Page 22 of Gin and Bear It

I just listed off a bunch of fantasy boyfriend traits, but it’s not like Waylon can call me out on it. He hasn’t been around for our (fictional) conversations and dates.

“Okay…” He’s still skeptical, which I anticipated. “It’s not that I don’t trust your judgment. I’m just worried about you.”

“I’m okay. I’m better than I’ve been in months.” I fidget. “I promise.”

“Okay.” Waylon blows out a breath and I hear snuffling on his end of the line. “Sadie, stop. I just ate an apple and she wants to smell my mouth.”

“Hi, Sadie!” I coo. I hear more snuffling sounds, and a little yawn. A smile spreads across my face. She’s the sleepiest dog ever. “I miss her.”

“She misses you, too. Wes wanted to cook dinner Friday night—want to come with Ash?”

My throat tightens up at the thought. Usually dinners at Wes’s are fun, and I haven’t been since my grandparents passed. Wes makes something delicious, Rose makes cocktails that are a little too strong, and we all hang out for hours around their fire pit.

Envisioning Ash there with my closest friends feels like inviting a centaur to brunch. I just can’t imagine it truly happening.

But we’re not just dating—we’re going to be married. We have to pull this off and that means doing stuff normal couples would do. The timing works out with our plan anyway.

“Yeah, definitely,” I say. “Just let us know what to bring.”

“Okay. I’ll text you.”

He ends the call and I stare down at my phone.

I’m back in the mindset I’ve been in for the past six months—itching to get out but wanting to stay inside and never see another human being again.

I crawl into my big chair and throw blankets over myself. My stomach is churning, so I run through my mental checklist. I’ve eaten, had enough water, and slept decently enough. So all of my shitty feelings are from lying to my best friend and hurting his feelings. And from having to do the same in just a little bit to my brother and father.

Pip sees me curled up and slinks over, leaping into the spot between my hip and the side of the chair. His purring usually calms me down, but it doesn’t today. I don’t think I can calm down until I tell Jeremiah, too. I need to call him even though we’re going to Dad’s for dinner.

“Are you alright?” Jeremiah asks after picking up on the first ring.

“What? Yes. Well, no,” I say. “I’m dating Ash Stryker and we want to get married. I wanted to tell you before I tell Dad later.”

“Bullshit,” he says. He doesn’t even take a breath to consider it. “Ash Stryker? Your high school crush? Waylon’s messiest brother? There’s not a fucking chance, Jada.”

“God, you knew I had a crush on him in high school, too?” Kill me.

“I’m pretty sure everyone did. You’ve never been subtle in your life.” He pauses. “So what’s really happening? Is it the inheritance?”

His deep voice turns gentle. We were born minutes apart, but sometimes he feels like he’s older when he’s soft like this. I can’t keep trying to lie to him. If anyone will keep my secret, he will.

“Yeah. He needs to be married for his inheritance, too, though he didn’t specify that it has to be based on true love. We just need to fake it. It’s the only way.”

I hear him doing something on his end of the line. Probably cleaning or something.

“JJ, the will said it has to be based on true love. Which you can’t really quantify but people can tell. I don’t think Dad will be thrilled but he’ll stay quiet. But Danika? She’ll call your shit out and everything will fall apart.”

“I know. I know.” After getting over my shock and talking to Ash, I sent Jeremiah the rest of Danika’s Instagram post. He was just as surprised as I was.

“And you know she would. She’s petty as hell.”

“I know, but when’s the last time we were up to date on each other’s lives? We just have to be good at pretending even when she gets nosy.” I scratch Pip between his ears.

He grunts in acknowledgment.

“So you’re going to have a whole wedding? Kendra and Malcolm and the little twins will want to come. You’re going to fake it in front of them, too?”

I close my eyes and try to steady myself, but my niece’s and nephew’s sweet little faces pop into my head. Then Kendra’s and Malcolm’s confused ones.