All Chapters of Bouquet Of Deception : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

11 EthanTwo days before Liam's wedding, nerves had taken over me. I couldn't stop thinking about how badly things could go. What if Liam saw through our plan? What if I messed up? The constant what-ifs had me on edge, and I couldn't focus on anything else, even at work. Clara tried to reassure me, but her words barely made a dent.By the time I got to Riley's place, I was practically vibrating with anxiety. He was relaxed, much more so than I felt, and while I was grateful for his calmness, I couldn't shake the unease. We went shopping to pick out what we needed for the wedding, and despite Riley's attempts to make it fun, I was tense the entire time. People thought we were a couple, which only made me more self-conscious, but Riley handled it smoothly, like this was no big deal.Back at his apartment, with our shopping done, Riley's words about having a plan gave me a sliver of hope. But deep down, I was still terrified. Tomorrow was going to be a lot harder than it seemed. ****

13RileyI hadn’t meant for Ethan to notice. Hell, I hadn’t meant to do it. The coffee table incident was a slip, plain and simple—a stupid mistake caused by nerves and too much pent-up energy. But when I saw the way he looked at me, eyes wide and full of questions, I knew I’d messed up.Now, as Ethan sat across from me on the couch, his brows furrowed in that annoyingly determined way, I could feel the tension hanging heavy in the air. My wolf instincts, normally buried deep beneath layers of control, were buzzing—restless, heightened, and far too attuned to him.When he’d brushed my hand earlier, just the lightest touch, it was like a spark had shot through me. Not the kind of spark you’d get from static electricity—no, this was something deeper. Primal.And that was the problem.I couldn’t afford to let my wolf instincts take over, not here, not with him.“Better left alone,” I’d said. It was true—my secrets weren’t just mine to keep. They were a matter of survival. For me. For my p

15 Riley I headed back to my room after Ethan went to get ready. It hit me that I still hadn’t decided what to wear. Sure, tonight was all about Ethan, but I couldn’t exactly show up looking like I’d just rolled out of bed. The clothes I bought with him were still in the bag on my chair. I pulled them out and held the shirt up to my chest in the mirror. It was nice—sleek, fitted, and way classier than my usual vibe. Perfect for tonight. Still, I was feeling a little... stressed. It wasn’t just about Ethan pulling this off; it was about me not screwing it up. What kind of friend would I be if I let him down now? I quickly got dressed, the jeans fitting just snug enough to make me wonder if I’d eaten too much pizza lately. The shirt, though, was a winner. When I buttoned it up and gave myself a once-over, I had to admit I looked decent. Not that it mattered. “Alright, Riley,” I muttered to myself, pacing my room as I pulled on my shoes. “You’re here to help Ethan, not to stress

17EthanThe night felt heavier with every passing minute. Despite the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the casual chatter, my mind was a whirlwind of frustration, confusion, and regret. Riley seemed to notice me withdrawing, but he never stopped being his usual, easygoing self, turning the mood lighter whenever I seemed close to spiraling.“You alright, man?” Riley’s voice broke through the fog of my thoughts. He leaned in, his voice dropping low enough that only I could hear.“Yeah,” I replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Just… thinking.”“Don’t let it eat you up,” he said, his tone far too wise for someone my age. “You’ve got two choices, Ethan: You can let this night swallow you, or you can own it. You decide.”I swallowed, looking at him for a moment. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”Riley shrugged, grinning. “It’s a gift. Plus, I’ve had a lot of practice pretending to know what I’m doing.”I laughed. Really laughed. For the first time t

19EthanRiley settled back into his seat, looking far too pleased with himself. I placed the bouquet on the table, glaring at him. “You’re enjoying this way too much.” He grinned. “Of course. You have to admit, it’s been entertaining.” I couldn’t argue with that. The mix of emotions on Liam’s face alone had been worth it. Speaking of Liam and Owen, they had both vanished shortly after Riley’s dramatic bouquet catch. “Where do you think they went?” I asked, glancing at their empty chairs. “Probably to sulk or scheme,” Riley said, leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of wine. “Though I wouldn’t put it past them to come back with some sort of ridiculous plan for revenge.” I chuckled at the thought. “Knowing them, that sounds about right.” Moments later, the lights dimmed slightly, and a spotlight illuminated the middle of the room. The MC’s voice boomed again. “Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for—the arrival of the wedding cake!” The crowd erupte