16. CHAPTER 16
Jeremy
Sunday night wraps us in warmth inside my brother Gavin’s house while we dine with him and his fiancée, Hope. Zuri and I arrived in Pleasant View two hours ago, which gave them ample time to get acquainted. The dinner table is still flowing with half-devoured exotic dishes Hope made for us. Now, our stomachs satisfied, we sit surrounded by the lingering aromas. The pendant lights cast a warm glow over us and illuminate the open space stretching into the living room.
Hope is recounting her experiences since she arrived in the States six months ago. “Gavin’s made it easy for me.” Her voice carries a blend of African and British inflections, her skin, a shade deeper than Zuri’s, glows under the light, and her deep affection for Gavin warms her dark eyes. “The biggest challenge has been adjusting to the winter.”
“Yet, you’re always eager to hit the slopes every weekend.” Gavin nudges her shoulder, and she’s so delicate I almost warn my brother to be careful. But she’s proved her spunk, and besides, I’ve seen his tender care for her. Even now, his voice is soft, and his eyes, blue like mine, shine with affection.
“That’s because I want to be confident on skis before the snow season ends.” She spreads out her hands, including us. “Maybe we can all go skiing before Jeremy and Zuri head back to California.”
“Definitely.” I give Zuri’s shoulder a reassuring tap, my hand resting behind her chair. In her yellow top with dark leggings, she appears casual for a relaxed night, but uncertainty now glosses her eyes.
“I’m rarely around snow, let alone ski.” She bites her full lower lip. “Unless watching the Winter Olympics counts?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you.” The idea of being on the slopes with her excites me.
“Gavin taught me in January.” Hope recounts her experience. “I’m not great at it yet, but it’s fun. You’ll love it.”
“Yes, you will.” I wink, then sense my brother assessing me.
When I look at him, he has that knowing smile as he asks, “You never told me how your engagement party went.”
I mentioned the party during our phone call the night before we gathered with our friends.
“Zee should give you the details.” I nod toward Hope, who’s now leaning forward, eager for how we handled a fake-engagement party.
“Why me?” Zuri asks.
“You’re more into the details than I am.” She was the mastermind behind the party. My role was mere support, following her lead.
“My friends already know Jeremy and I are a pretend couple.” Zuri’s hands animate her story while Gavin rubs Hope’s back as they listen. “I couldn’t say no when they wanted to throw us a party.”
“We ended up hosting the party ourselves.” I chime in, my arm resting behind Zuri. “And we didn’t just host. We cooked and served everyone.”
“It was buffet style.” Zuri turns my way with the gentle smile that always stirs something deep inside me. “Okay, we did put in some effort to prepare the meals.”
“She wouldn’t let me hire a caterer.” My protest is half-hearted, a playful jab at her independence, even though she was wise to win over people to spread the word.
“That was a perfect chance to test out my recipes.” Zuri then addresses Gavin and Hope. “Turns out, your brother can really cook.”
“Really?” Gavin raises his eyebrows in mock surprise and I offer a modest shrug.
“I have no choice when Zuri summons me to her café for dinner,” I say. “That’s if she doesn’t end up smothering my hair with flour.”
“Food wars.” She elbows my ribs.
“I have to warn you about her ‘food wars’ in case you ever find yourselves in the kitchen together.” My fingers trace over her shoulder. Her exposed neck tempts my touch, but seizing any excuse for contact feels right. Her skin is soft, and her figure so enticing.
“I’m looking forward to witnessing these kitchen battles.” Hope glances between Gavin and me, her amused look suggesting an unspoken understanding.
There’s no need to convince anyone of the authenticity of our relationship. The easy back and forth of our conversation, not to mention our laughter and shared looks, speak volumes more than any pretense ever could.
“Can I see your ring again?” Hope scoots forward.
Zuri, without hesitation, extends her hand across the table, allowing the diamonds to catch the light. As Hope examines the ring, rotating Zuri’s finger to get a better look, pride surges through me. Perhaps she would be okay with turning our relationship into something for real.
“Quite the ring for a fake engagement,” my brother quips.
I shoot him a look that says “back off,” but choose a lighter retort. “Well, why not go all in?”
“It’s funny that your friends are in on the act.” Hope releases Zuri’s hand. “Yet they threw you an engagement party.”
