Isobel P.O.V.

The girls and I were all having a spa day, today to get facial treatments, our hair done, and our nails done- all in preparation for the upcoming nuptials.

We all had to look our best!

Sophie was currently having her nails painted a light peachy nude colour, whilst the rest of us bridesmaids got a beige nude, a soft natural hue to compliment the dresses and accessories.

"Oh my gosh!!!!" Sophie squealed. "There's only a few more days to the wedding. What if we forget something, or there's a cancellation? Omg!"

"Relax," I said softly and slowly, motioning for her to take a deep breath. "Breathe. Everything is going to be fine. They're professionals, they'll handle it if something happens. Honestly you've done a great job organising everything. I'm positive nothing has been forgotten. We can do a checklist when we get home okay?"

I was 100% convinced this wedding will go off without a hitch. The only things getting hitched are Sophie and Oliver- even if I had to do it myself. I had checked the forecast and it looked great, as it should be in May, the last month of Spring. It could get a tiny bit cooler at night but that shouldn't be an issue. What was important was, that there were clear skies and a comfortable temperature that wasn't too high or low for the guests sitting outdoors.

"Okay," she nodded, inhaling and exhaling slowly. "Yeah you're right, I think we've got everything done now. Just gotta get our dresses tomorrow, ceremony booklets and the rehearsal dinner..."

"Right." I smiled encouragingly. "It's all under control. We are right on schedule!"

She nodded and grinned. "I'm getting married Is!!!"

I giggled. "I know!"

"Eeeep," she squealed clutching onto my hands.

"Come on lets relax now so we can get our toes done," I chuckled, leaning back in the comfy armchair as the pedicure lady began working on my nails.

"So Soph, is Remi single?" Jenny piped up curiously, looking up from her magazine.

"Hmm, I think so," Soph pursed her lips to the side in thought.

"Okay, good to know," she smirked.

"What have you got planned now lady danger?" I asked her with a quirked brow.

"He's cute." She shrugged. "I need options... might have a go at him after the reception. Also, he's like the only groomsmen I didn't go to high school with..."

Jenny was so funny sometimes. She was daring and fun, totally in tune with her womanly prowess. I chuckled. "You're a badass."

"Thanks," she winked. "So are you though. Honestly if I were you I would've gotten into Kade's pants already. Make him your boy toy."

I waved it off. "Nah, he's not mine whatsoever, he is free range for all the ladies," I said as convincing as I could, although the thought of him hooking up with someone at the wedding didn't sit well with me.

"You can't fool me girl, we all know Kade's got the hots for you. Always has, always will."

"I second that," Casey shot an arm up.

"No," I chuckled and shook my head. "No... it's not like that."

"Is, even I can see that he's definitely into you, you're the only person he ever has his eyes on," Claudia added. "And I've known him for like three days!"

"Soph?" I turned to my best friend, pouting for some help.

She shook her head and smiled amusedly. "No comment."

It was always tricky business negotiating political warfare between your boyfriend's best friend, who was also your good friend and your best friend, who's also your boyfriend's good friend!

I sighed as I churned over the thoughts. There was this immense attraction between us, that was frustratingly difficult to ignore...

"There there," Jenny pat me on the arm. "Maybe once you bang him, it'll all be clear."

"Um, thanks," I laughed. She's not much of an advice-giver, more of a cheer-upperer. It was much more her style.

After a fresh shampoo, condition, treatment and blow dry, alongside a manipedi and a purple peel mask, we were all fresh and rejuvenated. The spa honestly does wonders, I feel like I'm walking around now with an extra pep in my step.

~

In the evening, I sat on my laptop on the lounge once again as I worked on the slideshow. I dragged and dropped the pictures into iMovie and adjusted the zoom in and pace of each photo. I was now upto all our senior year pictures. Kade had actually come through and sent me a whole bunch he could find.

Scrolling through, I noticed that not only did he send me pictures of them, he sent me pictures of us. I clicked on one as I remembered the memory. It was at a football game of course, and he had an arm slung over my shoulder with a grin, whilst I had my arms crossed over with a sarcastic smile. I chuckled before clicking next. My heart stopped for a moment as I remembered this particular one. It was a selfie of us, I was giggling with my eyes shut as he had his head tucked just under my jaw playfully biting me.

