Chapter 24 The Faux Confusing Reality

My parents were hosting a party at our house for my sister and Adam. It was sort of like a pre-wedding congratulatory party.

It made no sense to me because a wedding was a big enough celebration. There was no point in hosting a pre-wedding party.

My mind was spinning with a bunch of question marks.

I was standing in front of my full length floor mirror, brushing down the dress I was wearing when a knock on the door interrupted.

A moment later Wes peaked his head in before coming into my room, closing the door behind him.

He blew out a deep breath, quirking an eyebrow as he walked up behind me.

I looked at him through the mirror, smiling softly. I was wearing a red silk dress with a deep v-neck and spaghetti straps, the dress falling to my mid thighs. "I see you're wearing a matching tie."

Wes smiled, standing directly behind him and looking at me in the mirror. "I saw the dress sitting out on your bed earlier." The small action of him taking note of something so small, oddly enough made me feel like I was melting.

He sure as hell would be an amazing boyfriend if he wasn't so picky about finding the 'perfect girl who was worth committing to'.

"Good move. We come off as the perfect couple."

Wes's grin dropped for only a moment before he went back to smiling at me. He quirked an eyebrow, looking me up and down.

"You look good, Fi. You're beautiful."

My breath hitched in my throat, my whole face going red. I continued looking at Wes through the mirror, not being able to look at myself to see how brightly I was glowing with a blush. "Thanks," I exhaled. "You look good too. You clean up well."

I reached over to grab the necklace I had yet to put on, unclasping it before putting it around my neck.

"Here," Wes spoke, taking another step closer to me. "Let me."

He was standing so closely behind me that I could feel his warm breath hitting my bare shoulder. He took the chain from my hand, carefully lifting my hair so he could clasp it.

He clasped the necklace, setting it down before letting my loosely curled hair down to rest the way it did before. His fingers brushed the side of my neck causing my stomach to start feeling all fuzzy from the most minor touch.

He looked at me again, through the mirror. I met his eyes to see them dancing around in bliss, full of emotion.

I swallowed the lump in my throat seeing as Wes was still standing right behind me, so close that my back was almost touching his chest. I looked at him, stunned and confused. I was lost and frozen in spot, not sure what I was waiting for but I didn't have any words to be able to say anything.

Wes took a moment before exhaling shakily and taking a step back. "I'm a lucky guy." He grinned softly, almost weakly. Without saying anything else, he turned and left my room.

The house was packed with family friends and other guests who knew my parents or Mirah. I had spent most of the night having short conversations with people older than me, conversations that could not be more boring.

Mirah was bouncing around with Adam, going from person to person to be the best host possible.

I went to the make-shift bar my parents had set up, waiting for the bartender to hand me another drink.

I was leaning against the makeshift bar counter, glancing around the house to see everyone talking and socializing in such a formal manner.

"You couldn't seem any more bored."

I turned my head, locking eyes with Wes who grinned as he came over to stand beside me. I laughed, "If it was my wedding, I would much rather set up a whole game room for everyone to play twister. This is exactly how the rehearsal dinner is going to go down."

"You're not having fun?"

My eyebrows pulled together as I looked at him in disbelief. "Are you?"

He shrugged softly. "Technically you're my date so if I get to have the prettiest girl in the room, I won't complain."

I laughed softly reaching down to take his hand in mine. "The perfect gentleman with the perfect words."

Wes squeezed my hand softly, his eyes not leaving mine for a second. "Your dad has been introducing me to a lot of people. I feel like meat on the market but it's flattering because it's your dad."

My eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wow, my dad really does love you."

Wes stepped closer to me, leaning over to whisper in my ear, "He would be more heartbroken than me if we were to fake-breakup." His breath fanned the side of my face, his voice so deep and sexy in the whisper that I nearly shivered.

He pulled away from me, a knowing grin resting on his face.

I inhaled deeply through my nose. "Should I be offended that you are thinking about our faux break up? Here I thought we were going so smoothly."

Wes's eyes narrowed in a very scary but cocky manner. He stepped closer to me, moving so either one of his hands was holding the counter behind me, my back pressed against the counter. I was trapped between Wes's body and the counter.

"If I had you, I would never let you go." His voice was so silky and smooth, quiet in the most shiver causing way.