Gavin gestures between us. “Maybe your friends are hoping you’ll turn this fa?ade into reality.”
Zuri slinks back, seeming to retreat into herself as she wraps her arms around her body. “My brother doesn’t know.”
Despite sharing a home with him and her friends, she’s yet to break the news to him, a decision she seems confident in, though not entirely comfortable with.
“Why haven’t you told him?” Hope’s eyes fill with concern reflecting Zuri’s inner conflict.
“He’s protective of me. Since Jeremy and I are, well, pretending…” Zuri’s voice drops as she glances at me, and I drape my hand over her back for comfort perhaps or just because it’s become natural for me to keep my hands on her. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment. But the longer I wait, the harder it’s become, especially now that he’s gotten used to Jer.”
Hearing her use Jer endearingly tightens something in my chest.
“I feel like”—her whisper dips even lower—“like I’m betraying my faith by lying to those I love.”
I keep silent. Hope and Gavin are spiritual and can best comfort Zuri.
“I can relate to thinking God is not on your side.” Hope clasps Zuri’s hand. “I feel like that a lot of times. Gavin has helped me understand the nature of God.”
“We help each other,” he adds, then delves into their journey of faith since they met in Uganda.
Gavin’s story with Hope—finding each other after his past heartbreak—makes me appreciate their bond. He’s found peace and happiness with her, a stark contrast to his past turmoil.
Zuri then sits up straighter, her clasp on Hope’s hand seeming tighter. “So, do you think we can convince Sara about us?” Her eyes, alive with a playful spark, flash my way, and she nudges me. “Given my brief encounter with her at Jer’s office, I think I need all the pointers I can get before I meet her tomorrow.”
She’s laughing, but I can hear a genuine concern beneath her light tone.
“You don’t need to convince her in any way.” Dismissing the notion of any required pretense, Gavin drapes his hand on Hope’s shoulder.
“I agree with Gavin.” Hope nestles comfortably against his side.
Their unanimous front, paired with Zuri’s mischievous smile, sparks a warmth within me, a silent acknowledgment of the bond we’ve formed. Yet, beneath this friendship lies a looming dread—the end of our pretend relationship is near, a mere six days away. We’ve yet to discuss how we’ll navigate our final day, despite the deep dive into this charade.
While it terrifies me to risk another relationship, Zuri is different, and I’m hoping I still have enough time to work up the nerve to confess how I feel. No doubt, she likes me. After all, when I kissed her on the rooftop, she kissed me like she’d been thinking about kissing me.
It’s not just the kiss, though. We’ve had plenty of sweet moments. But, more importantly, we like each other and enjoy spending time together.
The evening progresses, and Hope and Zuri connect with an ease that comforts me. Not that I ever doubted Hope’s ability to connect, given her easygoing personality.
As we begin clearing the table, Hope shares more wisdom with Zuri about facing my mom. “No matter how convincing you two are as a couple”—she scoops food into a glass container—“Sara always has a scheme.”
Gavin takes the container from Hope and puts it in the stainless steel fridge. “No one will ever be perfect for Mom’s boys unless she’s chosen them as our spouses.”
Good thing Zuri is staying with Hope instead of at my parents’ house. I shudder thinking of Mom’s original sleep arrangements. I turn on the water and snatch the dirty plate from Zuri. “Is Mom still planning to have Sonya stay at the house?”
“Lucky and her parents are also staying the night at our house, starting Thursday.”
Lucky? Seriously? Mom’s still in touch with Gavin’s ex? “Two days before the wedding?”
“The families have been friends for years, so that figures.” Gavin reaches for another food container, keeping his foot on the fridge to wedge it open. He calmly accepts Mom’s plans, even when they include uncomfortable arrangements, unlike me with my unvoiced reservations.
“She’s not happy you’re staying with me by the way,” he says. “Either that or the fact that Uncle Luke gets to stay in your room instead.”
“It will be a good thing for Mom to bond with her brother, don’t you think?” I stack the drippy plate into the dishwasher.
He shrugs. “They haven’t seen each other in a long time. She’s probably more anxious about how they’re going to cope under the same roof.”
Speaking of family members, Gavin and I discuss the relatives anticipated at his house for the evening.
Meanwhile, Hope and Zuri are chattering about wedding preparations. I hear something about Hope’s plans for her bridesmaids that week.
“Gavin and I were planning to show some photos of our time in Uganda.”
