er’

and Harper. My uncles are relentless when it comes to how I should be leading the pack. I’m not an idiot, I know how to be a

cially a stranger who I just met. They won’t know she’s a stranger, but they’ll suspect something is up since I left the pack single

hip seem legitimate. We decided to meet at her special place in the forest before our fi

rive. The sun is beginning to set in the distance, casting a soft oran

re early.”

we leave tomorrow,” She looks around the smal

utiful as it is in this moment.” It’s not a lie. This p

per shifts to face me, and I follow suit. “I’m going to list off

no

old are you? Best place to visit? Do you hav

low, I’m twenty-five, the best place to visit is my home, I’m an only child, and my favorite perso

t to say. That’s okay, she doesn’t nee

I ask, needing t

ou’re sitting in my favorite place, I have two brothers,

I’m interested to know

was a small child. She even helped me when I had my first shift.” She loo

about my Mother. The best wo

her were around to see how much I’ve grown up; how strong I’ve become. She would

ut each other?” I ask, wanting to

t’s enough. We can always put the timing and qu

loose grass off the back of my j

-----

e. We hope that the fancy clothes we’re wearing will help sell the fact that this is our engagement announceme

be easy, having to tell your parents you’re engaged and leaving first thing in the m

s we stop in front of th

s her head,

e, “Not

and step through, H

He’s seated at the head of the table with his family, my

lf. Everyone is looking at us with confused expressions.

“Asher, how have you enjoy

really nice stay. You have all bee

rful stay. Your home is b

xcitement, “Wonderful! Will you be

e me who is fiddling with her han

well?” He is giving Harper a heated stare, which I’m sure is pissing her off. I know how

and Asher have come to grow so close.” La

nner,” She looks at me, her eyes pleading f

uld say she is

ghter. I feel bad knowing its fake, but one day thos

e getting marr

d, and I’m sure Julius is pissed. Lawrence and Julie look happy-shocked and Harpe

s up out of her seat and pulling Harper in

Harper’s words are

me with narrowed

t.” Juli

e anything to them. Why is it so hard fo

real,” Dean agrees, add

happen. They’ve figured out straight away this is fa

’s real,” Harp

ards her. From instinct I close my eyes and commit to the pretend relationship. Our lips brush each other’s, and I can taste strawberry.

when we pull apart, “We’re getting