound like a sore loser? I should look at this as an opportunity, not a rejection. She could’ve asked any guy to help, but she didn’t. She asked me. This scheme is giving me a chance to be close to her, which is what I wanted in the first place.
Time to square myself with my new role. I stick my elbow out and nod for her to grab it. “We should look like a couple, right?”
She bobs her head and loops her arm in mine. “Good thinking.”
We stroll up Sadie Foster’s front walk—without the cookies. They were too good to share—and Amelia rings the doorbell. She leans her head against the top of my arm and snuggles into my side as we wait for the door to be answered.
My heart beats a jangly rhythm as I catch the coconut scent of her hair. The situation’s messing with my perception of reality. My body is starting to think we’re an actual affectionate couple, even though my head knows we’re not.
An older woman opens the door, but just a little. She wedges herself into the slice of space as if to say she’ll come out before she’ll ever let anyone in.
“Mrs. Foster?” Amelia turns a bright smile on the woman and tightens her grip on my arm.
“Yes, dear?” the woman says sweetly.
“Hi, Mrs. Foster. I’m Amelia Taylor. We spoke on the phone?”
“Ah, yes, dear. I remember. The sweet girl who’s looking for theOnce Upon a Christmas Kissbook for her sister.”
“Yes, ma’am. My…fiancé…and I are here for the clue, please. We were told you were the person to see.”
Mrs. Foster inches out of the doorway onto her top step and lets the screen door slam behind her. She scans us up and down and crosses her arms. “I’m only giving that clue to a committed couple. You two don’t fit the bill. Scram.”
I gape at Sadie Foster. She’d seemed so sweet. I get ready to turn and scram as asked, but I have to hand it to Amelia—she doesn’t falter.
“Wearea committed couple.” Amelia’s voice is strong, and her gaze is steady. “Verycommitted.”
Mrs. Foster’s eyes narrow. “Really? Prove it.”
What proof is she looking for? Even married couples don’t go around carrying their marriage certificates on them. Are we supposed to show her our matching tattoos?
“I could show you our engagement picture—” Amelia starts.
“Pictures can be faked!” Sadie Foster snaps. This woman missed her calling as a drill sergeant.
