But instead of getting the hell out of this mess, Clarke merely gave one of his trademark easy smiles.

“We’d love that. Thanks, Mom.” He glanced down at Audrey. “Wouldn’t we, Dree?”

What. The. Hell?

Wearing a pretend engagement ring for a week was one thing. Having an engagement party was an entirely different ball game.

But friends didn’t let friends get trolled by smarmy Instagram jerks, and friends didn’t leave friends to face manipulative mothers and scheming exes alone.

She looked up and found him studying her, his gaze thoughtful and a little pleading.

Audrey withheld a sigh. She would do just about anything for him. And he knew it.

She turned toward Clarke’s mom with her warmest smile. “Absolutely. What date are you thinking?”

Chapter Four

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18

Big decisions for the big night! Louboutins or killer Stuart Weitzman boots? Help! Comment below with your vote! ♥

—@TheAudreyTate

The ankle-wrap Louboutin stilettos had won the vote, but Audrey still tilted her head back and forth in indecision.

The Loubs were darling and more bridal, definitely. But the thigh-high dove-gray Weitzmans, or Stuies, as she called them, were more practical given the forecast’s call for a “wintry mix” tonight.

She made a mental note that when she got engaged for real someday, she’d time it so that her engagement party didn’t fall in the middle of winter. Then, remembering just as quickly her resolution that marriage wasn’t in the cards for her, she reached for the Louboutins.

If she only got to do this once, she was doing it right.

Her feet would be cold, but cute.

Pulling them on, she grabbed the white satin clutch she’d splurged on for the occasion. It perfectly matched the strapless white cocktail dress she’d also splurged on. After all, if one was “getting married” for show, why not put on one hell of a show?

Audrey retrieved her cell phone from the charger and was just about to slide it into the clutch when it buzzed with an incoming call. She did a double take at the name on the screen, then swiftly answered. “Anderson?”

“Little sister. You sound surprised.”

“Only because you’re the king of butt dials.”

“One of my students showed me how to lock my phone when it’s in my pocket.”

“I’m so proud,” she said with a fond smile as she went to her jewelry box. A necklace would ruin the neckline of the dress, but a simple bracelet would be perfect. “So what’s new?”

“Well, let’s see,” he mused. “I got my hair cut. My favorite cereal brand changed the box, and I don’t like it. Oh, and my youngest sister got engaged.”

Audrey froze in the process of holding up a rose-gold bangle she’d gotten from Naomi. She didn’t bother to hide the horror from her voice. “Oh, Anderson. It’s not what you think.”