2.
1576 Words
Chapter 2
Lucy’s POV
The next morning, I wake up with a pounding headache. Last night feels like a bad dream. Kelvin, Christabel, the impulsive proposal to a complete stranger—it all feels like something out of a soap opera.
I groan, burying my face in my pillow. But when I reach into my coat pocket and feel the small, velvet ring box, reality hits me like a freight train.
“I actually did it,” I whisper to myself.
The memory of Glenn’s mischievous grin flashes in my mind. “You’re insane,” I’d told him. And maybe I’m insane too. Who proposes to a stranger on the street? Me, apparently.
I drag myself out of bed, determined to push the entire disaster to the back of my mind. Kelvin doesn’t deserve my tears or my time. I need to move forward.
But when I step out of my tiny apartment and head to the coffee shop down the street, I realize moving forward might be harder than I thought.
The place is packed with Valentine’s Day leftovers—couples holding hands over half-empty coffee cups, red heart decorations still dangling from the ceiling, and a cheery love song playing on the speakers. My stomach churns.
“One medium latte, please,” I say to the barista, handing over my card.
“Rough day?” she asks, glancing at my tired face.
“You have no idea,” I mutter, taking my coffee and heading to a corner table.
As I sip my latte, my phone buzzes on the table. It’s a text from Maggie, my best friend.
Maggie: Hey, are we still on for lunch today? I need details about your Valentine’s Day!
I groan. Maggie’s been excited for weeks, convinced that Kelvin would finally propose. The idea of telling her the truth—that I found him making out with Christabel—makes my stomach churn.
Another text comes through.
Maggie: Wait. Are you okay? You didn’t answer last night. Call me ASAP.
Before I can reply, a familiar voice cuts through the chatter of the coffee shop.
“Well, if it isn’t my fiancée.”
I nearly choke on my coffee. Turning slowly, I see Glenn standing by my table, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He’s dressed casually in a black hoodie and jeans, but he still has that effortless confidence about him.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter, setting down my coffee. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting coffee, same as you,” he says, sliding into the chair across from me. “Small world, huh?”
“Too small,” I grumble.
He grins, leaning back in his chair. “So, how’s the fiancée life treating you?”
“Funny,” I say dryly. “We’re not engaged, remember?”
“Tell that to your ex-boyfriend,” he replies. “That guy looked ready to explode yesterday.”
I sigh, rubbing my temples. “That wasn’t the plan. I was just trying to…”
“Make him jealous?” Glenn finishes for me.
“Maybe,” I admit reluctantly. “But now I just want to forget the whole thing happened.”
Glenn raises an eyebrow. “Too late for that. You can’t just drop a bomb like ‘I’m engaged’ and expect it to disappear.”
“Why do you care?” I snap.
“Because,” he says, leaning forward, “your ex-boyfriend happens to work for me.”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“Kelvin Harper,” Glenn says, his tone amused. “He’s on my team. Didn’t you know?”
Of course, I didn’t know. Kelvin always kept his professional life separate from our relationship. But now, the pieces are falling into place. No wonder Kelvin looked so horrified yesterday.
“This just keeps getting better,” I mutter.
Glenn chuckles. “Look, I don’t mind playing along for a little while. Watching that guy squirm is pretty entertaining.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I accuse.
“Maybe a little,” he admits, his green eyes sparkling.
I shake my head, half-exasperated and half-amused. Glenn Carter is the last thing I need right now, but something about him makes it hard to stay angry.
“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms. “But this isn’t a game. I just want Kelvin to leave me alone.”
“Deal,” Glenn says, extending a hand.
I stare at him suspiciously. “Why are you being so helpful?”
“Let’s just say I don’t like guys who cheat,” he replies, his voice unexpectedly serious. “And I’ve got nothing better to do right now.”
Against my better judgment, I shake his hand.
Later that afternoon, I meet Maggie for lunch at our favorite diner. She’s already waiting at a booth when I arrive, her auburn curls bouncing as she waves me over.
“There you are!” she says, pulling me into a hug. “Okay, spill. How did it go? Did Kelvin finally pop the question?”
I force a smile, sliding into the booth. “Not exactly.”
Her face falls. “Oh no. What happened?”
I hesitate, debating how much to tell her. Maggie’s my best friend, but even she might think I’ve lost my mind if I explain the whole truth.
“I broke up with him,” I say finally.
Her eyes widen. “What? Why?”
I take a deep breath and tell her everything—walking in on Kelvin and Christabel, the impulsive proposal to Glenn, and the awkward encounter at the coffee shop this morning.
By the time I finish, Maggie is staring at me with her mouth open.
“You proposed to a stranger?” she says, her voice rising.
“Keep it down!” I hiss, glancing around the diner.
“Sorry,” she whispers, leaning closer. “But Lucy, that’s… wow. Even for you, that’s bold.”
“I know,” I admit, burying my face in my hands. “It was a stupid, impulsive mistake.”
“And now you’re fake-engaged to Kelvin’s boss?” she adds, her tone laced with disbelief.
“Pretty much.”
Maggie shakes her head, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. “You’re insane.”
“You’re not the first person to say that,” I mutter.
She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Look, I’m glad you dumped Kelvin. He didn’t deserve you. But are you sure this Glenn guy is trustworthy?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But he’s been… surprisingly decent so far.”
“Just be careful,” she warns.
“I will,” I promise.
The next few days are a blur. Glenn and I don’t see each other again until Friday, when he calls me out of the blue.
“Hey, fiancée,” he says when I pick up. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” I ask, already dreading his answer.
“Kelvin,” he says simply. “He’s been asking questions. I think he’s suspicious.”
I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Great. What does he want now?”
“Who knows?” Glenn replies. “But if we’re going to keep this up, we need a plan.”
“A plan?”
“Yeah,” he says. “You know, to make this look convincing. Maybe go on a date or two. Take some pictures. Act like a real couple.”
The thought of pretending to be Glenn’s girlfriend makes my stomach twist. But if it keeps Kelvin off my back, it might be worth it.
“Fine,” I say reluctantly. “What did you have in mind?”
“Meet me at Central Park tomorrow,” he says. “And wear something nice.”
“Wait—”
But he’s already hung up.
I stare at my phone, wondering what I’ve gotten myself into.
The next day, I arrive at Central Park wearing a simple red dress and black boots. Glenn is waiting by the fountain, looking effortlessly handsome in a navy sweater and dark jeans.
“Wow,” he says when he sees me. “You clean up nice.”
“Don’t push your luck,” I reply, crossing my arms.
He grins, holding out his hand. “Ready to sell the illusion?”
I hesitate for a moment before taking his hand. “Let’s get this over with.”
As we stroll through the park, Glenn pulls out his phone and snaps a few pictures of us together.
“Smile,” he says, nudging me.
I manage a small smile, though it feels forced.
“Relax,” he says, his tone teasing. “You’re supposed to be madly in love with me, remember?”
“Don’t remind me,” I mutter.
But as the afternoon goes on, I find myself relaxing in his company. Glenn is surprisingly easy to talk to, and his dry sense of humor keeps me laughing despite myself.
By the time we leave the park, I almost forget that this is all an act.
“Not bad,” Glenn says as we part ways. “We might actually pull this off.”
“Don’t get used to it,” I reply, but there’s no bite in my tone.
- Writer
