Page 78 of The Substitute Fiancée

For my mother, I found a pair of antique earrings I’d discovered in an antique shop. I chose them with her in mind.

“Thank you, Sam. They’re very pretty,” she says in a falsely warm tone.

Then she hands me an envelope. Three one-hundred-euro bills.

“Thank you, Mom.” I say, closing the envelope. Because that’s what you say.

My voice sounds hollow, even to my own ears.

The rest of the coffee passes in distant politeness. When they leave, Andrew pulls me into a tight embrace.

“Have a wonderful holiday—and give Alexander my love.”

My mother settles for a mechanical kiss.

I watch them walk away, with that familiar bitterness: some things will never change.

When I get back to Alexander’s place, he’s sitting in front of his laptop, a mug of coffee in hand. My entire body relaxes at the sight of him. It’s crazy how, in so little time, he’s become the center of my universe. My anchor. My safe place.

He looks up, his face lighting up.

“Hey. How did it go?”

I set down my coat and step closer.

“My mother gave me three hundred euros.”

I say nothing more. He understands.

He closes his laptop and pulls me into his arms. Tight. For a long time.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs into my hair.

“It’s not your fault.”

“I know. But I’m sorry anyway.”

I stay there, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heart.

My God, how I love this man.

“Hot chocolate?” he suggests. “I have my mom’s special recipe.”

“I’d love that.”

I watch him prepare it. Milk. High-quality chocolate. A pinch of cinnamon. A hint of vanilla. He heats it gently, whisks it, pours it into two large mugs. Then, with an almost childlike smile, he pulls out a bag of mini marshmallows.

“You remembered…”

“I remember you loved it. And that you had to wait twenty seconds before drinking.”

My heart tightens. Yes, he remembers.

We settle in front of the fireplace. I curl up against him, mug in hand. The silence is soft, soothing.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“For what?”