"We look so young huh?" Kade asked from behind me.

I jumped as I slammed the laptop shut. "You know you have a habit of scaring me?!" I scolded.

He chuckled. "You're just easy to sneak up on."

"Well you are just sneaky in general. Like a suspicious cat, lurking around, stalking people with beady little eyes."

"Okay? Got something against cats?"

"No, yes. No, okay kind of. Anyways, you're like a frat boy sliding into the DM's. Sneaky, with a capital S." I hissed. "Like a private investigator maybe. Hiding behind a moustache and newspaper on a park bench watching people creepily."

"You done?" He chuckled, popping himself down on the couch beside me.

"Yup." I nodded as I proceeded to work on my slideshow. "Sneaky."

"Okay got it, Miss Descriptive, with a capital D." He grinned smugly.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm a writer. It just happens like word vomit."

He raised his hands, palms forward as if to say he surrenders. "Soooo you were looking at that picture of us for an awful long time for someone who has a boyfriend," he questioned suspiciously.

"My boyfriend!" I burst out a little too loudly. Why do I keep forgetting about my damn "boyfriend"? "Yeah right, you know he's honestly not the jealous type. Super secure. My boyfriend wouldn't care that I was umm... reminiscing?" My voice went high at the end as I cringed. I'm digging myself a hole.

"What's there to reminisce?" He probed even further. Like he was testing me to say it out loud.

I swallowed. "You know, memories. Photos um capture those..."

"Do I make you nervous Bel?" he arched an eyebrow at me, leaning in a little closer.

Too close.

"What, noooo," I blew a breath. "It's just my boyfriend um, might not like this," I waved in between us and scooted over to create some more space.

"I thought you just said he wasn't the jealous type?" he eyed me in amusement.

"Yeah... ha, I said that. Well you know, I say a lot of shit so." I shrugged casually.

He nodded slowly. "Yeah you sure do..."

"Hey! You do too!" I shot up with with a frown.

"Mm, I guess we're just two shit-talkers then."

"Yeah, I guess we are." I chuckled.

He gazed at me for a second before he lit up, like he suddenly had an epiphany. "You know you keep emphasising the fact that you have a "boyfriend". Have you forgotten his name or something? Or is he just made up?" He crossed his arms over to analyse me. My cheeks heat up under his scrutinising gaze.

Fuck.

How does he know?!

"What? Of course not. His name is Drew."

"Really?"

"Yup, I'll call him right now." I added sassily. I sent Drew a quick text to tell him to act like my fake boyfriend before dialling his number.

"Hey girl!" Drew's bubbly voice said over the speakerphone. I cringed. It was pretty high-pitched.

Kade watched me in amusement. He was totally not buying it.

"Heeeey Drewww," I said as sweetly as possible, drawing it out. I needed to fix this fast, and I could have fun with it, I guess. "Did you get my text I sent you earlier? I sent you a little something baby," I said seductively, biting my lip.

Kade's face dropped. Ha! Got 'em..

"Wh- Oh," Drew cleared his voice so it was now lowered. It sounded so funny, but I think he finally got the memo. "Right, thanks baby, I loved it. You take it just for daddy?" he said gruffly. I choked. Wait a sec- let me just spit my tea out. This is too good. I was literally going to start crying with laughter.

"Um yeah of course, you're welcome," I bit my lip hard to stop myself from giggling. I glanced over to Kade who was watching uncomfortably. "Can't wait to see you!" I chirped, twirling a strand of hair.

"Can't wait to see your sweet little ass."

My eyes widened, as I struggled to hold in the laughter. "Okay bye!" I said hanging up the phone. Any more of this conversation and I'll blow our covers.

Kade had the sulkiest face you could ever find on an adult male. His eyebrows were pinched together as his lips were downturned. His eyes were troubled.

What's that? Smells like a victory to me! I refrained from laughing as I packed up my stuff and left to hide in my bedroom. When I reached the safety of my own private space, I called Drew back.

"Daddy? Sweet little ass?" I repeated his earlier statements in amusement.

