Becca

Felicia’s giggles grow louder, her hands clapping together as if my news is cause for a full-blown celebration. “This is great! Tell us everything.”

And I do. For the next few minutes, I spill it all—from the way Shane had me called out of one of my classes just to talk to me after he realized I was avoiding him, to how he came over later that night to help me polish my presentation. And, of course, the amazing kiss that night. The one that came right after he admitted he was in love with me and begged me to take a chance on us.

“Oh my gosh, he’s such a romantic!” Felicia gushes, practically swooning. “No wonder. He’d have to be to melt through all those icy walls you’ve built.”

Her comment earns an eye roll as I slump down in my chair, absently forking through my food, trying to summon the appetite that seems to have abandoned me. “There’s more,” I mutter, dropping my fork with a sigh before wrapping my arms around myself.

“More?” Joss asks, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

Felicia, on the other hand, is already halfway to a conclusion, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “Oh my god, you had sex with him, didn’t you?” she whisper-shrieks, buzzing with glee. “You naughty girl! You lost your virginity to Shane Montgomery, didn’t you?”

“What? No! I didn’t. We did not have sex. Good lord, Felicia, what is wrong with you?” I groan, shaking my head at her, but it’s hard to stay mad when she looks so utterly unapologetic, just shrugging like it was a valid assumption.

“If not that, then what?” she presses, her expression unchanged.

“Ugh,” I groan, running a hand over my face out of frustration over the situation. Now that I’m trying to explain it aloud, I realize just how complicated and messy it all is. Complicated is something I don’t do. I pride myself on living a life of simplicity. Of order. Of structure and certainty. So why am I even considering this when it’s the complete opposite of everything I stand for?

Standing, I carry my plate to the trash, dumping my uneaten food before placing it in the sink. Guilt twists in my stomach as I gather the courage to reveal something so deeply personal to Shane. But this is uncharted territory, and I need their advice. Turning to my friends, I lean back against the sink and brace myself.

“Shane told me today that his parents have arranged for him to marry Amanda Kline after he graduates from college.”

Felicia gasps, but it’s Jocelyn’s reaction that surprises me—her brow furrows, and she looks furious. “That little cheat. I’ll kill him. I swear to God, I’ll kill him for hurting you.”

“No, Joss, stop! It’s not like that.” I hurry to explain. “He doesn’t want to marry her. He’s being forced to. They haven’t even been together in more than a year.”

“An arranged marriage?” Felicia’s voice is filled with disbelief. “Is that even legal? Entering a marriage under duress?”

“No, it’s not,” I reply. “And he doesn’t intend to go through with it. But he wanted me to know because he doesn’t want any secrets between us.”

“So, he told his parents no, right?” Joss’s eyes narrow with suspicion. “That he’s not going through with the marriage?”

“Yes, he did. Or at least, he tried to, but his dad wouldn’t hear it. His father made it seem like he and Amanda don’t have a choice in the matter.”

“Oh, my god…” Felicia gets up from the table and wraps me in one of her signature warm hugs. “I’m so sorry. So, what are you guys going to do?”

“Nothing for now,” I answer, pulling away a little, uncomfortable as always with her touchy-feely nature. “The way he sees it, he has four years to figure a way out of it. In the meantime, he wants us to continue getting to know one another.”

“In secret?” Joss scoffs, always quick to jump to the worst-case scenario.

“No. I mean, yeah, for now. But only because I’m not ready to tell anyone about us yet. You two are the only ones who know. When I’m ready, though, Shane’s fine with us going public. He’s making sure both sets of parents understand that until after college, he and Amanda will lead separate lives and date other people.”

“And you’re okay with that? Really, Becks?” Joss gives me a skeptical look, her protective instincts in full force.

“No, I’m not okay with it. But what other choice do I have if I want to see where things go with me and Shane? For all I know, in six months, we might decide we don’t work, and the whole arranged marriage thing won’t even matter.”

“And what if, instead, you fall in love with him? What if, after investing four years into the relationship, he turns around and marries her anyway? He’s rich as hell, Becca. He comes from a world where decisions are driven by personal gain. What if, in four years, he realizes he stands to gain more by marrying the Kline heiress than by marrying you—for something as insignificant as love?”

Ouch. 

Joss’s words land harder than I expected, and I rub my chest, trying to soothe the sudden ache. The blunt truth behind what she’s said stings, sending a wave of doubt and uncertainty crashing over me. It’s a reality I hadn’t considered until now, and the weight of it feels suffocating.

“Or he’ll choose love,” Felicia counters softly, her voice full of hope as her eyes search mine. “And besides, though it’s not public knowledge, you’re also potentially a Klein heiress. Charles Kline is your father, Amanda your half-sister. That makes you just as worthy of a marriage to Shane. It makes you—”

“Now I get it.” Joss cuts her off sharply, her glare burning into me. “This is about Charles Kline, isn’t it? About getting back at him for everything he’s done to your family.”

She’s hit a nerve, and though I’d normally not take the bait, I’m too raw to tap into my usual self-control. “This isn’t about getting back at him! It has nothing to do with revenge—it’s about refusing to let that man take one more thing away from me!” The second the words leave my mouth, her satisfied smirk tells me I’ve already said too much. I instantly regret it because I know exactly what’s coming. It’s the same thing my conscience has been whispering, the very same thing I’ve stubbornly refused to acknowledge. 

“You’re making a mistake,” she says, her voice sharp with warning. “Not only are you putting your heart on the line, but you’re doing the same to Shane. Worst of all, you’re painting a target on your back. You’re taunting Charles Kline, daring him to put you in your place, just like he did with your mom and anyone else who’s ever crossed him. You’re risking not just your life but the lives of everyone you love and care about. For what? A losing battle you already know you can’t win.” Her gaze hardens with disappointment while shame floods through me. “Have you even told him?”

“Told him what?”

“About your connection to Charles, to Amanda. Have you told him the real reason you’re on board with this convoluted mess?”

Joss’s tone is accusatory, which grates on me. But deep down, I know that she’s right. Because I haven’t told Shane. I’m holding back crucial details that could completely change how he sees this whole situation. Details that might make him reconsider everything between us. Details that might make him walk away. 

“You need to tell him.” Joss points at me, her eyes burning with the kind of intensity that comes from genuine concern. “He deserves to know who you are and what this could mean for him—for you. You need to tell him before it’s too late. Before Charles finds out the two of you are together because once that happens, life as you know it—for both of you—will never be the same. Charles Kline will come after you. He will hurt you. And when it’s all said and done, none of this will have been worth it.”

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Author’s Note:

Do you think Jocelyn is right? Should Becca tell Shane about her relation to both Charles and Amanda Kline? If so, do you think knowing the truth would change how Shane feels about her? 

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