Page 9 of Stopping Short

Are we engaged? Technically, yes.

Do I plan on us staying engaged? No.

I think back to the night of my surprise party last week. I wasn’t expecting what happened. I was completely blindsided and I didn’t know how to respond.

“You want me to what?” I stare at Jennifer like she’s completely crazy. She has to be. There’s no way she’d suggest this idea if she was sane.

“If he proposes, say yes. Then, right after we’re finished with finals and everything, tell him you’re having second thoughts and you think you should break up.” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug.

“That’s awful! I can’t do that!”

“I mean it’s not ideal, but what else are you supposed to do? He invited his entire family here, Harper. If you say no, it will be the most awkward party ever. His family will make a big deal and your friends won't really know how to react. The awful thing is him springing a proposal on you when you’ve never even said ‘I love you’ to him. You’ve never made him think you wanted anything beyond dating. Honestly, you guys break up every time we’re not at school. I don’t even know why you’re dating.”

“Maybe it isn’t a proposal?” I wince, really hoping it’s not.

The last thing I want to do is tell him no in front of an entire room full of our friends and his family, but if I say yes, I won't mean it. We will break up because I'm not getting married. Not to Evan.

Jennifer’s right, we’re only dating because it’s convenient. I don’t think either one of us really cares deeply about the other. We’re friends… who kiss. Nothing more.

“Do you really believe his grandma is showing up to celebrate your birthday?” She looks at me like I'm being ridiculous.

“Maybe I can just pretend I'm sick?”

“You could try, but I think he’ll still propose before he lets you leave.”

“Why is this happening?” I groan, covering my face with my hands.

My mind is spinning with options, but I keep coming up empty. I don’t know what to do. I have no ideas.

A few minutes later, there’s a knock on the bathroom door. Jennifer and I freeze and stare at the entrance with wide eyes.

‘Who is it?’ she mouths at me.

I shrug my shoulders. I don’t know how she expects me to know who could be knocking on the door. I’ve been in here just as long as she has.

“Harper? Is everything ok?” Evan’s voice floats through the closed door and I wince.

I want to scream how nothing is ok and I want to go home and pretend this night never happened. Oh, and that I don’t want to date him anymore.

“Fine!” I call back, hating myself instantly.

“Are you… Are you coming out any time soon?” He almost sounds nervous, which only makes me freak out even more.

“Give me a minute. Jennifer isn’t feeling well!”

Jennifer swats at me with wide eyes. I silently shush her with a finger over my lips. I can’t deal with this right now. I just want to go home.

“Are you ok, sweetheart?” Evan meets my gaze and his brows furrow, bringing me back to the present. Thoughts of the night he proposed fade as the bar comes back into focus.

Evan’s attention keeps flickering over to Jackson and then towards the bathrooms. I swear he’s only at my side because he’s trying to stake his claim on me.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” I wave off his concern and take another sip of my drink.

“Are you sure? You were just kind of staring off into space.”

“Yup. Just thinking.” I give him a tight smile, hoping he drops it.

There’s no way I can tell him I’m worried about Jackson. The way his face fell when Evan introduced himself as my fiancé. His jaw clenched and each word he uttered seemed painful for him.