Julia gasps at that. “You mean you knew about them?”

  “Oh, please, Mom, I was there when it all began,” Jessica replies theatrically, sticking to the fake version of how our relationship started.

  If nothing else, Jace’s sister is giving us bang for our bucks—or more bang for our slave labor.

  With the excuse of hugging me, she whispers, “You’ve been naughty, darling, we have to talk soon.” As she pulls back, Jessica winks at me.

  Meanwhile, Hunter has been busy filling glasses with bubbly and he now distributes them around.

  When everyone is stocked, he raises his glass in a toast. “To Jace and Lori, we’d lost hope we’d ever see this one settle down.” Hunter tilts his flute in Jace’s direction, who, in response, grimaces while still being a good sport. “And we couldn’t have hoped for a better daughter-in-law.”

  They’re getting way ahead of themselves, but we all cheer, drink, and then take our seats around the large table.

  23

  JACE

  Two hours into the family reunion, Lori and I have been grilled more than a slow roasted rack of ribs. Mom and Dad have been firing questions at us non-stop. They want to absorb every detail of our relationship from the moment we allegedly kissed over the holidays to now.

  Admittedly, Mom asks most of the questions. Dad tips his glass to us now and then to show us he approves.

  I’m not the only one affected by the third degree. It’s obvious that Lori is reaching the end of her rope, especially since we have to invent half the answers on the fly, and she’s the worst liar.

  I study her. Right now, it’s hard to tell if it’s the wine or the relentless interrogations that are making Lori blush and look at the floor as she replies to Mom’s umpteenth question. “No, I haven’t told my parents yet. When I went home for Christmas, the relationship was too new, and I don’t want to tell them over the phone.”

  “Then you should both take a trip to Sarasota.” Mom theatrically places a hand over her chest. “Trust me, you don’t want them to learn about it secondhand.”

  Guess she won’t drop the fact that Aiden’s mom knew before her any time soon.

  “Well, if you’re planning a trip,” Jessica chips in. “You’d better do it before Devi goes on maternity leave. You won’t have many free weekends after that.”

  Don’t I know!

  Lori looks more overwhelmed by the minute.

  “So,” Dad says. “You two have been seeing each other for a month and a half,” he summarizes. “Any plans for the future yet?”

  “Enough with the cross-examination…” I finally intervene. “Can we talk about something else? We’re here to celebrate.”

  “Fine,” Mom says in a disappointed voice.

  So I tease her a little. “Mom, I promise you that after today you know more about us than anyone else.”

  She smiles. “I guess we’ll have plenty of time to get you kids to open up.” Mom reaches across the table and squeezes Lori’s hand. “You’re going to be like a second daughter.”

  Jessica rolls her eyes. “Why, Mom, ain’t I enough for you?” she asks teasingly.

  My sister should’ve known better.

  Mom lets go of Lori and turns to Jessica. “Oh, dear, sorry we neglected you. Did you want to talk about your love life?”

  Jessica is the worst workaholic in the family and has literally no time for relationships.

  Her face turns tomato red. “Uh, thanks, but no, thanks.”

  “How about we change the subject altogether?” I prompt.

  “And what should we discuss?” Mom quips.

  “How about your upcoming art exhibit?” I ask Mom. If anything can get her distracted from her grandkids plans, it’s her art. “Is everything ready for the grand opening?”

  “No. There is still much work to be done.”

  Mom talks on, leaving us free to relax for a minute.

  Lori and I share a stare, and she mouths a thank you to me.

  When Mom stands up to get dessert, Dad turns to Lori. “We should all go to the gallery opening together. What do you say?”

  “I’d love to.” Lori turns to me for confirmation.

  And I nod.

  “It’s a date, then,” my dad says jovially.

  We eat Mom’s famous Battenberg cake and homemade coffee cremino bonbons and at half past four, I dare to ask to take Lori home.

