Make a Scene

By Mimi Grace

Faking this relationship should be a piece of cake.
Retta Majors is having a bad day. But that’s to be expected when your ex gets engaged to your cousin. Instead of (totally) freaking out, Retta decides to attend the wedding with her amazing, faithful, and handsome boyfriend.
One problem.
He doesn’t exist.
Duncan Gilmore is living his dream. His boxing gym is open for business, and he’s focused on success. The last thing on his mind is a relationship. That is until the beautiful baker next door makes him an offer so bizarre, he can’t refuse. One weekend of pretending to be Retta’s boyfriend should be easy.
However, shared kisses and some flirting start to blur the lines in their fake relationship. When their performance draws to a close, will they go their separate ways or return for an encore?

Note: This novel can be read as a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mimi Grace
• Release date: Sep 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781999108243

Mimi Grace

Mimi Grace is a romance author whose early love for the genre turned her into a bookworm. Besides books, she loves generous servings of mint chocolate chip ice cream, long-running reality competition TV shows, and when she spells “necessary” correctly.

Book preview

Chapter One

There were only two things Retta Majors truly hated: (1) low-rise jeans and (2) people who smugly corrected anyone who misidentified Frankenstein as the monster. But today she could add a third thing to her list.

We’re getting married!

Retta stared unblinking at her cousin Irene and her now fiancé, Chris, as they stood in the middle of the living room with coordinated outfits and grins. At least, she thought Chris was also smiling, but it was hard to tell with the beard that reached his chest.

In two months, Irene added, thrusting her left hand in front of her to showcase the enormous rock on her finger.

An eruption of joyous babble and congratulations followed as family and friends converged on the couple.

Retta had only been at the gathering, pitched to her as a casual birthday party for her Aunt Tina, for thirty minutes before the announcement dropped.

While on the couch, sandwiched between two of the oldest people in her family and with a Pomeranian on her lap, Retta examined the feasibility of army crawling out of the house.

She’s going to make such a beautiful bride, one of Retta’s relatives said to no one in particular as she admired Irene in a pretty dress with bracelet-length sleeves.

Can you believe it? Less than a year and he seals the deal, another said.

Retta placed the dog onto the carpet and unfolded her tall frame from the plastic-covered sofa, forcing a smile.

Where was Mrs. Whitfield with the wine?

The warmth sweeping through the room was evidence there were too many people packed into her aunt’s modest-sized house. She sidestepped the children in attendance who were taking advantage of the adults’ excitement by performing an overly complicated dance. Retta managed to get to the adjoining kitchen without being stopped, but she found her aunt and uncle with a family friend chatting about the hot topic of the evening.

What does he do? the family friend who wore a headwrap and bright purple lipstick asked.

They didn’t notice her entrance, and Retta ignored them in turn for the open wine bottle nestled between abandoned plates and empty serving dishes on the counter. Now for the impossible task of finding a clean glass or cup in the cluttered kitchen.

You know what? I don’t know, her aunt replied. Leroy, do you know?

Her uncle stood with a glass half-filled with brown liquor, his slightly round stomach pressing against his dress shirt. His eyes remained glued to the living-room television playing the PGA Championship as he shook his head.

After (barely) rejecting a muffin pan as a viable drinking vessel, Retta said, He’s an engineer with a utility company.

She regretted her insertion into the conversation when the two women turned to her and oohed in unison.

I remember when you girls were young and jumping rope in the driveway. Now look, the family friend said, gesturing toward Irene who’d applied every poise training she received as a pageant girl to hold court.

Retta nodded, retrieving a measuring cup from the drawer she’d opened.

Finally.

After several seconds her aunt said, You must be so happy for her.

Retta looked at her over the brim of the cup. After swallowing a mouthful of wine and straightening her glasses, she said, Mhmm. Very.

Actually, she felt like she’d woken up in a world where a hookah-smoking caterpillar existed, and she was trying not to freak out.

Her aunt must’ve interpreted the edge in Retta’s voice as longing because she said, And of course, your time will come, baby.

The family friend nodded, threatening to undo her precariously knotted headwrap. You need to try some of those dating apps. I’ve really come around to them since Janet—you know Janet—had success with the Bubbles one.

Keep dating and trying because mighty oaks from little acorns grow, her aunt said.

Retta sighed and took another swig of wine before smiling big and saying, Excuse me.

With brisk steps, she made her way to the restroom. And only once she was safely locked inside did she drop her smile. While leaning against the door, Retta pulled out her phone and dialed the most frequently used number.

Hey, this is Kym. Please consider leaving a text rather than a message after the beep.

They’re getting married, Retta said to the robot recording her. I’m not bothered they’re doing it. I’m annoyed I didn’t see it coming. She hiccupped and picked at her chipping nail polish. I don’t know. I thought they’d eventually break up, and I wouldn’t have to see his face at every family event. Also, who announces their engagement at someone else’s—

The click on the other end of the line told her she’d exceeded her recording limit, and before she could leave another message, a knock sounded at the door.

