The bathroom is as beautiful as the rest of the hotel ballroom. The floors are marble. The mirrors are ornate. Modern art lines the walls.

I turn the shiny fixture to cold and splash my neck.

It helps.

A stall door opens behind me. Footsteps move closer.

I focus on applying another coat of lipstick. That berry color. The one that makes me feel like a sex goddess.

Fiona steps up to the mirror. She stares at the sink as she washes her hands. Her eyes are red. Puffy.

She's been crying.

She looks to me as she grabs a paper towel. "I'm surprised Blake let you off his leash."

I force myself to smile. That might be a threat or it might be sincere curiosity. Either way, I'm selling myself as madly in love. "He can't exactly join me here."

"Hmm."

"He is protective."

"Try having him as an older brother."

"I can imagine."

"Every guy at our school was afraid to date me. They thought Blake would kick their asses."

"Would he?"

"What do you think?"

"Excuse me?"

"He's your boyfriend. You don't know how he reacts to jealousy?"

"That was a long time ago."

"Mhmm." She brushes her dark hair behind her ear. "No. Blake isn't violent. Well… not usually."

I swallow the question that rises in my throat. There's something she isn't saying. Something I'm not supposed to know.

She gives me another once-over. "I have to say. I didn't expect him with someone like you."

"Like me how?"

She pulls her lipstick from her clutch. "Blake is married to his job. He's worse than my husband. I always imagined him with someone who was the same."

"I love my work too."

"Waiting tables?"

"I'm an artist. I have a lot to learn. It keeps me busy."

She nods, accepting my story. Or maybe that's an okay, whatever you tell yourself nod. I'm not sure.

"Blake makes time for me." That's true. Sort of. "He wants to change things. He knows he won't be happy unless he does."

"I hope you're right. But you know what they say about men and change?"

"No. I don't."

"That's it. They don't."

Deep breath. This is a test and I need to pass. "I guess time will tell."

Fiona bites her lip. "Or does it not matter to you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're a waitress. He's loaded. It doesn't take a genius to figure out he's got meal ticket written on his forehead."

"It isn't like that. I love Blake." God, this is a terrible confession of passion. I force a smile. I think of the things that make my heart race. The accident. The skyline against the sunset. The spring's first flowers. "He… he's not like anyone I've ever met. He makes me feel safe. He makes my knees weak. He's…"

She snaps her purse shut. "I hope you are telling the truth. For your sake. Because if you're not… you're going to regret using him. I'll make sure of it."

"I appreciate that you're looking out for him." Really, it's sweet. Even if it's at my expense. "I hope you enjoy your night." I drop my lipstick in my purse and I saunter out of the bathroom.

Conversation whirls around me. It's loud.

Everyone is looking at me the same way Fiona was.

What's he doing with her?

And what's she doing with him?

Someone that young—she's looking for a meal ticket? Just look at her dress.

You think she's a hooker?

Okay, I'm imagining things. I think.

It's funny. I never thought people would be looking at me thinking I was too pretty to be with someone.

It's almost nice.

But Blake isn't after my looks.

He's after my—

No, he's not after anything.

This is all bullshit.

I find a waiter and grab another flute of champagne. The bubbles burst on my tongue. They lift me higher. They make the room effervescent.

Now where is my adoring boyfriend?

He's not in the corner where he was earlier. Neither is Meryl.

I wander around the party, looking for him. But I don't see him anywhere.

Oh. There's a quiet balcony up ahead. That's perfect.

Someone steps into my path. Declan, Blake's old friend.

"Hey, Kat. Blake is about to give his speech."

"I'm just going to get some air," I say.

He pats my shoulder. "Nonsense." He leans in close and whispers, "I have it on good authority that he mentions you in it."

Oh.

We're moving up the timeline.

That must mean…

I swallow hard. "Of course."

I follow him into the main room. Grab another glass of champagne and drink quickly.

This is too fast.

I'm not ready to be a fiancée.

Declan pats me on the back. He nods to a small stage. Blake is standing there. He's holding up his own glass of champagne like he's about to give a toast.

He scans the crowd. His eyes rest on mine. They fill up with love.

Like this is real.

His smile spreads over his cheeks.

That's how I know it's fake.

Blake doesn't smile.

I press my nail into my palm.

He doesn't love you.

He'll never love you.

This is all pretend.

"I know we're all very excited about the new Photos feature. I'd love to praise the dev team—you're all fantastic—but this is a party." He lifts his glass. "Let's skip to something interesting."

Everyone laughs. And lifts their glasses.

Blake finishes his in one long sip. It's not like him. Not like the Blake I know.

He wipes sweat from his brow.

That isn't like him either.

Blake doesn't get nervous.

His eyes meet mine. They fill up with something, something real.

The flutter in my stomach builds.

Lightness spreads through my fingers and toes.

I forget everything but those deep blue eyes of his.

"My priorities are different nowadays." He steps off the stage. "There's something, no, someone I love more than Sterling Tech."

The crowd parts until it's a straight shot between Blake and me. Good thing his mic is cordless, because I can't move a muscle.

He walks to me slowly.

He hands off his champagne glass.

The expression in his eyes is pure love.

I believe him.

I believe everything.

He takes my hand and strokes my fingers. "Kat, I love you more than I've ever loved anyone."

My stomach flutters.

This is pretend.

But my body can't grasp that.

My body is on fire. It's demanding him. Not just the heat of his touch, but the softness of his embrace.

"You make the happiest man alive." He drops to one knee.

I force my lips into a smile.

Blake pulls a ring box out of his pocket. "Will you marry me?"

It's a solitaire on a platinum band. Four carats, five maybe. Sleek, like everything else he owns.

The room goes quiet. Every ounce of attention is on us. I catch glances from his mother. Her mouth is hanging open, but there's no mistaking the joy on her face.

I go for a big smile. I throw my hands over my mouth like I can't believe my luck. "Of course."

His eyes stay glued to mine. He slides the engagement ring over my finger and rises to his feet.

Blake leans into a kiss. Our lips meet and fireworks explode inside my body. But it's fake. Everything but the ring is fake.

I'm engaged to Blake Sterling.

This is either the best decision I've ever made or the biggest mistake of my life.