  Jessica jumps at the opportunity to leave, saying her car is blocking ours, so she has to go, too.

  Dad and I help Mom clear the table and do the dishes, and once everything is clean, we all get ready to go. We say our goodbyes to my parents, and Jessica escorts us out, placing herself between us and looping an elbow with each of us.

  “Kids,” she says once we’re halfway down the driveway and out of earshot of my parents. “You made me proud today. I wouldn’t have been able to tell half of what you said was made up.”

  I roll my eyes. “Whatever, sis.”

  And then she actually surprises me by saying, “I’m thrilled you’re giving this thing between you a real shot.”

  “But you’re still going to blackmail us for free labor?”

  “Totally.” She lets us go and continues down to her car, waving back at us. “Bye, kiddos, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Jessica gets in her car and backs out of my parents’ driveway, honking in greeting as she speeds down the road.

  After my sister disappears around the corner, Lori looks up at me, hugging my low waist. “Dealing with your family was so much worse than I expected.”

  I drop my forehead to hers. “What did you expect?”

  “For it to be a little less intense,” she says.

  “Want me to take you home?”

  “Yes, please.” Lori pulls back and stares up at me. “Will you spend the night?”

  I smirk. “I don’t know. Are the cats going to accept me in their bed?”

  “It’s my bed, and they’d better get used to you sharing it.”

  I have to keep my emotions in check and not read too much into her words. It’s just early days, and no matter how much I want it, I can’t get my hopes up. Lori won’t forget Aiden that easily. After all the years of secretly loving him, it won’t be so fast.

  I sure wouldn’t be able to forget her.

  We get into the car, and, as I reverse, I ask, “What do you want to do? Dinner and a movie?”

  Lori looks at me and blushes like she just thought of more naughty activities—the forbidden kind—which makes me almost lose control of the car and reverse right into my parents’ mailbox. Luckily, I hit the brakes in time.

  Once I get onto the main road, Lori smiles. “I don’t know about dinner,” she says, patting her belly. “I’m still stuffed, but I’m definitely in the mood for a rom-com.”

  Mock-outraged, I frown. “Movie, I said movie. I never agreed to a rom-com.”

  Lori pats me on the shoulder. “But you have some catch-up to do on the fake-dating scene.”

  “I thought we weren’t fake dating anymore?”

  “We’re not, but we need to put together a more detailed storyline about the first month of our relationship, so we’ll be more prepared for the next grilling. A good rom-com could provide plenty of inspiration.”

  “How long do you think people will obsess about us?”

  “Until we become old news.”

  “And were you serious when you said you wanted to tell your parents in person?”

  “Yes.” Lori nods, turning thoughtful. “But I want to wait until we’re sure if that’s okay with you?”

  “Yep. Plus, you don’t risk being ratted out like I was.”

  “That’s why I keep a comfortable eleven-hundred-mile cushion between me and my family.”

  “Just in case you start fake dating your best friend and don’t want to be discovered?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Is fake dating really a thing? They made many movies about it?”

  Lori mock-sighs and gently pats me on the leg. “Oh, Jacey Pooh, you literally have no clue what you’ve signed up for.”

  Maybe I don’t, but I don’t remember ever being more excited to find out.

  24

  LORI

  Now that Jace and I are dating for real, Monday at work feels different. For starters I don’t drive to work alone. Jace spent the night at my place yesterday and he dropped me here before going home to change.

  Then as I settle at my desk to go through my emails before my first patient of the day arrives, I get an adrenaline kick when my phone buzzes with a text from Jace:

  From Jace:

  Can’t stop thinking about you. See you at lunch ;)

  The wink makes my heart do a little somersault. Even if it’s just in a text, I can picture the real thing and, oh boy.

  I smile to myself, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. It’s crazy how much things have changed between us in such a short amount of time.

  Even more so when there’s a knock on my door and I look up to find Aiden in the doorway, holding two cups of coffee and… nothing.

