Chapter 11
Natalie
Tip #11: Use nicknames to convince others your relationship is real, and ideally to embarrass/irritate your coconspirator.
T he freezing wind whipped around Owen and me as we huddled together in a grocery store parking lot, standing in line for Javier’s food truck. I glanced over at Owen, his nurse scrubs peeking out from beneath his heavy winter coat, and tried my best to ignore the chattering of my teeth. My business casual attire and wool coat were no match for the cold.
“Remind me again, why are we waiting outside in this Arctic tundra for lunch?” I shivered.
“Because in the winter months, Javier’s is only open every other Tuesday, and you’re addicted to his tacos,” Owen said.
“Right, priorities,” I grumbled just as my phone rang. Fishing it out of my coat pocket, I saw that it was Samuel. That was surprising, since he preferred texting, not to mention it was the middle of a workday. I answered, tentative. “Hello?”
“Hey, Natalie. Am I interrupting you at work?” Samuel asked.
“No, I’m on lunch break. I’m grabbing tacos from Javier’s.”
“The food truck? You’re standing outside in the freezing cold by yourself?” He sounded incredulous.
“Uh, well, I’m not alone. Owen’s here too.”
“Ah, well that makes the freezing temperatures and terrible windchill OK then,” Samuel teased sarcastically. “Anyway. I called you, Miss Abominable Snowman, because I wanted to review our performance at the Warner family dinner.”
“Why?” I asked. “Did I screw up?”
“Not at all,” he said. “But you still need to be prepared for meeting my grandfather, and I want to make certain you are satisfied with how things went.”
“Aw, wow. You’re such a dutiful fa—fabulous boyfriend.” As I recovered from almost publicly calling Samuel my fake boyfriend, I glanced at Owen, and he pointedly looked at the other frozen Fox Creek residents standing in line with us.
Samuel chuckled, and the sound caressed my ears even though I was hearing it through a phone. “That’s right, I forgot you’ve got an audience. What other shameless things should I say while you can’t retaliate?”
“Watch it, snuggle-boo,” I shot back playfully. “If you go too far I’ll repay you next time we meet.”
“Good point. Speaking of which, we’re due for another public appearance around town.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Because we’re supposedly dating, honey bear.” Samuel sounded half amused, half irritated.
“Oh, yeah we are. I would totally love to go on a date with you,” I replied, impressing myself that I’d said it without gritting my teeth.
Owen nudged me and whispered, “Invite him to the sledding party tomorrow.”
I hesitated, unsure if the smaller group setting was the best way to sell our fake relationship. It wouldn’t have as big of an impact. But on the plus side, everyone in the group would gossip about Samuel’s presence.
“Hey, would you like to come to a sledding party with Owen and me tomorrow?” I asked, expecting him to decline.
“Sure, sounds fun,” he replied, shocking me. “Are you hoping I’ll get a face full of snow?”
“Darling, you know me too well.”
“Naturally,” Samuel said. “Text me the details when you have a moment.”
“Sounds great,” I agreed. “But, unfortunately, I should go. We’re almost at the front of the line. Only one person is left between us and the mouthwatering promise of Javier’s tacos.”
“Enjoy your lunch, Natalie,” Samuel said before hanging up. As I slipped my phone back into my coat pocket, it dawned on me that we’d just had a civil, even friendly conversation. Maybe ending the family feud was actually worth pursuing after all.
“Do you know what you’re getting?” Owen asked as the scent of sizzling carne asada and fresh cilantro tickled my frozen nostrils.
“Of course.” My stomach rumbled in anticipation. “I assumed we were getting our usuals.”
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Owen nodded with approval.
While the person in front of us continued ordering, I crowded closer to my older brother. “Thanks for the idea about inviting Sam to the sledding party.”
“No problem,” Owen replied, accepting my gratitude with a shrug.
“But, you know, as a good girlfriend,” I began sweetly, batting my eyelashes, “I’m concerned about making Sam feel welcome. So, if you happen to run into Jenna this afternoon, maybe you could invite her? I’m sure he’d feel so much better if his cousin went sledding with us too.”
Owen’s expression instantly shifted from warmth to irritation, and he glared at me. But before he could respond, the person ahead of us finished ordering, leaving the window open for us.
“Our turn!” I chirped, brightly bounding up to the truck and making my escape. “Javier! My man! I am dying for your tacos!”