11

Tiffany’s POV

My palms were damp and my heart beat loudly as Andy drove us to his family home. I was anxious, partly because I didn’t know what to expect, but mostly because of the conversation I’d had with Rosie that afternoon.

She called me when I got back to my clinic.

“Sorry I haven’t called you earlier, Tiff, my day has been crazy.” She said breathlessly. “About Tim, turns out he fell really sick that evening and had to be taken to hospital. Doctors suspect appendicitis. So he’s out for now, but don’t worry, I’ll find you someone before the wedding.”

“Thanks, but it won’t be nessecery.”

“Don’t tell me you’re giving up?”

“No. I’ve found someone already.”

“Who? When? How?” She asked rapidly.

“Andy Harris.” I said reluctantly.

She reacted just the way I knew she would. Squealing, laughing, and talking a mile a minute. As usual I had to shout to be heard.

“Calm down! We aren’t getting married. It's just a fake date. Untill we both get want we want.”

“But what’s wrong if you were? You both look cute together.”

“Not a chance. I have not, and will not forgive his crimes in high school. I'm only going through with this because the stupid paparazzi forced me to.”

“You said you’re fake dating?” She asked.

“Yeah.” I told her about the deal.

“I don’t know Tiff, are you sure it’s going to be that easy to back out? What if you end up falling in love with him? And vice versa?”

“Not happening. The only feeling I’ll ever feel for that Neanderthal is hate.”

But now as I sat beside him, I didn’t really feel the usual hate, if anything I felt excited, as if I was really going with my fiancée to meet his parents. And judging from the way he’d looked at me, I had a feeling he was feeling something too. My eyes drifted to his groin and I pretended not to know what the bulge there was. But I couldn’t help noticing how big it was.

How did it look without clothes? I thought.

Focus Tiffany! He's the enemy, remember?

Andy broke the awkward silence.

“We better get out stories straight before we get there.”

I nodded in agreement .

“First I’ll give you an idea of what to expect. There’s my bitchy stepmom Glenn, my asshole half brother Justin, and his nasty wife Kelly. Don’t be fooled by their smiles, they’re all hateful jerks who love –“

“Making your life miserable.” I finished for him. “Say no more, I have such demons in my family.”

He smiled a little. “Guess we are more alike than we think.”

“Guess so.” I smiled back.

We realized we were smiling at each other and quickly stopped.

Andy began telling me our cover story and I listened intently. Finally we arrived at Chestnut Hill, where the family mansion was located.

A maid let us in. Glenn, Kelly, and Justin were In the luxurious living room. Glenn gave me a hug as I came in.

“So nice to finally meet you.” She smiled. “You look beautiful. Dinner is almost ready. I made a special dish just for you.”

I smiled politely, but I wasn’t fooled. I’d been around too many snakes not to recognize a viper.

“Nice to finally meet you. Tiffany right?” Justin said, shaking my hand. “Wait, Tiffany Baxter? We were in high school together, remember?”

 

“Sure I do. You were on the tennis team.”

 

“And you used to show what a dumbass Andy was.” He laughed.

 

Andy frowned, and I looked uncomfortable.

 

Justin hadn’t changed much since high school. His brown hair and eyes were the same, and he wasn’t as tall as Andy, or as good looking, but he was still well dressed. His suit looked expensive. Kelly smiled politely at me, but her dislike was clear in her dark blue eyes.

 

“Andy, with your reputation how did you bag this beauty? Or did you hide your ugly past from her?” Justin smirked.

 

“Tiffany knows all about me and she’s very comfortable about it.” Andy snapped.

 

“I doubt that. She’s human. Only an animal would be comfortable with your lifestyle.”

Kelly laughed lightly. Andy’s jaw tightened. I tensed, wondering if I should get ready for a fist fight, at that moment Andy’s dad, Jake Harris walked in.

“Andy you’re here. And this must be your fiancee? She’s beautiful.” He looked me over in admiration, I blushed in embarrassment.

“Thank you Mr. Harris, it’s nice to finally meet you too. Andy has told me a lot about you.” I said smoothly.

“Yet nothing about you. How about we change that over dinner?” He said.

“Goid idea, everyone to the dining room.” Glenn announced, leading the way.

Behind me I heard Jake say to Andy,

“Good job son, you're definitely going to be Harrisco CEO.”

Justin heard it too. I saw his jaw clench in anger.

I took a deep breath and braced myself for an awkward family dinner.