One second, Retta said as she pressed her phone between her chin and chest while she washed her hands.

She exited the bathroom, and the reintroduction to the racket in the house made her stop short of the living room area. A dish of potpourri lay upturned on the floor from someone pushing the sofa into the side table, no doubt in an attempt to get closer to the golden couple.

Screw it.

Retta had carpooled with a family member, but she decided she’d grab her purse, say her goodbyes, and get an Uber home.

But during the second step of her escape plan, a shrill whistle drew everyone’s attention back to the center of the living room.

Irene’s father, a big man with broad shoulders and dark skin, whose voice and appearance were similar to Retta’s own father, joined the couple to say a few words.

Seeing no other option, Retta turned to listen.

It took you two a while to get together, but your souls were meant for each other. Look—he gestured between the three of them and the variations of blue they wore—you’re already dressing like part of the family.

A smattering of laughter followed.

Retta tempered down the impulse to roll her eyes at the concept of soul mates. Irene and Chris had probably met at a function like this one, talking around a punch bowl about the music playing or maybe laughing at a joke the other said.

She’d once read most people end up with a partner who lives in walking or driving distance from them. That information made relationships less ethereal and more about proximity and convenience.

As the speech progressed, Retta felt the subtle looks people in the room gave her. She knew what they might be searching for: a slight twitch in her face, a stiff smile, or maybe pure, unmitigated misery.

Would this be how the wedding would unfold for Retta if she had a lapse in judgment and decided to attend? Everyone waiting for her to uncharacteristically collapse across a church pew or brood in shadowy corners of the reception hall like some soap opera villainess?

After the speech ended and a round of cheers was lifted, Retta made her move toward the front door. She found her nephew, niece, and two of her cousin’s children playing with a balloon in the entryway.

Walking to the coat closet she asked, What game are we playing?

They all shrugged and continued to play, but her six-year-old niece, her brother’s daughter, rushed up to her and wrapped her arms around Retta. Do you think I can be a flower girl?

I don’t know, mama. You’ll have to ask Auntie Irene, Retta said as she tucked a few braids with beads on the end of them behind the child’s ear.

Are you going to the wedding? her nephew asked as he stretched his body out to catch the falling balloon.

Retta hesitated. She didn’t really need to be grilled by an eight-year-old on why she wouldn’t be attending this particular celebration, so she said, I like weddings. There’s cake, dancing—

Mommy says you won’t come, her niece said.

Hm?

Yeah, she says you’d be too sad because you like Auntie Irene’s boyfriend, her nephew added as he punted the balloon.

Retta tightly pressed her lips together. Obviously, the family news cycle had been slow, because she thought she’d stopped being the topic of gossip months ago. Maybe she could convince her cousin to get another face tattoo.

Poor Retta. Such a shame what happened.

The sentiment haunted her.

I thought you were leaving? her nephew asked as she chucked her coat back into the closet.

Nope, Retta said. I’ve changed my mind. The party just started.

Retta was acutely attuned to certain sounds. In eighth grade, it was the scrape of the cafeteria chairs positioned exactly five tables down, signaling her crush had left his seat. When she worked at a call center after high school, it was the short exhale a potential donor would release before they either hung up or cussed her out. And these days it was the tinkering, however minuscule, in her bakery.

The specificity and joys of working at Dutch Oven Bakeshop—the tranquility of early mornings and the smell of various doughs—had been diminished, however, by the stop-start rattling of their water heater. Considering how late she’d gotten home last night, the noise felt like a personal attack.

We can’t work in these conditions, one of her bakers, Philippa, said from her place near the ovens where she was scoring sourdough with a sharp blade.

Retta threw a little flour on her work surface. It’s temporary.

Omar, a pastry chef and the only man who worked at the bakery, snorted.

She’d been saying that for weeks since contacting her evasive landlord about the problem. It was now clear the refrain helped her from losing her mind more than it comforted her team.

I’m sorry. I know, I’m late. Cheyenne, their spring intern, burst through the swinging kitchen doors then. Her long braids and apron strings flying behind her. I had to park two blocks away.

That’s another problem, Omar said, pointing at Cheyenne. What are we doing about the parking?

Yes, Philippa said, crossing her heavily tattooed arms. Is that temporary too?

Retta sighed. The parking lot dedicated to the staff of businesses in the strip mall was where hierarchies were forged. Older businesses in the complex had premium spaces, while newer stores were left with the least desirable spots.

Dutch Oven had paid their dues for over a year, parking in a cramped area near a huge green garbage bin dubbed The Hulk. But when the spa next door had moved out, her bakeshop secured three roomy parking spaces. Well, at least they thought they had until Spotlight Boxing Studio started moving in next door three months ago.

Retta looked at her staff. I’ve been leaving Post-it notes on their windshields.

Okay, but it’s obviously not working, Philippa said over the clanking water heater.

A headache pressed aggressively against Retta’s temples. She briefly wondered if she’d find relief if she loosened the low bun she’d smoothed down with Eco-Styler gel and a prayer. When I have a moment, I’ll go over there and make an official request for them to stop parking in our spaces.

