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CHAPTER TWELVE

HARLOW

W hen we walked through the door of Gilda’s, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. It was small, but exactly as I remembered it. There were only ten tables in the restaurant, so we sat at the bar and had a drink while waiting for a spot to open up.

I didn’t usually drink alcohol in the afternoon, but today wasn’t a typical day. Brooks and I were going to pick out rings.

I stole a glance at him from the corner of my eye. He sat beside me, one arm draped along the back of my chair.

We probably looked like a normal couple enjoying a drink together, unlike two people who could barely stand to be in the same room together.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked, giving him one last chance to bail out of the plan.

After having dinner with his family, I was second-guessing everything. I liked the Dawsons, and I hated lying to them.

He took a sip of his drink. “We need to make it official. Show everyone in town you’re still madly in love with me.”

I rolled my eyes. “We’ve already told enough lies, let’s not add any more.”

“Oh, come on. It’s kind of romantic, don’t you think?” he teased.

“Yeah, sure. Nothing says romantic like a fake engagement and a flooded house.”

I was sipping my chardonnay when Shannon, who owned one of the shops in town, came over to say hello to Brooks. She did a double take when she looked at me. Her eyes lit up in recognition.

“Well, I’ll be dammed. Harlow Bennet, is that really you?”

I turned in my seat to face her. “Yes, ma’am.”

Shannon Anthony was an ex-beauty queen. She had to be in her late fifties now, but the woman was always dressed in beautiful pastel colors and wore pretty jewelry.

“I can’t believe my eyes.” She glanced between us. “I never thought I would see you two lovebirds back together again.”

Brooks flashed her a charming grin. “What can I say, Shannon? God blessed us with a second chance. Harlow was always the one who got away. I told myself if I ever got another shot, I wouldn’t let her slip through my fingers again.”

I almost choked on my drink.

She patted his hand. “I remember telling your mama that you two would get married someday. I just knew you needed a little bit of time to get there.”

She smiled and looked me up and down. “You are just as pretty as you were last time I saw you.”

A blush crept up my neck. “Thank you, Shannon. You look great, too.”

She waved me off. “It’s the Botox. I refuse to accept my age.”

Brooks placed his foot on the edge of my stool’s footrest. “You don’t need all that crap. You have natural beauty.”

She clutched her pearls, literally. “You always were a charmer, even though you lay it on thick sometimes.”

Brooks grinned. “And you love it.”

She shook her head. “I swear I’m going to cry. I just want to tell you how happy I am. You made this old lady’s week.”

Brooks grabbed my hand. “I’m thankful she smartened up and came to her senses.”

I squeezed his fingers a little too tightly. “And I’m so glad I finally gave in after he spent years trying to win me back.”

Brooks scowled, and Shannon swooned. “I truly enjoy it when love gives you a second chance in life. My Thomas and I broke up a few times before we got married. Sometimes men need to grow up and let puberty catch up to them before they can think clearly.”

Brooks smiled. “That’s why I’m not waiting another second to make this beautiful woman my wife.”

Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh, my stars. You two are getting married?”

Brooks wrapped his arm around the back of my chair. “We sure are. We figured it was long overdue.”

She let out a delighted sigh. “Well, isn’t that something? You both look so happy. It just makes my heart sing.”

Shannon was practically bouncing with excitement.

I suppose for a small town, this was a love story for the ages.

“Oh, this is wonderful news. When’s the wedding?

Have you picked out a venue? I can talk to Father Austine.

I’m sure he would be more than happy to perform the ceremony.

And the ladies at the church love to put on a good potluck.

You could even have the reception in the rectory basement. ”

Jesus, take the wheel.

Brooks scratched the side of his head. “We haven’t nailed down a date yet. This is all new. We are going shopping for rings after lunch.”

She patted his leg. “You always were a good boy.” And then she turned to me. “And Harlow, you let me know when you decide on a date. I’d be more than happy to help you plan the wedding.”

I forgot how overly friendly people in this town could be. There was a good chance that everyone who lived within a five-mile radius would know by dinner time.

“Thank you, Shannon. I’ll keep you posted, but we are trying to keep things simple.”

She winked at me. “You let me know if you need anything, dear. I have a lot of time on my hands, and I love a good old-fashioned wedding.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

She clapped her hands together. “I won’t keep you two, but you can bet I’ll be telling everyone the good news.”