  No breaths getting hitched in my throat. No quickening of my pulse. No flush to my cheeks. Just genuine affection for my best friend.

  I give him a simple smile and a wave toward the empty chair in front of me.

  “Good morning, Aidenberry. Coffee smells great, thanks!”

  He hands me one of the cups and sits down across from me.

  “So, how’s life going?” he asks, sounding a little awkward.

  “Never been better.” I beam.

  “Yeah, I can tell, you’re practically glowing.” He shifts on the chair and gives me another weird look before he says, “And I wanted to apologize.” I frown. What does he have to apologize for? He must read the question in my expression because he elaborates, “Sorry it took me a minute to get on board with you and Jace dating. I guess I was a little shocked at first and worried about what it would mean for our friendship and, well, work…”

  I stare at him a little dumbfounded. The fact that he, the guy I’ve lied to and forced Jace to lie to as well while I was trying to manipulate him into jealousy to sabotage his wedding, should apologize to me about it is beyond ridiculous. Aiden really is a good guy. Sweet, honest, loyal, true.

  I shake my head as I look into Aiden’s angel face. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”

  I’m sorry I’ve lied to you, I add in my head.

  And even if he can’t know, I don’t mean just about inventing a relationship with Jace. I mean about all the years I haven’t been honest with my feelings for him. If I had been, who knows, I could’ve discovered a lot sooner we were not meant to be, romantically, and I could’ve let my heart open for the other significant man in my life.

  And I hate that even now, I can’t tell him everything. Confess how truly new and explosive this thing growing inside me for Jace is. Ask his opinion, his counsel. But I hope that all the lies I’ve told will soon turn into the truth and that there’ll be no more secrets between the three of us.

  Aiden waves me off with a bright smile. “Oh, it’s nothing, I understand why you didn’t tell me right away and it’s okay. I’m just glad you two are happy.”

  Our receptionist picks this moment to interrupt us. “Morning doctors, your first patients of the day have arrived.”

  “Be right there.”

  Aiden stands up and, on impulse, I do the same, rounding my desk and pulling him into a hug.

  “What’s this for?” He chuckles.

  “For being the best friend in the world. Jace and I are so lucky to have you.”

  Aiden hugs me back but still teases me. “Already talking in the plural, you’re going to give me diabetes.”

  “You eat too healthy for that,” I joke.

  Aiden pats my shoulders and then leaves. And even if I couldn’t be completely honest with him, I feel better after talking to him. I’m relieved that he doesn’t have a problem with Jace and I being in a relationship, that he’s just happy for us. Kirsten sure is a lucky woman. No, I don’t envy her anymore. I’m still not sure she’s good enough for him, but if she makes him happy, I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt for the first time.

  At lunchtime, Jace shows up right after my last appointment of the morning, looking impossibly hot and snuggly in a light-gray cashmere sweater.

  My heart races as my best friend, ex-fake-boyfriend, now-real-boyfriend pulls me in for a kiss. It’s only been a few hours since we saw each other, but it feels like an eternity. His lips are soft and warm against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as we deepen the kiss.

  When we finally pull away, Jace grins down at me. “You have no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to this,” he says.

  I chuckle. “Oh, I have a pretty good idea.”

  He takes my hand and we join Aiden for lunch at the salad bar across the street. As the three of us eat together, it finally doesn’t seem awkward. We’re just us, joking and sharing medical cases. We’re the same and yet everything is changed. But only for the best.

  I’m happy, Aiden is happy, and Jace—he looks positively radiant. Like the broody cloud that followed him everywhere has lifted for good, the ice has melted and he’s finally allowing himself to truly feel and be happy.

  Our eyes meet across the table and he winks at me, and, oh gosh, the reaction the simple gesture sparks in me.

  I feel a warm flush spread through my cheeks, and I know that I’m blushing. His smile is enough to set my heart racing, and I can’t help but think how lucky I am to have him in my life. Aiden clears his throat and brings me back to reality, giving me a knowing look.

