Page 58 of Faking With You

“Pardon?”

He chuckles. “You’re staring at Eliza, but not just that, you’re staring at her with a love drunk look on your face.”

I feel the eyes of all the guys on me now, and I take another slow sip of my beer.

“Mac’s got it bad,” Matt says through a laugh.

“They are dating. There was obviously something there,” Caleb says, and I instinctively reach back and squeeze my neck.

“Yeah. It’s been nearly six months since we started dating,” I say.

“Are you planning on proposing?” Matt asks, and I nearly choke on my beer.

“Whoa,” Grayson says. “It’s a normal question. You really that against it?”

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and shake my head. “It’s not that I’m against it.” I sigh. “I’m not sure it’s what she wants. I know how much she respects her parents' opinion, and I’m not sure they’re my biggest fan. I am ten years older than her and I work a lot. We’ve made it work so far...” I look over at her with her friends, completely relaxed and carefree. “I’m not sure she wants it long-term.”

The guys exchange a look with each other before Josh says, “If she didn’t, the girls would have heard about it. Your best option is to ask one of them, probably Hannah. She’s the closest to Liz and probably more likely to spill, after she makes you jump through hoops.”

“Those girls know everything about each other,” Matt says. “If you want information without going straight to Liz, they’re your best option.”

“They’re right. I went to Liz when Hannah and I first got married.”

That turns the attention of everyone to Grayson. While they drill him with questions, I’m able to find Eliza again. She’s now with the kids, lying on her stomach as she wiggles a toy at Jayden and he giggles like crazy.

She’d make an amazing mom one day. The thought she’s put into the decision is more than a lot of people do. And also seeing her with her friends' kids, the way she’s fully embraced this role of aunt to all of them and she loves it, tells me she'd be good with her own. I truly believe that she’s the only person I’d think about having kids with. At my age, I’d be older than sixty when they graduate high school.

I put my beer bottle down on one of the tables and walk across the patio to join Eliza on the blanket. She smiles up at me as I approach, and the second I’m beside her, I drop a quick kiss on the top of her head before turning my focus to the two kids on the blanket.

Eliza is talking in a funny voice with the stuffed bear, and both kids are smiling and giggling. Her smile is just as big. I don’t know what to do, she’s already engaging with them, but I had this need to be beside her to hear her voice and listen to these kids giggle because of her.

After a few minutes, Liv and Zoey come to collect the kids and tell us food is done. Eliza looks at me, her smile still vibrant, and I reach forward and tuck her hair behind her ear. She mixes it up between wearing her glasses and her contacts. Today she’s wearing her glasses, and I love when she does. Eliza in her glasses makes me feel like she’s comfortable and not working to put on an image for the people around her. She wears hercontacts to work, when we met her parents for dinner, and when she met my father. When she spends the day at home or out with her friends, she’s like this.

Hannah asks Eliza about our upcoming trip to London. This time, Eliza is taking time off so she’ll be able to do some more sightseeing. She’s also meeting with my mom while we’re there. Every time my mom has reached out since we left she’s asked about Eliza. I think sometimes she’s more interested in her than me. I know my mom loves me and she’s just happy I’ve found someone. I also know I’m going to have to find a way to break her heart in a couple weeks when I have to tell her that Eliza and I aren’t together anymore.

Hannah’s phone goes off, and she smiles as she answers a video call. The second it connects, she’s screaming, and everyone is looking at her with shock. Crying comes from the other end, and Hannah immediately turns the phone to face Grayson and he’s taking it from her, his eyes misting as he smiles.

“Congrats, Chlo,” he says to the woman on the other end of the line.

I turn and look at Eliza, not knowing who Chlo is.

“Chloe, it’s Grayson’s younger sister. From what’s happening I’m guessing she just got engaged to her boyfriend, Everett.”

Hannah’s now standing behind Grayson as they talk to Chloe, and the table all listens in.

“Send me all the pics, Chlo,” Hannah says.

“Everett actually arranged for us to have a photographer at the proposal. It was perfect. I’ll send you all the pics she sends us.”

Hannah’s smile grows. “You found yourself a keeper.”

“I did. We just wanted you guys to be the first to know. We have a few more calls to make. We’ll talk soon!”

Hannah blows her a kiss.

“Bye, Chlo, love you,” Grayson says and hangs up.

Hannah, still filled with excitement, plants a big kiss on her husband's cheek before taking her seat again.