After a dozen or so pictures, everyone disperses, and I glance up at Penn. When he nods, I know exactly what he’s thinking. It’s time to make our announcement. My heart starts pounding again as something tight and uneasy coils low in my stomach.
Guilt.
Damn. This is my family. I don’t want to deceive them. Not about something as big as this. Maybe we shouldn’t have pushed this to an engagement. The word only slipped out yesterday because Penn was trying to put Dylan in his place…for me.
The doorbell rings.
Speaking of Dylan.
Penn’s eyes narrowing slightly as he reads my expression. “You okay, Lynny?”
“Not funny.” My voice is quiet, almost lost in the buzz of Dylan and Sloane’s arrival.
Penn slides his arms around me again, pulling me into his warmth, and I shiver just enough for him to notice. I blink rapidly, my mind racing, my lips twisting.
“Hey,” he murmurs quietly. “What’s going on?”
“I just… I feel bad,” I admit, tilting my face up to his. “Maybe we shouldn’t say we’re engaged. Just boyfriend and girlfriend. It’ll make it easier when?—”
The rest of my sentence is swallowed by a booming voice.
“Happy holidays!”
Every head turns as Dylan steps inside, brushing snow from his coat as Sloane trails in behind him. The smirk he sends me is all teeth and challenge, his gaze lingering far too long before he waves his finger between Penn and me and speaks again.
“Tell me I didn’t miss the big announcement?”
Penn’s arm tightens around my waist, his stance shifting, not just in defense, but in possession.
“Announcement?” Mom asks.
And just like that, any plans of backing out are ruined.
10
Penn
What the ever-loving fuck am I supposed to do now?
Jay just tried to abort our whole fake fiancé plan mid-mission, but there’s Dylan—smug grin, standing there in the foyer like he’s front-row for my humiliation. He’s waiting for us to admit something ugly, something he can chew on later.
Yeah, no. Not happening.
“Now that we’re all here…” I loop an arm around Jaylynn, dragging her closer in a way that’s only partially for show. I drop a smile down at her, and catch the uneasy wobble in her lips before she covers it with a quick inhale. I give her a squeeze, a silent I’ve got you. “Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet,” I joke with a laugh.
“My feet are cold because it’s freezing outside.” Quick, clever, and exactly why she’s dangerous in this game. She tilts toward me. “But not about us.”
“Good.” I dip my head and kiss her, slow enough for the room to go quiet, long enough for Dylan’s smirk to falter. When I lift my head, she’s looking at me like I’ve just promised her the moon.
“How about in there?” I nod toward the living room.
“Perfect,” she breathes, and I guide her in. The Christmas tree dominates the corner, tall and decked with homemade ornaments and twinkling lights. I’ve never regretted not having a tree growing up, but this one…this one tugs at something buried deep. Excitement, maybe. Longing. Happiness.
Belonging?
Nope. Not for me. This is still pretend.
“Jaylynn and I have an announcement.” My voice cuts through the hum of conversation. Her mother gasps, covering her mouth like she’s reading my mind, and maybe she is. For half a second, my gut tightens with the old instinct that she’s going to shut me down. That she’ll see I’m just a guy who punches for a living and tell me her daughter deserves more.