“I want to see your adventures from Uganda!” Zuri clutches both of Hope’s hands, giddy, her curls bouncing. Man, she’s so adorable.
“Once the food’s put away, we can flip through a slideshow. Hope’s got it all ready for the ceremony.” Pride deepens Gavin’s voice. “It will be showcased during the ceremony.”
Soon, we settle onto the sofa. We watch vibrant images of their time at a hospital with the children, as well as them both standing in front of a breathtaking waterfall, and then their traditional ceremony that, with its informal nature, radiates authenticity and warmth. They look so happy, and a thought occurs to me about my upcoming best-man speech.
As I adjust my position, my leg brushes against Zuri’s. She doesn’t seem to notice with her attention fixed on the TV, but I’m contemplating moving again so I can repeat the sensation. Focus, buddy! I clear my throat. “These pictures are perfect. They’ll help me add depth to my speech.”
Gavin, lounging with ease, extends his arm along the sofa back behind Hope. “You know me better than anyone—no need for a formal speech.” He winks. “Unless you want to mention all those times I had to clean up your messes.”
“Seriously?” Yes, he’s teasing, and while I want to out him for his old habits of leaving his shoes in the middle of the house and letting the nanny clean up after him, I give him a free ticket so I don’t scare Hope.
“If my time with Jer is anything to go by”—Zuri jumps in with a playful defense—“I’d say he’s the meticulous one. It seems like he’s the one always cleaning up.”
My chest swells, more from her eagerness to defend me, than from her words themselves. I wrap an arm around her, drawing her closer, trying not to notice how well she fits or how good she feels. “You know me so well.” My voice cracks, the warmth in it unmistakable.
Gavin throws us a curious glance and smirks. “How long have you two been acquainted?”
“Long enough to actually like each other.” Hope taps his chest.
“But I’m more eager to hear how you two met.” Zuri’s eyes sparkle under the dim lights, her proximity thrilling me. “Please, do tell.”
“It wasn’t your typical meet-cute story.” Gavin grins as he faces Hope, his voice warm. “Hope had—and clearly still has—such an incredible spirit.”
“And Gavin is very bold.” Hope’s eyes light up. “It all started when he defended me from my mean boss. He was the first person to stand up for me.”
As they tell their love story, Zuri oohs and aahs, her hand resting on her chest as she takes in all the details. She asks questions, clearly not wanting to miss a step in their love story. Yes, this beauty’s a romantic.
We laugh and reminisce about their time in Uganda. The night stretches on until almost midnight when we drive the girls back to Hope’s place, a cozy ranch house—one of the investment properties Gavin will sell or rent after the wedding.
I hover by the door with Zuri standing not far from me as Gavin and Hope share a tender good-night kiss in the living room. My gaze drifts to the African wall hangings and a woven basket on the coffee table. It’s best I look anywhere but at Zuri as my mind whirls with the possibility of kissing her again.
“It’s a great place,” she says, and I manage a glance at her, her hands clasping her luggage.
“You have my number,” I mention, completely off topic. My mind isn’t in the game. Stay cool, buddy. You can do this. I stick to the phone sentence I was trying to say. “Call me if you—”
“Get nightmares?” Zuri says playfully as she bites her lower lip, and I struggle to look at her without thinking of how those lips taste. “With the mountains and all, a mountain lion or bear could be chasing me down.”
I laugh, though it’s strained. My glance inadvertently seeks out Gavin as discomfort over their intimacy tightens my gut and heats my skin. It’s not just their affection that unsettles me—it’s the growing realization of my desire for Zuri. The longing is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. I take a step backward, and I hit the closed door. But at least, the slight distance keeps me from reaching for Zuri and kissing her senseless right in front of my brother and his fiancée.
“Breakfast.” My mouth feels dry, and my gaze catches. “We’ll eat together. Gavin and I.” What’s with me? I’m struggling to piece my thoughts into coherent sentences. “We’ll pick you up.”
Restless, I rub the back of my neck, an attempt to distract my hands. Memories of our kiss flicker through my mind, haunting yet precious. The ease with which I could kiss her again battles with my resolve not to toy with her. That kiss was real, filled with our raw emotions.
But before I dare kiss her again, it’s crucial that Zuri grasps the depth of my feelings. So how do I reveal my true feelings and risk investing in us?