I groaned internally because I had no doubt she was heading off to spread the news as fast as humanly possible.

“You two take care now.” She smiled at us one last time before sauntering away.

As soon as she was gone, I smacked him on the arm. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

He shrugged, seeming completely unbothered. “You want this to be believable, right? Isn’t that the whole point?”

I drained the rest of my drink. “Yes, but you just told her we’re engaged. The whole town is going to know before we even have a chance to come up with a solid plan. You might as well put a billboard sign up.”

He leaned in with a grin. “At least you don’t have to pick out a wedding venue or worry about food. I’ve heard Shannon won the chili cook-off last year. I’m sure I could convince my mom to make her famous cornbread.”

“I hate you.”

“Relax.” His voice dropped to that annoying, smooth tone that always seemed to get him whatever he wanted. It was the same tone he used to charm his way into my heart. “Maybe this little charade will be easier than we thought.”

I looked down at my left finger. I couldn’t believe it had been a little over a week since I ran from the church. I was supposed to be in Barcelona, sipping on sangria. Instead, I was having lunch and shopping for an engagement ring with my ex. Talk about whiplash.

“Why did I ever think this would be a good idea?”

He stood from the stool when the server called us over. “Because you were desperate.”

He wasn’t wrong. I was desperate. So, when he threw me a lifeline, I took it. Time will tell if it was a smart idea or if I was a complete idiot for even going along with this.

After lunch, we wandered down the main drive. Brooks’ hands were shoved in his pockets, and his strides were long and determined. He hesitated for a moment when the jewelry store came into view. “Are you ready to do this?”

I shook my head with a laugh. “Not really, but I guess I’m doing this anyway.”

He stopped walking and stared down at me. “You act like being married to me is a bad thing. I’m quite the catch, so try to act a little more excited.”

I scoffed. “Oh, that’s right. How can I forget? I’ll try to remember how lucky I am.”

“Glad to see you’re finally catching on.” He winked as we reached the store.

The reality of what we were about to do caught up to me. Pretending to be in love with him would be easy—too easy. That’s what made this so risky.

He slid his hand into mine. “Show time. Try to be convincing.”

I swallowed, hating how holding hands with him felt like second nature. “I’ll do my best.”

“Just don’t crinkle your nose. That’s your tell that you’re lying.”

I frowned. “I don’t have a tell.”

“You do,” he said, tapping me on the nose. “Now let’s go get you a ring.”

The bell over the door chimed as we walked in. An older woman in a black pantsuit looked up from the counter.

“Hello, there. I’m Maggie. Are you looking for anything special today?”

“We are shopping for an engagement ring.”

The woman’s smile widened. “Congratulations. Do you have anything specific in mind?”

Brooks swung his arm along my shoulder and pulled me to his side. “Something that screams she’s taken.” He winked, and I wanted to punch him in the stomach. “It took me six years to wear her down, so I want everyone to know she finally said yes.”

The saleswoman swooned and pressed a hand to her heart. I had to admit, he was very convincing. For a minute, I had to remind myself that it was only for show.

She led us over to a case with sparkling rings.

We looked through the glass. There were so many shapes and colors that I didn’t even know where to begin.

“See anything that catches your eye?” she asked.

Brooks didn’t have the kind of money that Baz had. I didn’t want to break his bank account on something that would be temporary,

I leaned closer, trying not to get swept away in the moment. “I don’t need anything elaborate or over the top, a simple diamond will do.”

His jaw ticked. “Let’s see that one.” He pointed to the simple, solitary diamond in a silver band. The jeweler pulled the tray out and handed Brooks the ring.

“Try it on,” he encouraged. Something about seeing him holding the diamond ring made my stomach flutter.

I slid it onto my trembling finger and stared at it. It was simple and elegant, and it fit perfectly.

“It’s shiny,” his tone was gentle as my thumb grazed over the band.

I nodded while swallowing the lump in my throat. I couldn’t let myself get caught up in the moment. Couldn’t let myself wish that things could be different. I always wondered what it would be like to wear his ring, and let’s say this wasn’t what I had pictured.

My vision blurred as I stared at something that was supposed to mean everything but meant absolutely nothing. My chest felt tight, and I wondered if my heart could survive this.

I glanced up at him, wondering if he knew how much this moment hurt me.