Page 48 of Pretender

“Hm.” He grunts. An actual little grunt.

A warm sensation spreads in my gut, and I let it. Despite learning about Henry’s actions, I have also learned there are people in my corner.

Aiden is in my corner. For whatever reason. I’ll try not to linger on that.

He’s here, holding my hand in public.

It might be fake, but he’s not making excuses for me. He just stood up for me.

“You should tell Mark,” I say. “Please tell him. I don’t want you to have a stomach ache or jeopardise your friendship for me.”

Shit, where did that come from?

Aiden’s eyes search my face, and I give him a reassuring smile.

“I trust what you said. That you wouldn’t do anything to hurt my reputation,” I say, and his shoulders seem to drop as he exhales.

I hope I won’t regret this.

“Thank you.” He kisses my hand. The one he’s been holding this whole time, and it’s making a comforting and disconcerting mess in my gut.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

more bulgy

LINNEA

The dinner has turned to dancing and digestifs under the pleasant hue of the golden hour. The stubborn summer sun fights its way through the many plants, hitting the chandeliers from its low angle in the sky, making the room sparkle.

With the diverse group of this party, I’ve listened to lively conversation, received cheek kisses and dodged gesticulations, and not for a single moment did I want to disappear into a hole—my go-to emotion after hours of socialising.

Amara and Aiden talked loud enough to reach far down the table, captivating everyone with their stories and taking turns making each other howl with laughter. Mum and son carry themselves with the same ease, and I wonder: is she a bit of a charmer too, or is this simply how Aiden is?

Now, I watch them dancing. Amara laughs as Aiden twirls her effortlessly. He moves with such ease through the small space. Knows exactly where his body is, where his feet step. That’s how he is in everything, isn’t it?

Every step he takes is calibrated. He might not see in advance where he’s about to step but once he’s landed, he owns it, moves with it, makes it work.

So why did he land on me as his fake date?

I’m having fun. But why would he want me here with his family? Ugh, I hate this creeping back into me.

I should ask him again—why me?

Although he wouldn’t admit it’s because he assumed I’d relent, that I’d do what he wants … because he knows I need him.

In the heat of the occasion and conversation I accepted Amara’s invitation to brunch tomorrow and I have to sit with this question burning a hole in me.

And I’ll need to learn how to play bridge overnight. All I know about the game is that it’s played with cards.

A shape I recognise as Mark’s appears in my periphery, and I turn to greet him. He gestures to the seat next to me, and I nod, pushing it out for him to sit on.

“Hey,” he says. I’ve seen Mark around The Orion with Aiden, and he’s always seemed such a surly man, compared to smiley Aiden. Maybe he used to be, but I’ve had the pleasure of properly meeting him together with his parents and Rey today, and they’re all remarkable and joyful people, Mark included. When he wants to.

“Hello.”

He faces the dance floor, and Aiden waves over to us, now dancing with both his mother and his aunt. I sat next to Aunt Giulia during the meal and now I’ve learned pretty much everything I’d ever need to know about her. Even her favourite brand of tampons, so that’s quite the dinner conversation.

“Aiden told me,” Mark says.