Page 83 of Caught in a Bad Fauxmance

“Well, Iwassupposed to leave with everyone else, but I had to head home because…” He trails off, eyes wide with a new type of excitement as he roots through his tote bag. “I almost forgot to bring this.”

My breath catches in my throat. Who would’ve thought a broken Roomba could make me want to cry?

I take Suck-o into my arms, delicately running a finger between its googly eyes. It’s still covered in dents and scratches, but Julian wiped down the dust.

“It’s about time this little guy goes home to his rightful owners,” he says.

There are so many things I wish I could say, but they all fall short. So I keep it simple. “Thank you.”

“That’s what fake boyfriends are for.” And then he winks. A perfect, effortless wink.

I shove him with my free hand. No one gets away with stealing my joke.

“There’s more, though,” Julian says, nodding his head at Suck-o. Confused, I turn it over and spot a small envelope,Báez Familywritten on it in unfamiliar handwriting. I quirk an eyebrow at Julian, but he mimes keeping his lips sealed.

The paper inside the envelope is difficult to decipher at first. It’s written on company letterhead, a company I quickly realize is Cooke Corp. The first paragraph is mostly business jargon that I’ll never understand, but the second paragraph makes the intentveryclear.

“He’s giving us shares in the company?” My voice is so high pitched I’m worried dogs will start showing up. “Y-you can’t do that.”

“We can, and we did. Or, well, Dad did. He’s probably telling your dad about it right now.” He jabs his thumb toward where I’d spotted Dad and Mr. Cooke. “It’s the least we can do.”

Someone desperately needs to pinch me before I decide to live in this daydream permanently. I don’t know much about investments, but I know something like this would more thancover keeping the cabin in our name. It’s just so far out of the realm of what we expected that it doesn’t feel real, even with the proof in my shaking hand.

“It was his idea, actually,” Julian continues, pointing to his dad’s signature at the bottom of the page. “Ever since he and Mom talked, he’s…changed. Or trying to. I don’t really know what it means for us, but I think things are going to be different this year…good different.”

There are so many things I could say, and yet all I can do is tremble and blurt out, “I can’t believe we own part of a tech company.”

Julian chuckles softly, the laughter dying down to a shy smile. “So, guess you’re free of me now.”

After everything, teasing is still my strong suit. “Yep. Been nice knowing you. Thanks for the Roomba.”

The smirk gives him away, but he plays along. “Have a nice life.”

I take a few seconds, waiting until he starts walking away to reach out and grab his wrist. He turns before I tug, his hand flying right to my waist. When I cradle his jaw, my thumb traces the edge of the scar on his lip I’d caused years ago, and I kiss him like it’s an apology.

“Devin’s Great California Adventure doesn’t have as good of a ring to it,” I say when we part. “Needs the Julian.”

Julian’s unfairly perfect smile is a bright spot in the darkness, still as stunning as the first day I really noticed him. When he kisses me, I see all our endless possibilities, each one sweeter than the last.

“C’mon,” I whisper against his lips, grabbing the tote bag from his hand and tucking everything back in. Fingerslinked, I start leading him toward the street. “I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s a party being thrown in my family’s honor.”

“So I’ve heard.”

We make our way through the crowd, easily spotting the others at the center of a cluster of people, dancing and laughing together. Either the champagne has softened Maya, or Henry and Stella gave one damn good apology. Henry still seems on edge, tripping over himself as he tries to match Maya’s lead. Stella’s inhibitions are long gone as she lets Andy twirl her in circles, their cheeks flushed pink. I make my way to the center of the crowd, Julian’s hand falling out of mine.

I hold my hand back out to him. “You coming?”

He does, stepping into our circle. Instead of taking my hand, though, he grabs my face with both of his and kisses me so hard I worry I’ll lose my balance. But he doesn’t let me fall.

I’d be perfectly happy if this was my forever—kissing Julian in the quiet town where we first met, surrounded by the people we love most. No school, no jobs, no mentorships. Just endless lazy afternoons. Lying in the Florida sun, night swims, and last-ditch attempts at bicycling lessons.

But I like our future more.