"I was in macho man mode! I don't know what them straight men be sayin to their ladies," he laughed.

I chortled. "Thankyou so much for that by the way."

"No worries, girl," he chuckled. "So what was it for?

"Just needed to get a guy off my back," I said nonchalantly.

"Uh huh, is he hot? Can I have him?"

I chuckled. "Well uh yeah... he's really attractive. But it's just not going to work, I guess."

"Oooft, you gotta send me a pic or his Instagram or something though."

"Okay," I laughed.

"Well I gotta get back to killing the game now, ta-ta babycakes," Drew said in his best deep voice.

Oh boy, what have I created? "Okay. See ya Drew." I hung up to finish off my slideshow with a big smile.

~

Kade P.O.V.

I stewed over the conversation I was unfortunately a part of with Isobel and her "boyfriend." Let's just say, I am not a happy chap. I felt like my face was permanently etched into a frown and there could be steam coming out of my ears. Was I jealous? Hell, I probably fucking was. Although she had certainly called someone to prove her boyfriend story, I still found it odd the way she acted every time I brought it up. And I was going to get to the bottom of it. I liked to think I knew her well. There were very few moments Isobel stammered and stuttered. She was always confident with herself. It just wasn't like her to be nervous when she spoke about things, unless of course she was lying.

"Hey you two," I greeted as Sophie and Oliver came through the door. They had just arrived home from a dinner date together.

"Hi Kade," Sophie chirped.

"Hey bud," Oliver nodded over to me as he untied his shoes. It was a habit of his that he maintained from his mom. Honestly, it made so much sense. Why would you bring extra dirt into the house that you had to clean later, when you could just leave your shoes at the door? Anywho, I had something to suss out...

"So Sophie, have you met Isobel's boyfriend?" I asked casually, midway through watching a football re-run on the TV.

"Huh?" she frowned confusedly at me, like she had no idea what I was talking about. Soph doesn't know? That's the biggest indicator this whole thing is a sham.

"Y'know, Drew? Who apparently doesn't have a last name. That guy." I said, baiting her for more information.

"What, Is' friend from Red?" Sophie said. Friend? Red? Isn't that where Isobel works? This is getting even more fishier than I had previously thought. "Oh! You mean Drew, Drew, right- her now um boyfriend!" She suddenly burst out with. "Um no I haven't met him before! But I've seen him on like, snapchats Is sent me..." she said, fidgeting with her hair nervously.

Oliver shot his fiancé a confused look. She looked back at him with wide eyes and cleared her throat. "Come on Ollie, let's go rehearse some of our dance steps!" She pulled Oliver up by the arm as she raced up the stairs. Ollie gave me a shrug over his shoulders, he didn't know what was going on either.

They were definitely hiding something though, it seemed. I pulled out my phone to do some stalking. I work in PR, I'm good with media, and social media advertising was all the rage these days. I decided to check Isobel's Instagram first, and scrolled down to see if there were any photos at all of them or if she was tagged in any with this "Drew" character. Not gonna lie I may have stalked her before, but I wasn't particularly looking out for anything. She's gorgeous, I thought as I passed through the photos on her feed, always has been, and always will be.

A-ha! The only Drew in existence on her feed. Drew Allen. It was a picture of them out at a bar sipping on cocktails together. He was on the slim side, with a velvet blazer, some skinny pants, multiple heavy metal rings on his fingers, one dangly earring and bleached platinum blonde hair on top. I eyed his appearance, he didn't seem like Isobel's type but I wasn't one to judge at first sight. I clicked on his account as I scrolled through the photos. Fashion director at Red, his bio said. Huh. So he does work with her. I kept scrolling, becoming more confused than I already was. No way were they dating. I don't believe it. It honestly didn't seem like it at all. 1. No romantic photos of them. 2. Even in photos they seemed like just friends. 3. He didn't seem into women... but I needed something more concrete rather than assumption. It's not nice to judge.

Bingo, I smirked. There was a photo of him kissing another man at a pride march. Now it makes a whole lot more sense. Isobel, Isobel Isobel. Can't fool me. Too fucking easy. They were obviously just friends.

What was even more interesting was, why did she feel the need to make up a pretend partner? I couldn't wait to find out.