More than Pretend

Caleb Congratulations," he said, the word edged with bitterness. "Looks like you won the bet."
Then he shifted his attention to Serena, almost eager now. "You should know-it was all a game. That's the only reason-"
"It can't be," Serena interrupted smoothly, her tone calm, unwavering.
The room seemed to quiet again, drawn in.
She turned slightly, just enough to glance back at Caleb-then back at the man, her expression composed, almost cool.
"Caleb is my boyfriend."
For the first time that night, Caleb was truly caught off guard.
Not visibly-no one else would have noticed-but for a brief second, his breath stopped. The word echoed in his mind, louder than anything else in the room.
Boyfriend.
He recovered quickly, though. He always did.
If anything, something in his posture shifted-subtle, but unmistakable.
He stepped in closer behind her, his presence suddenly more defined, more commanding. An arm wrapped around her with quiet certainty, pulling her back against him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
No one questioned it.
No one could.