Page 34 of The Masks We Burn
“Oh.” Remy’s smile falls, her eyebrows drawing together as though she expected a different answer entirely.
“I’m really just a scapegoat, but for what, I’m not sure. We didn’t go into the details on why we needed each other, and I like it that way.”
“So you don’t need to go to anything with her?”
I shrug, cleaning up the counter and tossing the bundles of paper away. “No. She mentioned I may have to have brunch with her parents or come to one of her father’s events as her date, but that hasn’t happened yet.”
Remy nods, seemingly lost in thought while I make another cup. “I know she’s a little rough around the edges—”
“That doesn’t bother me. I love when a woman is…” I stop myself, realizing I’ve said too much already. Remy is a romantic, and I’m sure she’s already concocted a whole fucking happy ever after from just that chopped up sentence.
Before she can respond, the back door near the kitchen opens and Blaze walks inside, his helmet in his grasp. He sees me first, nodding his head before noticing Remy. The man’s multicolored eyes light up and he closes the distance between them in seconds, scooping her up in a fucking spin kiss.
I mix in my cream and decide to watch someTales from the Crypt. Maybe it will keep my mind busy and off the ridiculous amount of monogamous couples around me.
“Ready?” Blaze asks, cupping Remy’s small face in his hands.
She nods, smiling when he bops her on the nose. It reminds me of all the times my father does the same thing to my mother. They’re so infatuated with each other, so in love, that they’re content with the possible plateau…
“Have a good night, Will.” Remy waves as Blaze nods. Then they’re out the door, leaving me alone to consider both Rem’s words and my idle thoughts.
Only now, they’re consumed with pink hair and sky-blue eyes.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Twirling the pink ends of my hair, I stare at the paused fight on my TV. I would give just about anything to just freaking push play and resume my night of eating fresh out of the oven blueberry muffins. Hell, maybe even continuing my search for a job, but alas, my mom won’t stop talking.
She’s been going on for the last five minutes about a woman I couldn’t care less about, and how she skipped out on a wealthy man and instead married for love. Now she’s had to pick up a part-time job in order to help pay for her kids’ extracurriculars after school.
At least the woman did something to help provide for her family, give her children the opportunity to start sports at such a young age. And don’t get me started on marrying for love. I mean, heaven forbid people actually do that.
I’m no Colin Cowie by any means, and I damn sure don’t ever plan on doing it myself, but I’m pretty sure that’s how marriage is supposed to work. But instead of saying any of that, and offending the mother who let us starve rather than getting a job since “it’s the man’s duty to provide”, I keep my mouth closed. Occasionally, I give a quickhmm, oruh-uhin hopes it’s enough to appease her and she’ll put me out of my misery.
But instead, she takes it as an invitation to keep talking, making me clench my phone harder. “Oh, and speaking of which, I booked us a brunch at Zaretes next month to meet your fiancé.”
Anxiety wastes no time wrapping around my throat, making breathing harder. My heart picks up pace and even my hands start to sweat a little. I shouldn’t be surprised or anxious since I expected it, and even prepped William for it, but knowing it’s happening is a different story. If we don’t do a good enough job of faking the funk, she’ll know, and I’ll be right back to square one.
I swallow thickly and mask the nerves in my voice the best I can. “Oh yeah? When, so I can let him know?”
“February tenth at one thirty. I didn’t want to disturb any of your Valentine’s Day plans you may have.”
“How thoughtful,” I mutter, sending a quick text to William. It’s the first time I’ve communicated with him since his fight and already my leg bounces at my side when I see his typing bubbles pop up.
The Best Man: Alright, I have it in my new planner. Also, when do you wanna meet to go over the party deets?
Less than a second later, another message comes through.
The Best Man: Oh, damn. That rhymed. I wasn’t tryin’ to, so don’t say no slick shit.
I laugh out loud and immediately cover my mouth. Ihadalmost been on the verge of an insult.
“What’s funny, Amora?” My mother snaps me from my happy little bubble, and I decide to kill two birds with one stone.
“Oh, nothing. Will is excited, and he’s actually coming over to help with some planning we need to get done for Lily’s wedding.”
I send the text telling him I’m free now since Remy’s on a date and I’m pretty bored.
“Alright, honey, well, enjoy your night. Tell him your mother says hello.”
