The Fake Engagement

Mackenzie and Juliet laughed.

“Not helping,” Eliza said.

“You, yourself, have said many times how you don’t believe in any superstitions and yet, you’re on the phone, telling us about a woman you’ve met once, and now you’re scaring yourself about it.”

“She was really scary,” Eliza said. “I don’t know. I think it’s because the other women were so convinced what she said was real.”

“What other women?”

She told them about Preston’s brothers, their wives, and what happened.

Silence filled the line after she explained the dynamic to them.

“You guys still there?” she asked.

“We’re still here,” Juliet said.

“Why have you gone silent on me, guys?” She waited.

“Er, no reason at all. Let’s face it, there’s no way you and Preston are going to be sleeping together. I mean having sex. You’re sharing a bed, but there is a distance between the two of you. It’s not like you’re wrapped around each other?”

Eliza cringed. She hadn’t told them about what happened this morning. How she’d woken up to him holding her breast or the feel of him against her ass.

She was in deep trouble.

“You know what, you guys are so right about everything. I’m reading far too much into this, and I just have to focus. I better be getting ready before they think I’m taking a number two.” She frowned, slapping her forehead with her palm. “I better go. Bye.” She hung up the phone and blew out a breath. “Everything is going to be fine.”

She stood up and removed her clothes, then changed into the swimsuit and tied a robe around her waist.

Eliza wished she had Juliet’s body. This was going to be a disaster. Why did she agree to a swim? Her life was going to be over before she knew it.

“It’s fine. I’m awesome. That’s all I need to remember. My mom told me I was awesome. I am awesome.”

After unlocking the bathroom door, she went straight to the bedroom door, opening it and coming to a stop.

Preston had his hand poised to knock.

“I tried the door, but it was locked. You were taking your time,” he said.

“Er, yeah. I called Juliet and Mackenzie, you know. To tell them I was fine and all that.” She pressed her lips together.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m perfectly fine. There’s nothing wrong. I am peachy.”

He frowned.

“Shall we head back down to your folks?”

“Eliza, are you okay?” he asked again.

“I am. I’m fine. I think I’m just overthinking everything, you know? I’ll be fine.” If she said fine one more time, she felt she’d explode. This wasn’t how she anticipated this going. They were one day in, and already she felt tense, nervous, and ready to run for the hills.

“Let’s head down.”

Eliza walked beside him, aware of his palm against the base of her back. It meant nothing. His touch didn’t set her on fire. That kiss did not melt her panties. They were still boss and employee.

They had this covered.

His family was at a large table on the patio. The heavy scent of meats filled the air. Marsha had thrown together some potato salad and pasta salad. She couldn’t help but think the woman was a machine when it came to taking care of her family.

She knew what they wanted even before they did.

“Glad you could join us,” Marsha said.

Preston held out the chair for her to sit down.

“Thank you,” she said.

She kept a smile on her lips, all the while thinking they were watching their every single move. Was this how a zoo animal felt?

She hated zoos.

Preston took the seat opposite her.

“Hi, I’m Rachel. You’re so pretty,” a young girl said.

“Hi.”

“Ah, the introductions need to be taken place,” Preston said.

He got all of his nieces and nephews, and she was finally introduced to the next generation of Boones.

She smiled at all of them. They were sweet kids, and when the time came to eat, she was starving.

Eliza decided to compartmentalize what was happening. Melinda was just a fluke. Her premonition about a baby was false. She and Preston were never going to have sex. They had a working relationship, nothing more, nothing less.

She had both the potato and pasta salad, not caring about the carbs or starch. She needed food.

The food was passed around, and she noticed how the mothers each stood to prepare their child’s plate. She couldn’t help but watch as Lydia, Grace, and Scarlett took careful attention toward their children. Their love for their children palpable.

Once their kids were served, they took a seat and started to eat their own food.

She took a mouthful of the potato salad, along with the pasta salad, and released a little moan. They were both so good.

“You enjoy the food?” Preston asked.

She chuckled. “Is it that obvious? I needed this.” Between Melinda and her best friends, she needed to stop thinking. The food was a welcome distraction.