Everything I Wish For (Lupine Valley #5)

2. Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Lauren

My alarm going off jars me from my dream. One that started out as a nightmare.

In my dream, I allowed myself to get back with Damon, and we were about to get married. I was in the white dress of my dreams, all satin and lace with a bouquet of pink peonies. The church doors swing open and when I see Damon my stomach plummets. My palms are cold and clammy, sweating with fear and nervousness. I don’t want to move my feet down the aisle, but they start moving on their own. I close my eyes, willing Damon to disappear, but when I open my eyes I see Brad instead. Elation takes over the fear, and my feet glide faster. His broad smile flashes just for me. But just before I could take his hand that was reaching for me, the alarm woke me up.

Ugh. Sitting up, I grab my phone to shut off the alarm

That dream of course has nothing to do with yesterday’s events. I roll my eyes at myself, and throw my legs over the side of my bed.

I take a quick shower, and put on my tightest jeans, with my favorite oversized sweater. I toss my hair into a messy bun and add a little bit of makeup. Then I add my knee high slipper socks because it’s New Hampshire in winter, and I’m still practical. Maybe my chances of getting Brad to agree to this mess will be higher if he thinks I look good. At least I’ll feel a little more confident. Even if it’s a false confidence.

Pulling out the pancake mix, and all the ingredients for the pancake bar, my nerves are hitching. What the hell did I get myself into?

My phone buzzes on the counter and it has to be Brad. He’s the only one I know who is awake on a Saturday morning at six thirty.

Brad: Does this favor that involves pancakes and bacon have anything to do with why Momma texted me last night asking why I didn’t tell her we’re dating?

Ugh. Mom. I knew she couldn’t keep it to herself.

Me: I mean, most likely. I’m so sorry. You can disown me now.

Brad: I’ll be there in an hour and a half for this discussion. You owe me extra bacon. And lots of coffee. It’s been a night over here at the Lupine Valley Police Department. yawning emoji

I will make him whatever he wants, as long as he isn’t mad at me, and helps me get out of this mess. At least he’s still showing up. Whether it’s to yell at me or help me will be seen.

I get to work on making this the best breakfast I can for him. After all, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. At least that’s what his mother, Momma R, always taught me growing up.

Before I know it, Brad is ringing my doorbell at precisely seven fifty-nine. He isn’t a minute late to anything. Ever. I wonder if that’s his police training, or just his choice. He was never late to anything in high school, not even the dreaded math class with Mr. Clarke.

I open the door and look at him ashamed. “Hey there.” I step aside, letting him in the house.

He looks into my living room and sees the piles of boxes, “Wow, this must be serious if you haven’t started decorating yet.”

“It’s only November second.” I roll my eyes. Him and Addy both calling me out.

“L, I could set the calendar by your house. Precisely, on November first, you start putting up lights.” He stares at me waiting for me to argue with him.

“Fine. It’s serious.” I sigh.

After taking his coat to hang up, I lead him to the kitchen where his breakfast feast awaits, a plate piled high with bacon, one with berries, a bowl of fresh made whipped cream, real maple syrup from the farm down the road, and a tray of pancakes.

“Damn, this looks amazing. I can’t wait to hear what you got me into this time.” He smirks at me taking his seat at my kitchen table.

“Okay, fine, can we stop acting like I’m the troublemaker?” He’s acting like I do this kind of thing all the time.

“Well, aren’t you?” He laughs while he drowns his pancakes in syrup.

“This time. Maybe. But not in general!”

“Okay, okay, how about you start with why my momma thinks we’re dating?” He piles his plate high with fruit and bacon as I pour him a large mug of coffee fresh from the pot. I’ve served him enough coffee to know how he takes it, he’s just not usually here as my soon-to-be fake boyfriend.

“Well, you know Ethan is getting married in a few weeks right?”

“Oh, shit!” He pulls out his phone, and starts to frantically scroll. “I forgot to RSVP to that and ask for the time off.”

“Well, what would you say if I said you could go as my plus one?” I smile at him, trying to get him to see the silver lining.

He drops his phone back in his pocket after pausing to think about what I’ve said.

“I’d appreciate it, but I don’t know if I can get the time off. Wait, is this why our moms think we’re dating? Because you said I was coming to the wedding with you?”

“Not quite. You see, Mom was saying that her neighbor’s son was in town and that she’s sure he’d stay longer to escort me to Ethan’s wedding.”

“Oh jeez, another set up? Didn’t she learn her lesson?” he asks jokingly, but I know damn well he loves that story. It doubles him over laughing every time it’s brought up.

“One would think, but no. Instead of telling her ‘no,’ I stupidly blurted out that I was seeing someone, and well, she of course asked who and your name was the first one that came to mind. So I blurted that out too.” I wring my hands in my lap, my appetite not there as my pancakes sit untouched.

He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me, continuing to eat.

“So, I guess all this leads to me asking if you’ll come to Ethan’s wedding with me as my fake boyfriend?”