Page 33 of Let’s Be Real

“Yes. It’s not as complicated as everyone thinks. The idea of kissing Adrian makes me want to gag.”

Clarice laughed as she brought her drink to her mouth. “Well, that sounds definitive. You still didn’t tell me how you and Nate became an item.”

Nate and I hadn’t worked out that story, so I turned to him and grinned. “You tell it best, honey.”

He peered at me, a line between his brows and a frown tugging at his mouth. I was seconds away from letting him off the hook when his expression neutralized, and he lifted his gaze to meet Clarice’s.

“I’ve always thought Samantha was beautiful. I mean, look at her.”

She nodded. “You’d have to be blind to miss it.”

“I’m definitely not blind.” His mouth quirked. “It came on suddenly. Adrian got sick, and Samantha and I took care of him together. The more time I spent with her, the less I liked seeing her leave. She makes things bright by being present. That was when I realized I felt something more for her. The timing worked out too. We were both single for once, so I didn’t miss my chance to shoot my shot. Lucky me, she said yes.”

Clarice let out a sweet sigh, clutching her chest.

Same, sister. Same.

If that were real, I would have been swooning.

Even knowing it was a work of fiction didn’t stop my cheeks from heating as my heart went pitter-patter.

I looked at Nate.

He smiled at me, and I smiled back.

“That was sweet.”

He brushed my hair behind my ear. “Just telling the truth.” Then he leaned forward and whispered, “Mostly.”

Oh hell, I wanted to kiss him.

If we hadn’t been at my sister’s rehearsal dinner, I would have.

The tapping of a glass drew our attention to the front of the room. Nate’s arm dropped around my shoulders, drawing me close as my father stood with a glass of champagne.

He started his toast, droning on about what it meant to be giving his youngest daughter away. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought him the most doting dad. The reality was he wasn’t close with any of his children. I doubted he knew any of the details of Kelly’s life. Still, he managed to get choked up as he turned to Kelly and Josh, his glass raised high.

“To my precious Kelly. You’re the culmination of all my dreams for a daughter. I couldn’t ask for anything different or more. Josh is a lucky man to have you in his life, and I know he’ll take care of you…or else.”

Everyone chuckled at his faux threat. Everyone except me and Nate. My heart had lodged too deeply in my throat to push out sound. Nate held me close, stroking my arm while holding my opposite hand in his. His thumb roved over spots he’d discovered had a direct connection to the serotonin lever in my brain.

After a minute or two, once my dad had taken his seat and Josh’s dad had started speaking, I began to relax. My heart slid into its rightful place, and air burst from my lungs in the form of a heavy sigh.

“Samantha—”

I shook my head. “Don’t say anything.”

He rested his forehead on the side of my head, warm breath fanning against my neck. “We don’t have to stay.”

“I’m not going to make a scene, Nate.”

He huffed. “I feel like I want to. Your dad is a real asshole.”

“Yeah, he is.” I dropped my hand to his shaking thigh to still it. “It’s a good thing you’re here and not Adrian.”

He lifted his head but stayed close. “Why’s that?”

“He’d make a scene.”