Page 53 of Don't Fall For Your Fake Boyfriend

It’s crazy, right?

I wish there was somebody I could talk to about it. I wish I could talk to Anya about it, but she’d never understand. Would she?

I feel like I need advice. I need to know how to tell Brock my feelings for him have changed. That I want this to be real.

What would he think about it?

“Are you okay?” February asks me as everyone else in the room chatters away. “You look like you’re a million miles away.”

“Can you keep a secret?”

February leans in closer. “Always.”

I trust February. We met when she moved to Magnolia Ridge with her then-boyfriend, Harrison. Now they’re married, and I couldn’t be happier for her. “How did you know Harrison was the one?”

Feb smiles wide. “Honestly, I think it’s a feeling you get when you look at him. When I see Harrison my whole world lights up. I get this ache deep in my chest like I never want him to leave.”

I nod, recognizing the aching feeling because that’s how I felt last night while watching Brock sleeping. “Ah, I think I get it.”

February winks. “If it helps I think Brock is feeling the same way about you that you are about him.”

“Really?” I ask her. “How can you tell?”

“The way his face lights up when you walk into a room.”

He could just be a good actor, I want to say, but would never. “Oh,” I say instead.

Before I can answer her my phone lights up. I grab it, glancing down at the group thread I have with my brothers. My five older brothers. Who are currently back in Magnolia Ridge taking care of the Moore Restaurant. It’s family-owned, and it’s where I work as a hostess manager.

“Excuse me,” I tell February, turning away so I can read the influx of messages coming through my phone.

Jasper: Just saw online that you’re dating Brock Atwood, is this true?

Oliver: Please tell me you’re not planning on marrying him in Vegas.

Me: Where would you even get an idea like that?

Being the youngest of five brothers is sometimes a challenge. To say they’re overprotective of me is an understatement.

Me: And yes, we’re dating.

I hate lying to my brothers, but I can’t let anyone know this is fake. I can just tell my brothers we broke up whenever I get back home. I’m sure they’ll threaten to kick Brock’s ass, but I’ll need to make sure my brothers know that it was my idea to split.

If we even split at all.

Maybe, just maybe Brock feels the same way I do, and he’ll want to keep this going too.

Kai: Lil’ sis, we’ll need to talk with him when both of you return from Vegas. Don’t do anything stupid like get married on a whim.

I laugh. Leave it to my older brothers to expect the worst. Like I said, overprotective.

Hendrix: We’re happy for you. Brock is a stand-up guy, and the Atwoods are great people. Congrats.

Miles: I agree. I’ve always kind of suspected you two had a thing for each other.

Miles is the closest to me in age. And he’s actually the one who was in school with all the Atwoods, even though Brock is younger than me. Miles used to hang out with the Atwoods and was even invited to this wedding but couldn’t make it because of work.

Miles isn’t the first person to suspect Brock and I have always had feelings for each other. Do other people see something we can’t? Does Brock really like me?