Eight times out of ten, she and her staff got their rightful spots because they were at the bakery before dawn, but she wanted to guarantee that would always be the case.

That comment appeased her staff, and they returned to their prep work until they opened Dutch’s doors at 7 a.m. The first few hours saw regulars picking up their pastries and tarts on their way to work.

Smells fantastic, as usual, Tamara, a receptionist at a realtor office nearby, said.

Thank you, Retta replied, letting the compliment seep into her soul. Also, you’ll be happy to know we’re bringing back the lavender lemonade in a few weeks.

The woman waved her hand in celebration before finishing off her transaction.

By midmorning, Retta had completed some admin work and made sure the glass cases were streak free.

Her best friend, Kym, found her at the front when she walked into the bakery, mindlessly rubbing her very pregnant belly.

Retta relieved her friend of her bag. Okay, dress. She gestured to her friend’s light pink outfit that complemented the lilac walls surrounding them.

"Thank you, but, girl," Kym said.

The heft of the word let Retta know her friend had things to say, and nothing would distract her.

Let me grab something, Kym said, retrieving her wallet and walking over to the front counter.

Kym was one of the few people in her life who insisted on paying for everything she ate in the bakery.

She returned with food and plopped down in her seat. Her curly hair bounced about before settling around her plump face. All right, so this crisis—

I wouldn’t call it a crisis per se, Retta said.

You left me a two-minute voice mail.

Yes, but I’ve had time to process it, and I’m fine now.

Kym studied her. Okay, say that again, but this time make me believe it.

I was caught off guard.

But other than that, you’re fine?

Yeah. Retta ran her fingers over the swirls that made up the white marble table. Their e-invitation arrived in my inbox this morning—

Kym snapped her fingers. Uh-uh. No. No. Don’t do that. Delete the e-invite and mute them on social media for the year. The wedding and honeymoon will come and go, and you won’t have to see a picture or hear a conversation about it.

Well…

Her friend froze with a croissant halfway to her mouth. You’re not going to the wedding, right?

She scrunched her round nose.

Retta.

She’s family.

Retta!

I have to.

Her friend made a sound between a sigh and a groan. "You have to eat. You have to drink water. You have to compliment me on my outfit every time you see me but—she leaned in as much as her belly would allow and lowered her voice—you don’t have to go to your cousin’s wedding. Especially when she’s marrying your ex-boyfriend."

When she spelled out her situation, the right choice seemed obvious.

The thing is, I don’t want to seem bothered, Retta said.

You left me a two-minute voice mail, her friend repeated.

As I said, I was in shock.

Okay, fine. But listen, the way he dumped you and moved on so quickly? No one would blame you for not showing up. You can’t tell me attending that wedding will be the best use of your time.

Retta leaned back in her seat. You want the truth?

Always, her friend replied.

This wedding is my chance to finally show my family, show him, I’m not wilting or defeated.

With a breakup and career setback happening around the same time, Retta couldn’t be around her family, even a year later, without receiving a concerned hand on her shoulder or generic encouragement.

And it wasn’t for a lack of trying to appear jovial. She’d muted her feelings from the start. The last thing she’d wanted to do was give everyone access to her hurt, her vulnerability. Only a few people in her life knew how shaken she’d been by the back-to-back disappointments. And she intended to keep it that way.

Her friend studied her. So, you’re going to the wedding?

I’m going to the wedding.

Fine, Kym said, with a loud clap. I’ll book time off.

It’s out of town, and the timing won’t work, Retta said, looking at her friend’s stomach.

Yeah, I guess slipping on my own amniotic fluid wouldn’t look great in pictures. Solo then?

Absolutely not. I need a date.

It was a conclusion Retta had come to before passing out for the night. Showing up to her ex’s wedding alone seemed like it would be as enjoyable as stubbing her toe on the corner of her bed. And what said, I’m not pressed; I’ve moved on like a new boyfriend? It didn’t matter if she had because perception wasn’t held back by the truth.

Oh? Kym asked.

Yeah, why not?

Kym pursed her lips and nodded. If you need me to set you up, I know someone you might like.

So, you’ve been holding out on me? Retta asked, squinting.

You know good and damn well whenever I bring up dating, you talk about your busy schedule and your working vibrator, Kym said, mouthing the last word.

Okay, well, Retta said, adjusting her glasses. "I’ve been thinking for weeks about

Reviews for Make a Scene

[Cynthia Muzi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Super cute boo loved this so much got me out there

[Jemina Linnama · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A lovely, quick read. Predictable, of course, it's a fake-dating story after all, but something in their chemistry and honesty was refreshing.

Retta's grandma was absolutely amazing!

[Sienna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this one. Was smiling through out the couples story.

[Amanda Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so good. A great read. Ducan's sister's book is next with Anthony, his best friend/business partner. I hope That Retta's fashionista friend gets a book as well. She seems like she has a lot going on in her life, so I hope she slows down and finds love. 10 out of 10 would recommend