Page 68 of That Fake Feeling

“It’snot really like that,AuntJen.”Atleast that’s not a lie. “It’sreally not how it seems.”Again, completely true.

“Atleast tell me about him,” she says, before taking a sip of tea.

Typical—she’s never been one to bear a grudge, always warm-hearted and concerned only for my welfare.

“Well, he owns a big company that makes learning toys.”

AsItalk,Maisieappears at one side of the screen, strolls across the keyboard, but freezes part way.Iwait forAuntJento move her again, but then realize it’s just the joy of her unreliable rural internet.Aftera couple of seconds, the connection returns and the tip ofMaisie’stail is magically disappearing off the other side.

AuntJenmakes a rolling action with her hand to encourage me to get on with it. “Yes,Ican read the article and do internet searches.Imean what’s hereallylike?Whatmade you fall for him so suddenly?”

Itry to think of something good about him.

“Well, he loves his family.Hehas two brothers and a couple of cousins he’s really close to.Andthey all dote on his parents.Ijust got back from spending the night with most of them at the houseConnorand his brothers bought for them.It’sbeautiful.Everyonewas really nice to me and so welcoming.”

“So, he loves his family, takes care of them, and has a big heart as well as a big bank balance?”

“Iguess he does, yes.”

“Andis he taking good care of you?”

Igaze around the room. “Yeah, he is.”Myeyes drift over the pictures that cover the walls. “Oh, and he likes art.Hiswhole house is covered in all sorts of paintings and drawings and prints.You’dlike it—they’re all different, and nothing matches.”

AuntJendisappears behind the tortoiseshell body again for a second.

Whenthe cat’s gone, she leans toward the camera. “Oh,Rose.”Thedisappointment in her eyes is like a knife to my heart. “Whydidn’t you tell me about him?Hesounds lovely.Andinteresting.”

Hedoes, doesn’t he?

Anyway, no matter how much it pains me,Ihave to plow on.

“Iknow it won’t last long, soIdidn’t think there was any point bothering you with it.”Boththose things are definitely true.

“Aw, sweetheart, you never know how things are going to pan out.Youcan’t be so sure.”

Oh, yes,Ican.

“Ipromise you,AuntJen,promise you, this is just temporary.”Idismiss it with a wave of my hand. “Atotally meaningless summer thing.Andit’ll be over not long afterI’mback at school.”

Allof that, also true.

“Well, that makes me sad.”Shesticks out her bottom lip. “Youboth look so happy in the pictures.”

“Thatwas all just some publicity thing for his company.Youdon’t want to believe everything you see in photos or read in magazines at the coffee shop.”

I’mdoing my best not to lie to her.Andwhile it might skirt the edges of the nondisclosure agreement,Idoubt anyone could convict me for that.

“Thehouse with your summer job, that’s his house, is it?”Shesits back and takes another sip of tea. “Soit wasn’treallyaccommodation for a job?”

Shit.Okay.Thisis a tricky one.

“I’mso sorryItold you something not strictly true.”

Exceptit is extremely true.AndI’mlying by saying it was a lie.Thisis very confusing.GoodGod.Howdo dishonest people keep up with their stories?I’vebeen trying for only five minutes andI’malready stressed and tangled up in my own web.

“Um, well, likeIsaid.”Ifumble for a way out. “Ijust didn’t want to get your hopes up thatIwas in an amazing new relationship whenI’msure it’ll be over in ten minutes.Anyway.”Iwaggle my finger at the screen. “Youhate rich people, soIdidn’t think you’d approve.”

“Ha.”Shethrows her head back. “Ifyou like him,Rosie, he must be a good guy.Iknow you don’t give it up for just anyone.”