Page 45 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
I scanned the busy bar. Norah and Tony were dancing while occasionally laughing and kissing. It was clear they were crazy about each other. I was very happy for her. I hoped to one day find that kind of love. Even after all these years, Tony still looked at her like she was the only woman in the room. The guy had a lot of faults, but his love for Norah was genuine. I supposed that was all that really mattered. The obnoxious, immature dude I saw most of the time was probably not who he was when they were alone together. Plus, it wasn’t like Norah was the epitome of maturity. She was still the free-spirited girl she’d been when we were kids. She flitted about without a care in the world. She worked if she wanted to and quit when she didn’t. I supposed I could admit I was a little jealous of her freedom. Her family managed their wealth just fine and there was plenty for Norah to live on for the rest of her days.
“Here,” Ryan said and put a drink in my hand.
“Thank you,” I said. I took a long drink and hoped it was a good, strong drink. I was going to need a pretty solid crutch to get through this night.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked.
I forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, you?”
He grimaced and looked around. “I would kill to be in the air right now.”
I laughed. “You and me both. Do not abandon me, please. I know I dragged you here, but please don’t ditch me.”
He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Not a chance.”
I believed him. He was the kind of guy that would stick to his word. He gently pulled me through the crowd outside. There were tiki torches burning around the perimeter of the bar property. My instinct was to get to the furthest corner. That was where I usually liked to hang out at things like this.
“You came!” Norah squealed and rushed toward me and Ryan. She gave me a hug and almost hugged Ryan when Tony appeared and practically pulled her back.
“This place is crazy,” I said.
“I know!” Norah was loving every minute of it. This was her scene. “Dance with me!”
I didn’t get a chance to say no. She jerked me forward and into the fray on the dance floor that was just sand. I still had my drink in my hand. Apparently, everyone did. The amount of splashing happening explained the smell I couldn’t quite pinpoint. It was the sweet scent of tropical drinks and liquor.
“Are you having fun?” I asked Norah.
Her hands were in the air as she spun around. “So much fun! You?”
I smiled and moved to the music. “This is great.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Liar! But thank you for trying to have fun.”
“It is fun,” I replied. The club wasn’t so fun, but the day had been pretty damn spectacular. I looked for Ryan and spotted him surrounded by several women. They weren’t from our class reunion. He was smiling and seemed to be doing okay. I didn’t need to rescue him.
“Where’d you guys go?” she shouted to be heard.
“Beach,” I answered. “In his plane!”
Her mouth dropped open. “No way!”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “It was amazing! I had so much fun.”
“You two look like you’re getting cozy,” she said.
I glanced over at him. All the years I knew him, he’d been Ryan Jones, Norah’s boyfriend. Looking at him now, I saw Ryan Jones, sexy, attractive, and smart man. A man I was suddenly interested in getting to know a little better.
“My turn!” Tony cut in and I was released from my dancing duties.
I wasn’t sure if I should go back to Ryan’s side. He seemed to be doing pretty well on his own. I didn’t want to crash his party. He was suddenly the main attraction. The women fawning over him were all very attractive. Those were the kind of women I imagined he would want to date.
Just as I was about to slink away to find a corner, he called out. “Claire! Babe!”
Was he actually talking to me? My name was Claire but was he really looking at me? He waved a hand and broke away from the ladies. I met him halfway. He pulled me against him and walked me back to the group of women. A few of our old classmates gathered around. Norah and Tony suddenly appeared as well. Everyone was looking at us. I was so not used to this kind of attention. I squirmed under the scrutiny. Ryan’s arm around my shoulder tightened. His hand squeezed my bare shoulder in a show of support.
“Everyone, can I have your attention please?” Ryan said loud and clear.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
He didn’t hear me or simply ignored me. “While a lot of us are here to celebrate Norah and Tony’s wedding, I wanted to brag a bit. Claire has agreed to marry me. This woman has come back into my life, and I feel like the luckiest man on the planet. I’m happy we get to share all this with you guys. But if you can’t find us, don’t come looking!”
Everyone started laughing. He kissed my cheek and smiled down at me. It felt right. I knew it was fake, but it felt real in the moment. This was what it was like to be a queen.
I could really get used to being his queen.
