Fake Marriage Box Set

I blew out a hard breath. “I don’t know.”

“I do. Em, you have realized that this guy isn’t like every other guy you’ve been exposed to, right? I’m about to tell you something, and I say this with love: you’re being stupid. I’ve watched you steer clear of men for the past two years. Ever since what happened with Assface—”

“He has a name, you know,” I interjected.

“Yeah, his name is Assface. He doesn’t deserve a Christian name.”

“Touché.”

“So, ever since then, you haven’t even considered dating. You just threw yourself into your work and never looked back. You can deny it all you want, but if you’re honest with yourself, you know I’m right. You’re scared. Scared to let anyone get too close and break your heart like that again. But every guy isn’t like that, Em. And it sounds to me like Luke is nothing like that. Everything you’ve told me says he’s exactly the opposite of Assface. And the sooner you admit to yourself you’re pushing him away, maybe that’s the sooner you’ll be able to stop being so stupid.”

“Geez, why don’t ya tell me how ya really feel, Rach?” I joked.

“You know I’m right.”

I stood and moved over to the window, looking down at the ridiculously handsome, shirtless man swinging an ax. “Fine. You might be a little right,” I admitted. “But what am I supposed to do now? I’ve kinda been a bit of a bitch to him.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Here’s a novel idea: just be nice,” she mocked.

I laughed. “Yeah. I guess I can do that.”

“Of course you can. You’re a sweetheart. Ya know... after a couple cups of coffee and eight hours of sleep,” she teased.

“I hear ya. Ya got jokes.”

She laughed louder. “It’s so cute you think I’m joking.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going to take a nap now. You know... so I can be nice later.”

“You do that.”

“Thanks, Rach. I appreciate you setting me straight.”

“Anytime. That’s what I’m here for,” she beamed.

“Give Charlie a hug for me. I’ll call ya later,” I said.

“Please do. I’m going to want to hear how you being nice to the hottie beside you works out.”

“We’ll see. Talk to ya later.”

“Sweet dreams,” she chided and hung up.

I knew she was right. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew it.

I reached over to the table by my bed, grabbed my book, and started reading, trying my best to get out of my head and into someone else’s. Apparently, I dozed off because I woke a while later, jerking up from the bed thinking I’d overslept.

There were no noises coming from outside. I looked over at the clock, and it was almost eleven. I brushed my teeth, pulled on some clothes, and made my way down to make coffee. I poured my coffee into a travel mug and grabbed my backpack, walking outside into the sunshine and followed the trail that led to the meadow.

The cool air of late afternoon crawled over my skin before I realized it was getting late. When I arrived back at the house, it was eerily quiet, and Luke’s truck was gone.

I made a sandwich and settled into a chair on the porch with my laptop on my legs. When the moon began to make an appearance, headlights from Luke’s truck emerged at the end of the driveway. I watched as they bounced with the bumps of the path until he parked in front of the house.

He gave me a simple wave and walked into his side of the house without a word. I was disappointed even though I had no right to be. It was the first time he hadn't said a word to me. Maybe I had pushed him too far with my selfishness. I stood and started to walk over but changed my mind and went inside instead.

***

The next morning, I awoke to silence. I looked at the time. Twenty minutes after nine. It took a moment for me to remember it was Wednesday, and Luke had said they’d be leaving for the weekend. I assumed they were gone, even though he hadn’t said what time they’d be leaving out. It dawned on me that I was truly alone in the place for the first time.