If Yesterday was Real (Benson Sisters #1)

Chapter 11: Abiding by the "no hard feelings" rule

Chapter 11: Abiding by the "no hard feelings" rule

"What are you doing?" I whisper to Colter, heart pounding.

He looks a bit irritated that I have to ask. "Look — if you want to play girlfriend, now is the best time. Her family's here, and so is the rest of mine." The desperation in his voice shocks me. I say nothing but nod.

I guess it's a good thing that he's confident he wants nothing more than to call their arranged wedding off. Wait, why exactly is it a good thing? I have to remember that I don't exactly care for this guy, and everything's for show.

From the corner of my eye, I spot a familiar figure. I frown at Melissa, whose mouth is hanging wide open in shock. "She's a family friend? Seriously?" I look at Colter, disgust written on my face.

He laughs at my expression. I can't tell if he's faking it or not. Colter pulls me closer to him, his arm around my chair. Beside me, I hear Claire huff. "Was that a genuine laugh or not?" I raise both my eyebrows at him.

He gives me a lazy smile — the same smile he wore before he kissed me. "All for show, cheerleader." He whispers.

The words change something in me. I hear someone announce appetizers are coming out soon, and another voice says everyone should get back to their tables after clinking glasses. "No hard feelings, right?" I put on a devilish smirk, and the look on his face is incredulous. I know we're both recalling the first conversation we had in the cafeteria. "You said I could touch you, yeah?"

To my surprise, he smirks back. "No hard feelings."

Game on.

"Claire!" Mrs. Parkers' high pitched voice stuns me. Claire stands up and the two of them briefly embrace. Two adults join us at the table, and I instantly know they're Claire's parents due to the resemblance.

The reminder of what I could have had with my own parents hits me. I look down at my lap sadly, but all my negative emotions are put aside when Colter squeezes my hand in reassurance. "You're so beautiful," Mrs. Colters compliment Claire, "Colter, doesn't your future wife look beautiful?"

The nerve! I purse my lips, feeling more and more small. How disrespectful can this woman get? Mr. Parkers mutters something I can't fully hear, but I can see the approval in his expression.

Colter, still looking at me, grins. "I'm looking at her right now. Yeah, she is beautiful."

I blink, startled. This is a new side of Colter — possibly his romantic side, and it's quite refreshing to witness this version of him.

All for show, Margery. All for show. Colter's parents sit across from us, watching us carefully.

"Oh, Colter," I say his name with a dreamy substance to it. "I can't wait to marry you."

Someone chokes on their water. We turn to see Mrs. Vanderbilt, her husband lending her a napkin. Claire and Mrs. Parkers jump apart almost immediately. I don't dare make eye contact with either of them.

When they're all seated, I catch Colter smiling to himself, probably amused.

For some reason, an image of Colter and I playing husband and wife enters my mind. I try to shove it away automatically.

After the appetizers are served, Mr. Vanderbilt opens a new conversation. "It's nice to finally meet you, Margery Benson," he says my name with venom, but I don't let it get to me. Not when I'm looking THIS good. "We've heard a lot about Colter's... girlfriend."

"Yes, yes," Mr. Parkers nods, still looking at his now empty bowl of soup. "You know teenagers nowadays — boyfriends, girlfriends... gah. It's like some sort of sacred requirement."