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“Oh enough about me and Christian, I said. Let's talk about your engagement party, girl. It’ll be here soon.”
Sophie was planning a small and intimate engagement dinner. Her wedding would be a major event, and a small and intimate dinner for Sophie in this context probably meant at least a hundred people.
“It’s going to be a small affair, so you don’t need to worry about that. Nathan and I have it covered. You just need to show up.”
Valerie guzzled down her drink and said, “I hope you’re bringing Christian to the engagement party. I won’t believe you until I see it with my eyes.”
“You doubt my words,” I said, planting a look of mock hurt on my face. I hadn’t even considered going with Christian, but the idea was perfect really. Everyone would see us together. It would be the easiest way to announce our “relationship.” Hopefully Christian would be happy to play along, but why wouldn't he be? He had a stake in it too, and so much more to lose than I did.
***
Christian’s POV
The balmy air was filled with birdsong as Nathan, Aiden, and I made our way down the winding road toward the exclusive golf club for drinks and food. The sun was just beginning to set, casting an orange glow across the green hills that surrounded the course.
As we approached the entrance, I realized I had to tell my friends about my relationship with Alex, but I couldn't help feeling a bit anxious about their reactions.
We'd been playing golf together for years, and the club was a favorite spot of ours. It was a sprawling estate, complete with a luxurious clubhouse and perfectly manicured greens. The clubhouse was a grandiose building with towering columns and a redbrick façade, the club's name engraved in gold.
As I walked through the doors, the smell of leather and wood rose up to greet me, and I took comfort in the familiar sounds of the glasses clinking and the chatter of the impeccably-dressed patrons. The club was bustling with activity, but there was a peacefulness to it, and I found it soothing. The room was adorned with rich paintings, antique wooden furniture, and a grand staircase that led to the upper levels of the clubhouse.
I led the way to our usual table, which was set back in a cozy corner of the dining area. It was situated beside a large window overlooking the 18th hole, providing us with a breathtaking view of the course beneath the slowly setting sun.
Nathan, who had been scanning the menu, looked up at me with a knowing smirk.
“So, are you finally going to tell us about Alex?” he asked.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. Nathan had always insisted that I had feelings for Alex, and now it seemed that Sophie had told him about us before I could break the news.
Aiden, on the other hand, looked genuinely surprised at Nathan's question. He leaned forward in his chair, his eyes fixed on me.
“What about Alex?” he asked curiously.
I took a deep breath. I felt surprisingly nervous like I would be announcing our wedding rather than our sham relationship. I knew I had to tell them sooner or later, and there was no time like the present, as they say.
“Alex and I are dating,” I said, my voice low.
Nathan’s reaction was immediate. He let out a whoop of excitement, clapping his hands together.
“I knew it!” he exclaimed. “I’ve been telling you that you’re attracted to her!”
Aiden’s reaction was more subdued, but I could see the surprise written on his face.
“Wow, I didn’t see that one coming,” he said, shaking his head. He actually looked impressed. "I can't believe you two are together. I mean, I always knew there was something there, but I never thought you'd actually act on it."
Well, their reactions were better than I expected. I thought I would have to work to convince them. I was relieved. It was a weight off my shoulders to tell my friends. And for a moment, I almost forgot it was a farce. But only for a moment.
I would tell them the rest of it later after the "relationship" was over and Alex was suffering for what she had done. Until then, they couldn’t find out the truth.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and good food, as we discussed the details of my relationship with Alex. Nathan was insistent on hearing every little detail, while Aiden was content to listen and ask occasional questions.
As the night wore on and the stars came out, we finished our meal and made our way to the bar area. The bar was crowded, and the sound of clinking glasses and the low hum of conversation filled the air.
I ordered the three of us a round of scotches.
“Listen, man, I know I’ve been a bit of a pest about Alex," Nathan said, "but I just want to see you happy.”
“You’re just happy we won’t be ruining your wedding with our bickering”
