Chapters (89)
- Dedication
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- ONE
- HENRY
- TWO
- EMMA
- THREE
- HENRY
- FOUR
- EMMA
- FIVE
- EMMA
- SIX
- SEVEN
- HENRY
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- HENRY
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- EMMA
- THIRTEEN
- HENRY
- FOURTEEN
- HENRY
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- EMMA
- SEVENTEEN
- HENRY
- EIGHTEEN
- HENRY
- NINETEEN
- HENRY
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- EMMA
- TWENTY-TWO
- EMMA
- TWENTY-THREE
- HENRY
- TWENTY-FOUR
- EMMA
- TWENTY-FIVE
- EMMA
- TWENTY-SIX
- EMMA
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- HENRY
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- EMMA
- TWENTY-NINE
- HENRY
- THIRTY
- HENRY
- THIRTY-ONE
- HENRY
- THIRTY-TWO
- EMMA
- THIRTY-THREE
- HENRY
- THIRTY-FOUR
- EMMA
- THIRTY-FIVE
- EMMA
- THIRTY-SIX
- HENRY
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- EMMA
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- HENRY
- THIRTY-NINE
- HENRY
- FORTY
- EMMA
- FORTY-ONE
- HENRY
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- EMMA
- FORTY-FOUR
- EMMA
- FORTY-FIVE
- HENRY
- EPILOGUE
- ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thursday: close family gathering (there are rumors of a game night—I hope you like charades?)
Friday: large event (dinner, dancing, etc)
Saturday: send-off event (dinner and fireworks)
Sunday: head home
It’s a lot, I know. During the day, we’ll be on our own or hanging out with my immediate family. Low-key stuff, nothing overwhelming.
Who am I kidding? This whole thing is going to be overwhelming, especially because I’m hiring you.
Sorry. I don’t mean it as a dig. Simply lamenting about my own idiocy. As far as your role… Girlfriend would be best. I’ll explain why at a later date, but posing as my other half would be ideal.
I’m rambling now. How often are we going to communicate? Are there rules? How’s your day going so far?
Ecstatically,
JD
* * *
To: JD7683
From: RBCompanions
Subject: Re:re: Hooray!
Date: September 4
JD,
Sounds like we’re going to have a loaded few days, but at least it gives us plenty of chances to sell our ‘relationship’ to your parents.
We can communicate as much or as little as you’d like. Within reason, of course. I have a full-time job that occupies most of my time.
My day is going pretty well, thanks for asking! It’s almost the weekend. Work has been okay. I’m going to an event with fireworks—that’s a first. Overall, there isn’t much room to complain. How about you? How’s your day?
Conspiratorially,
RB
* * *
To: RBCompanions
From: JD7683
Subject: Apologies
Date: September 6
RB,
Hey, happy Friday. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Work got chaotic, and when that happens, it consumes me. Suffice to say, I’m stoked it’s the weekend. Do you have any fun plans?
The fireworks are going to be over the top. You don’t have to pretend it doesn’t sound pretentious, because it absolutely is.
Selling this very fake relationship to my parents, my mother in particular, is the only goal of our time together. Whatever I have to do for it to be believable, I’m all in. One could say that I made a very regrettable error, and now I’m suffering from the consequences.
If I have to hold your hand nonstop for four nights, I’m in. I’ll superglue our palms together. I can also whisper sweet nothings in your ear if it’s going to put a realistic smile on your face.
If that’s allowed, of course. Please don’t let me cross a line.
Searching for Elmers,
JD
* * *
To: JD7683
From: RBCompanions
Subject: Re: Apologies
Date: September 7
JD,