Ruefully, she remembered the time when she and Daniel took her parents out to dinner. At twenty-nine years of age, she had finally introduced a boyfriend to her parents. Her mother had been so excited it was like she herself was going out on her first date.
Three weeks after that, she was single again. She felt she had failed at something significant and swallowed the pain and guilt that attacked her at disappointing her parents—and herself.
"Are you okay, Clarise?" Victor's voice brought her back into the present.
"Yes, I was just thinking of Megan's plan to foist single men on me. I don't want to look desperate! How mortifying would that be?"
She smiled at the man in front of her. She couldn't help but think that it was, indeed, very unfortunate for the female population that Victor was gay. He was really hot-looking and a decent guy to boot.
"I'm so looking forward to your sister's engagement party but I seriously hope there are no handsome, muscular hunks there or I won't be able to keep up our pretence."
They laughed out loud.
CHAPTER TWO
Victor got out of the car, looking gorgeous in his light grey, long-sleeved, collared shirt and black pants. He went to the passenger side to open Clarise's door. With her in a chic, blue silk dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, the two of them were a picture of a beautiful couple.
"Thank you, darling," she murmured to Victor as she gracefully got out of the vehicle. Her eyes danced with controlled laughter as she watched him act out their game. "What is your mantra again tonight?" she teased him.
"I'm a sexy, handsome, straight man who's crazy about you," he whispered with a snicker. "Don't make me laugh or we'll give the game away. Your parents are watching us."
Clarise waved to her parents. They, too, had just arrived and were patiently waiting for them, trying not to stare at Victor.
She knew Megan would have told their mum straight away about her 'new boyfriend' after she had called a couple of days ago. She'd informed Megan she was bringing a date to her party after all.
"Is this your new boyfriend?" her sister had asked with open interest.
"I work with Victor, and we, umm, get along really well and we really like each other," she had answered. "There's the complication of working together but we seem to be managing it quite well. I'm really looking forward to introducing him to you guys."
She wasn't good at lying and had tried to sound mysterious. She wanted Megan to believe there was something romantic between her and Victor without actually saying the words. She must have succeeded because right now, as she and Victor walked hand in hand towards her parents, she could tell her mum was trying to hide a huge, pleased grin.
She made the necessary introductions before they proceeded towards Rick's parents' house, where the engagement party was being held. Before they walked in, her mum pulled her aside.
"Well, he's better looking than Daniel, Clarise. And he seems like such a gentleman."
She smiled with relief.
~~~~~~~
The Smithson's house was in full party mode. There was a large marquee in their manicured backyard, which was decked out with gold, silver and light pink balloons with a small dance floor on one side and a sumptuous buffet and round tables on the other.
Clarise marvelled at the number of expected guests. For what was supposed to be a small party for family and close friends only, there were still around fifty place settings. But she knew Megan worried about their other friends she couldn't invite, as she and Rick had to be ruthless with their guest list.
She nervously thought of the single men Megan had invited. Not many, she hoped, feeling guilty. She should have thought of the charade with Victor much earlier.
She caught sight of her sister, looking radiant and beautiful with Rick beside her. She felt a warm glow in her heart with seeing her younger sister so happy. With only fifteen months separating them, they shared a very close bond.
"Meg!" she called.
Her sister ran to her and hugged her tightly before turning to Victor.
"Hi, you must be Victor," Megan said, discreetly checking him out from head to toe.
"Yes, how are you Megan?"
"I'm wonderful, thank you. I'm glad to meet you."
"Likewise," Victor responded.
"I'll leave you in the capable hands of Clarise, Victor. My boss just arrived and he's by himself. I better introduce him to some people."
"Don't worry about us," Clarise said. "Go attend to your guests."
Megan gave her another hug and whispered in her ear, "He's hot, sis."
"I know," she whispered back.
Megan winked at Victor before walking away.
This little charade seemed to be working and Clarise allowed herself to relax.