  We all burst out laughing, and I swear I’ve never been happier in my entire life.

  25

  LORI

  Thursday night I’m home alone, packing my bag for Aiden’s bachelor party. This is the only wedding event I put my foot down for. I accepted my bridesmaid destiny stoically. Even when I was still fully in love with the groom, I went to the engagement party, the dress fittings, and, next Saturday, I’ll attend the bridal shower—shudder. But no way was I going to end up stuck with Kirsten, Kendall, and their cadre of pageant queens for an entire weekend while Aiden and Jace, my real friends, were out having fun somewhere else. So, as unusual as it might be, I’m going to the bachelor party.

  And dare I say that for the first time in my life I’m almost relieved Aiden is getting married. If he were still single, me dating Jace would rock our dynamics, making our three-way friendship weird, I suppose, unbalanced. But these days, Aiden hardly goes anywhere without Kirsten and, even if she’ll never be part of the group, him having a wife will oddly balance things out if Jace and I keep dating.

  And if we don’t… my heart pangs. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t see a scenario where we don’t end up together, at least not at the pace my feelings are catching up to Jace’s.

  Anyway, for the bachelor party, we’re leaving straight from the office tomorrow afternoon and heading to O’Hare to catch a plane to New Orleans—which means temperatures at least thirty degrees warmer.

  I open a suitcase on the bed and turn to my closet, considering what to pack.

  My new little black dress is a given, and I won’t even need to wear tights with it in the mild southern weather. But I’d better pair the dress with flats. We’re going to stroll bar to bar and I wouldn’t last an hour walking in my new silver pumps.

  I pull the dress from the hanger and fold it. But when I turn to put it in the suitcase, I find it full of cats. Leia has one side all to herself, while the other three have squeezed in the other half.

  “What are you doing in my suitcase?”

  The cats look up at me with big, round, innocent eyes.

  “We already talked about this. Suitcases aren’t for kitties.”

  I really hope they didn’t bring me one of their special gifts—the last time I went on a trip I opened my suitcase to a dreadful smell of decay and rot, only to find a dead sparrow hidden among my clothes. I had to throw away most of what I had packed and buy new stuff. Aiden and Jace never let me hear the end of it.

  Leia twitches her whiskers and stretches to the length of the suitcase.

  I sigh. I pick up Ben and Chewie and drop them in the hall outside my room. Han Solo is next. But when I go back to move Leia, Ben has returned, and the other two are already jumping back on the bed.

  I need a decoy and a little reverse psychology. “It’s okay, you can stay, I’m going to use a different suitcase.”

  I grab a larger one that’s too big for a weekend trip and open it in the hall. The cats ignore me at first, but as I fold dirty laundry into the case, their heads turn my way. Ben is the first to come. The silver tabby jumps into the bait suitcase, kneads the dirty laundry, and then goes to sleep.

  The others follow suit, all except for Leia. Still in my trolley, she’s staring at me with a challenge written all over her green eyes.

  “Really?” She seems to want to tell me. “You might trick those simpletons with your fake luggage, but you can’t fool me.”

  I go to the bed and pick her up. “Sorry, Smarty Paws, you have to go, too.”

  I drop her in the suitcase with the others and close the bedroom door. I don’t reopen it until my actual bag is closed and zipped. No stinky surprises this time. When I check on them again, all the cats are curled up and asleep. I guess dirty laundry is a pretty comfortable mattress.

  As the doorbell rings, I tip-toe past them and down the stairs.

  I hop down the last few steps and fling the door open to find Jace on the other side, holding takeout pizza boxes. We didn’t have plans to see each other tonight, but this, contrary to dead birds, is the kind of surprise I like.

  Jace’s smile is a killer—crooked, sexy, gets me every single time—as he says, “I thought we’d get one last deep dish before we head to a foreign land.”