The Art of Falling in Love with Your Fake Fiancé: A small town closed door romantic comedy (Sweetkis

21. Georgie

TWENTY-ONE

“So, if I’m going to be an author, I figured I should start a journal.” Duncan hoists a giant five-subject notebook on the counter in front of me. “I’m going to write in it every day and put down what I did.”

“That’s a good idea,” I say casually as I price the stack of books in front of me. “Have you started already?”

“On Sunday, after our first Sunday dinner with Grandma.” He pats the notebook and slides it my way. “Can you keep it back there for now? I don’t want to lose it while I’m here working my shift.”

“Sure.” I slide it under the counter. Duncan has been with me at the store almost every day for the last ten days, ever since Lorna called off the court case. It’s been blissful and surreal as we’ve all settled into a new pattern, routines that needed to be there, and now that they are we’re all benefiting from them. Even Toto, who is getting walked twice a day by Duncan now as well as serious playtime in the park, usually after work.

“You know, we shouldn’t call it a shift since technically you’re not supposed to be ‘working,’” I tease.

“Well, you’re paying me in books, so we can’t be breaking the law.”

Wise guy. Still witty and I’m still not going to let him know I think so. Don’t want it going to his head.

“Good point.” I grab the stack of books and head into an aisle, placing them on their designated shelves. “Are you looking forward to moving into your new place with Levi this weekend?”

“Yeah!” Duncan cries out, jumping in place. “We’ll be in town now, so that is cool. I can go to the park when I want to, but we’ll still go to the farm, too. That’s also cool.”

“Everything is cool.” I giggle.

“You bet it is,” Duncan says excitedly. “Maybe Toto can even come stay with us sometimes?”

“Maybe,” I say with a shrug. “Toto is kind of happy in his old place now, though.”

Even if our old place has had a semi-makeover. With the help of Levi, Austin, and Duncan, I’d moved my boxes back into my apartment over the weekend, having renewed my lease for one more year. Only Levi managed to pull a fast one on me and surprise me. He’d told me that he and Austin would go out to my storage unit, get my furniture, and meet me at my place to move it back in.

When I arrived at my apartment, ready to move furniture, Levi stood on the porch holding his hands up in the air as if he was surrendering. “Do not be mad at me.”

He led me inside, and when he opened the door to my place, I discovered it was fully furnished with all new things. I’d navigated my way from room to room, my jaw dragging on the ground. He’d gone to Altman’s and repurchased a lot of the items I had on our fake bridal registry and outfitted my home totally under the radar.

“Levi said you got a signing bonus for your contract negotiations,” Duncan says as he joins me in front of the shelves. “What kind of contract did you negotiate?”

“I’ll explain it to you one day,” I respond, reaching out and ruffling his hair in much the same way Levi does. This kid still needs a haircut, and I’m going to make him an appointment today.

The ding of the bell over the front door signals a new customer. I stand up and head to the front, surprised to find a florist there with the largest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen.

“Are you Georgie Simpson?” the delivery man asks as I nod. “Sign here.”

I sign the sheet of paper he presents to me on a clipboard, watching as he places the bouquet on the front counter by the cash register. It’s so large that there’s no more room on the counter, not even if anyone wanted to buy a book.

“You’re sure it’s for me?”

The guy rolls his eyes and leaves, the bell ringing as he lets himself out.

“They’re pretty!” Duncan exclaims as we walk over to inspect the arrangement together. Lilies, roses, hyacinths, and more are stuffed into a beautiful glass vase. All of my favorites blended into one beautiful bundle.

I snatch the card that came with it from its hiding spot amongst the greenery, tearing open the envelope to see who sent them. When I slide the card out, I”m surprised to find there’s nothing on it. Just an “X.”

“Who’s it from?” Duncan asks, so I show him the card.

“Huh.” That’s all he says. It’s one word, but it’s weighted. I’ve got this kid’s number, you know.

“What does that ‘huh’ mean?” I say, narrowing my eyes as he giggles.

“Nothing, but maybe you’ll see,” he sings, clapping his hands together as the bell rings and the door opens again behind me.

Spinning around, I’m really surprised to see Mr. Altman hefting the giant metal ostrich I’d just returned back inside the store.

Mr. Altman in the bookstore with an ostrich? It’s like playing Clue.

“What is that for?” I ask incredulously as he places it beside the counter. “I don’t need that now.”

