Chapter 20
Natalie
Tip #20: Timing is everything. Announcing your fake engagement before your dad’s second cup of coffee is a rookie mistake.
T he early morning sun warmed the frost-covered windows of my parents’ house. I hesitantly opened their front door, dreading their reaction to the news I was about to deliver.
I stepped into the house and started to take off my snow boots. “Mom? Dad?”
The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, so I knew they were up.
I tried again. “Mom? Dad?”
I’d wiggled one boot off when Owen slithered from the living room, where he’d been hiding, into the entryway, his lanky frame filling the doorway.
Crap.
Owen was the one family member I wanted to avoid the most.
I frantically tried to put my boot back on, hoping I could still escape.
“Nuh-uh,” Owen said. “Not happening. Take your other boot off. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Fine.” I reluctantly pulled off my other boot under Owen’s watchful gaze.
Hanging my winter coat on the overloaded coat rack that was going to bite the dust sooner or later, I meekly hunched my shoulders and scooted past Owen into the cozy living room, where I was calmed by the familiarity of the knickknack-covered shelves that lined the walls and the plaid couches that invited weary souls, like me, to sit.
Dad sat in his worn but comfortable plaid recliner, still in his pajamas, cradling a mug—he was probably working on his morning coffee. Mom was dressed for the day and perched in her favorite rocking chair, but she got up quickly when she saw me, enveloping me in a warm hug that smelled of her floral perfume.
“Hello, sweetheart!” she gushed, squeezing me tightly.
“I’m engaged,” I blurted out. The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.
The room went silent, and I felt Dad’s eyes burning my back.
I gulped. “Sam and I are engaged.” I braced myself, preparing for their reactions.
The room was so quiet I wondered if I’d killed my parents with shock. I stepped out of my mom’s hug—she didn’t resist. My hand shook as I raised it to reveal the stunning diamond ring with little emeralds nestled around it that had once belonged to Samuel’s grandmother.
The ring seemed to catch every ray of sunlight streaming through the window, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the living room.
“Engaged?” My mother’s voice was barely more than a whisper as she backed away from me. Her eyes were wide and her eyebrows—penciled in with makeup—kept their perfect arch even as they traveled north toward her hairline.
The weighty silence was shattered when my father’s coffee cup slipped from his grasp, thudding against the hardwood floor—empty, thankfully.
“OH MY GOODNESS!” Mom screamed, her voice reaching an octave I didn’t know was humanly possible.
I panicked—she was angry. She was so angry she was… clapping her hands together in delight?
“My baby is engaged! This is so exciting! I’m so happy!” My mom teared up as she beamed at me with joy.
For maybe the first time since I started this fake relationship, I felt a stabbing twinge of guilt for deceiving my family.
Mom continued to squeal in joy while Dad stared into space. Owen, on the other hand, glowered at me from across the room, arms crossed and looking as sour as a lemon.
“Sweetie, when did this happen?” Mom caught her breath as she wiped a tear from her eye.
“Last night, at the book sale. I’m surprised nobody texted you to tattle on us. Grandpa Mann was there with Keely and Noah.”
“My phone is dead, dear,” Mom explained, patting her pocket. “And your father, well, you know he always keeps his phone on silent until after his second cup of coffee.”
“Where’s Samuel?” Dad’s deep voice resonated with authority as he stood from his recliner.
“Um, I, um, asked him not to come with me,” I stammered, avoiding Owen’s piercing gaze. “Which I know is kind of weird since the news involves both of us. But. I wanted to come by myself in case there were any... objections.”
“Objections?” Mom fanned herself with a hunting magazine she’d swiped from the coffee table. “Why, we never thought our Natalie would end up with a Warner boy, but Samuel is such a nice young man. Quite handsome too, and even Grandma Mann likes him!”
“Nat,” Dad said. “Will you be happy with him?” Dad’s eyes locked on mine, searching for any hint of doubt or uncertainty.
“Yes,” I said immediately.
Dad wrapped me in a bear hug. “Congratulations, pumpkin,” he said gruffly.
I started to get teary—touched by my parents’ reactions—until I realized I’d told Dad I’d be happy with Samuel without even stopping to ponder the question, which was alarming given that this engagement wasn’t real !
“Congratulations, sis,” Owen muttered through gritted teeth as he threw an arm around my shoulders. “I’m so happy for you, but can we talk for a second?”
“No—” I started.
Owen interrupted me. “Thanks a bunch. Let’s go.”
He dragged me from the living room.
“Owen, what are you doing?” I hissed, struggling uselessly against his grip.
“Trust me, it’ll only take a second.” He pulled me into the small guest bathroom, which was decorated in a chicken motif. The wallpaper was covered with plump hens and roosters, and the hand towels had little chicks embroidered on them. I had mixed feelings about the decor, as it felt a little weird with all the chicken knickknacks staring at me with their little black eyes whenever I tried to go to the bathroom, but Mom loved it.
When the door shut behind us, Owen leaned against it and whispered angrily, “What is going on? You told me the plan was to fake date Samuel Warner, not marry him!”
“I know, I know,” I stammered, feeling cornered by both Owen and the dozens of chickens staring at me from every surface. “I didn’t expect it either. Sam just... he said he cracked under pressure from his family and proposed.”
“Really?” Owen asked, disbelief dripping from his words. “You actually believe that story?”
“Of course I do!” I snapped defensively. “Why else would Samuel Warner want to marry me?”
Owen rubbed his face. “I don’t know.”
I fiddled with the engagement ring until I realized what I was doing and slapped my hands against my jeans. “Is there any possibility this is all some big scheme Samuel has? A new way to get back at the Manns?” I asked, finally voicing the tiny doubt that had nagged me ever since I woke up that morning.
“No,” Owen said firmly. “He’s too at ease and relaxed when you two hang out. Jenna even says she’s never seen him this happy, and she wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
We stood in silence for a moment, letting the absurdity of the situation sink in. Here we were, two grown adults holed up in a chicken-themed bathroom, conspiring about a fake engagement.
I was a minute away from breaking into laughter—apparently I was more prone to hysterics than I’d realized—but Owen stopped me before I totally lost it.
“Maybe you’re right.” His shoulders slumped in defeat. “We have to trust that Samuel believed he had to propose to you.”
I exhaled, relief washing over me. “Thank you, Owen.”
“However,” Owen raised a finger for emphasis, “this fake engagement will make breaking up without reigniting the family fight a lot harder. And I’m not thrilled about that.” He paused, then added, “And I don’t like my little sister getting fake engaged. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be happy for the engagement or relieved it’s not real.”
“Leave smoothing over our breakup to Sam and me.” I tried to sound confident, but my stomach twisted at the thought. “Maybe we’ll have to fake our relationship longer than planned to give Jenna and you time to cement your relationship.”
Owen sourly muttered, “It’s your choice, but be careful. Mom will have you picking out wedding dresses, and Samuel’s mother will get you two to book a venue for a wedding that won’t be happening. If you don’t watch it, you’ll be married to Sam before you know it.”
I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. “That’s not going to happen. Samuel wouldn’t let it happen!”
Owen made a noise of disbelief, and we stood in awkward silence, watched by the chickens. Finally, he reluctantly offered, “Congratulations on your engagement to your lifelong enemy.”
“Can it, Owen. Just open the door so I can leave. I need to get to Mom before she calls up her church ladies and starts planning a wedding that isn’t happening.”
“Hey, you chose this.”
“Thanks for the support.”