I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat, peering up at him. He was standing way too close to me for me to be able to form any words. All I could do was stare at him while my heart raced like crazy.

"You two may be forgetting this is very public with very many people around us. No need for PDA. Save that bit for the bedroom after everyone leaves."

Wes and I both were pulled out of the trance we had fallen into, snapping our heads over to see Stefan smirked as he approached the bar.

"What can I say?" Wes chuckled, a smirk on his face. His eyes didn't leave mine for a second. "I can't get enough of her."

Stefan made a gagging noise and he motioned for the bartender to pour him another. "Please don't get married too soon. I need a breather away from the whole family before they all gather again for Fia's wedding."

I cleared my throat, my whole entire face flushing completely. My face felt like it was on fire, burning so hot. I took a step away from Wes, "I should go find Sage."

And with that, I moved myself as far away from Wes as possible.

My head was spinning, going mad with emotions I couldn't get a hold on. Wes was completely giving me a mind screw over. In moments like the one that just took place, it almost made me forget that our dating relationship was fake.

We were just friends.

This was all a made up lie for reasons that have nothing to do with Wes, it was all for my sake. To save me from the torments of my family.

As if the universe was trying to give me some comfort, my phone started ringing. I stepped out onto the balcony to take the call.

"Michelle," I sighed as relief washed over me. "You have no idea how badly I needed to talk to you right now."

Michelle's laugh sounded through the phone. "I miss you too, Fia. How's everything going?"

I ran a hand through my hair, leaning against the railing. "Things are going okay. So far I have only snapped at Mirah once."

Michelle heaved out a heavy breath. "I am proud, girl. That's good. I love the restraint and self control."

I laughed at her comment. "Trust me, there is so much more drama to come once the rest of the family flies in for the actual wedding."

"Good luck," she spoke in a confident voice, like she knew I would handle it. She sounded like she really was proud of me. "Anyways, how is the fake dating going? I am so curious." Her voice evidently showed her excitement and intrigue about how things were going between Wes and I.

I paused for a moment, needing to breath. "Elle, this might have been a terrible idea."

"What?" She gaped, her tone going horrified. "Why? What happened?"

I bit down on my lip, not even sure how to explain. I was so flustered by the little moments between Wes and I or replaying small things he said on a loop. I had no idea where my head was.

"Nothing, I think. Wes is amazing, as per usual the best friend to have around," I frowned. "I'm really glad he's here, I think we're both having a better time than we expected."

Michelle paused, I could tell she was confused. "So what's wrong? Why don't you sound please?"

"Michelle," I whined, frowning. "Wes is amazing. Like literally the perfect boyfriend. I know it's all for show but he gets me all flustered up."

Michelle paused for a moment before she started laughing at me. "Seriously? How is that bad?"

My eyes went wide in disbelief. "My mind is spinning because he gets me feeling some type of way I cannot explain. We're friends and this whole fake dating thing is starting to make the lines blur. Things are already getting confusing and it's barely been a few days."

"Girl," from her tone I could tell she was rolling her eyes at me. "I don't see any problem here. You and Wes have been connected since you first met. You might not be able to see it, you never have but trust me, he's always been perfect for you."

I narrowed my eyes, utterly confused. "What?"

"Come on, Fia. I've never seen you get along with someone better than you do with Wes. It was bound that you catch feelings at some point."

I scoffed loudly, shaking my head although she couldn't see me. "When did I say anything about feelings? All I'm saying is that fake dating might complicate and confuse our friendship."

Michelle sighed, exhausted. "Look, I'll be straight with you. We both know that you guys are probably past the point of just friendship. There's too much tension and heat between you guys at this point."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're kidding."

"Nope," she spoke bluntly. "He makes you feel some type of way, you said it yourself."

"So what are you saying?"

"I don't know," Michelle mumbled quietly. "Your mind is spun because part of you keeps forgetting that you two aren't really dating. The reason for that is because everything going on between your fake relationship, everything you both feel, it's real."

I didn't know how I was supposed to respond to that. I didn't even know how I felt about what Michelle just said.

"I have to go," she sighed. "I'll call you later but trust me, Fia, things are only about to get more confusing."

She mumbled a quick 'love you, bye' before hanging up, leaving me standing alone on the balcony with nothing but an ocean of confusion brewing in me.