“It’s for you,” he says with a smirk, shooting a wink in Duncan’s direction. Beside me, Duncan claps in delight.

As Mr. Altman scoots out of the store, I turn around and place a hand on my hip. First eyeing the flowers, then the ostrich, then Duncan.

“Why do I feel like you know more than you’re letting on?”

“Because I do,” he squeals.

Note to Future Georgie: this kid will be terrible at surprises. Tell him nothing.

Laughing, I stare at him, wanting to shake him down for more info. “Duncan, you need to tell me what’s going on.”

Instead of responding, he just points outside to the street behind me. “Look out there.”

I turn around slowly, finding Levi standing on the sidewalk holding a giant sign. The words “I LOVE YOU” are clear as day, but it’s also been decorated, quite possibly by a very creative ten-year-old, with little scribbles all over it.

As I open the door to walk outside, Duncan yells out, “It’s a grand gesture!”

Fighting his own laughter, Levi waves the sign in the air for a couple of seconds before he drops it to his side. “Well, did it work?”

“Your grand gesture?” I say, reaching out to take the sign and look at it closer. It’s not just scribbling on the giant piece of cardboard, it’s a story of the last few weeks. There’s a drawing of a cup with what looks like lemons next to it, signifying my lemonades, ice cream cones, what must be Toto but kinda looks like a dark black lump with ears. But that’s okay, I’m sure he’d be happy to be included and not offended.

There’s also a farm, a stack of books, and a bookstore sign—Pages and Prose to be precise—and there’s a picture of a man and woman, stick figures of course, holding hands with a little boy, while nearby another man and woman are floating above them.

I point to the stick people, grinning. “I guess this is us, and your mom and Austin?”

“Yes and no,” Levi says, pointing to the stick drawing of the man, woman, and child. “This one is us with Duncan.” He then slides his finger to the other man and woman, floating above and shows me something I didn’t see before.

“These are wings. Angel wings, as Duncan said.” Levi’s blue eyes slam into mine. “It’s Tom and Katie watching us.”

My hand flies to my heart. I’ve been sucker punched by a ten-year-old kid.

“This is more than a grand gesture, it’s a declaration.” Levi reaches out and takes my hand. “I love you.”

“I know,” I say, threading my arms around his neck. “I love you, too. I think I always have.”

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about us. How we’ve been slowly getting to know each other over the last year or so, and how for me it’s always been you. I can’t imagine it not being you by my side as I move into a whole new phase of my life.”

“A new phase?” I tilt my head to one side.

“I signed a letter of resignation for my team this morning. I’ll do one more season, but next year is my last. The press release will come out tomorrow.” His gaze is pulled over my shoulder, and I turn to see Duncan in the doorway inspecting the ostrich. Levi then drags his eyes slowly back to mine. “Things have changed. I want something different now and it’s here in Sweetkiss Creek, not on the road.”

I’m pretty sure if one was to describe the look on my face they’d call it flabber-confused. It’s beyond surprise. “Are you serious?”

“It’s what I want.” Levi then raises his hand in the air, snapping his fingers. In a flash, Duncan is by his side, handing him a small box. I watch in stunned silence as Levi drops to one knee, opening the box to present the most beautiful emerald and diamond ring I have ever seen.

“One thing we didn’t do right when we got—” He clears his throat, putting his hand to his mouth as he speaks out the side of it. “Engaged,” he whispers. “We never got you a ring.”

He takes the tiny bauble from its box, holding it in the air for me to see.

“Georgina Simpson, I cannot and will not spend another day without you by my side.”

“Me neither,” Duncan adds for good measure, making both of us crack up.

“And because of that, I need to ask you if you will please do me…” He then wraps an arm around Duncan. “Do us the honor of becoming my wife?”

The world around me stops. It’s quiet. I don’t hear the cars driving by, the sound of a resident arguing with the meter maid. I’m pretty sure a dog was barking, but nope. Can’t hear that either. I can’t make out anything except for my heart beating so loud it sounds as if it is inside my head.

That and I scream “YES!”

Throwing myself into Levi’s waiting arms, I kiss him, but only the G-rated version because…well, we’ve got a young, impressionable boy standing with us, jumping up and down.

With Levi’s arms around me, I throw my head back and laugh.

I love this life. I love this man. I love this kid.

I love this.

It’s my forever. I’ve finally found my own forever home.

My version of family and it is amazing.