As Lucas and Katelyn grabbed their bags and stepped out the door, a thick silence hung between them. The weight of their parents' unexpected announcement loomed over every step they took. Katelyn could barely keep her heart from racing, trying to decipher what Lucas was thinking. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught glimpses of his face—calm, but clearly lost in thought.

Katelyn cleared her throat nervously. “Umm... sorry about all that,” she muttered. “Can you believe our parents?”

She sneaked another glance at him, wondering if he was upset. Lucas walked steadily beside her, his eyes focused ahead, as if piecing his thoughts together.

“It’s okay,” Lucas finally said, his voice quiet. “I just... wasn’t expecting that kind of news. Are you mad about it?”

Katelyn’s heart skipped. “Not if you aren’t mad,” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lucas looked over at her and grinned—a grin that made Katelyn’s pulse quicken. “It’s okay with me... my fiancée.”

Katelyn’s eyes widened. “Wait... What did you just say?”

Lucas laughed softly. “I said, it’s okay with me, my fiancée.”

Her mind raced, trying to process what Lucas was saying. He couldn’t be serious, right? “So, are we really... I mean, are we actually going to be engaged?” Katelyn asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. “Do you even like me? We’ve only just met after all these years. Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re cute and all but—”

Lucas interrupted, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You think I’m cute?”

Katelyn froze, mortified. “Umm... Did I just say that out loud?”

Lucas chuckled, his smile widening. “Yes, you did.” He winked at her playfully. “And for the record, I think you’re cute too. So, let’s just go with it.” Without warning, he reached for her hand, his warm fingers intertwining with hers. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”

The moment Lucas’s hand touched hers, Katelyn felt her world come to a standstill. The warmth of his skin against hers sent shivers through her, and she blindly followed him, her mind a whirl of confusion and excitement.

“Okay,” she whispered, barely able to find her voice. “I guess we’re engaged then.”

Lucas nodded, his grin turning into the most gorgeous smile Katelyn had ever seen. She tried not to let herself melt under his gaze, but the reality of it hit her all at once. OMG, I have a fiancé, she thought, her heart pounding wildly. And it’s him. He’s holding my hand. Don’t freak out, Katie... just don’t freak out!

Meanwhile, Lucas was having a hard time keeping his own emotions in check. The moment he heard the engagement news over breakfast, his heart had practically soared. He’d been drawn to Katelyn the moment he saw her at school, and now, fate had played a hand he didn’t want to let go.

I can’t believe this is real, Lucas thought to himself, glancing at Katelyn as she walked beside him, looking completely lost in thought. I’m actually engaged to her.

He looked down at their joined hands, feeling a surge of happiness as her fingers rested against his. I’ve got to play this cool, he reminded himself. I can’t let her know how happy this makes me—she’d think I’m crazy. I’ll have to let her figure out how much I like her, slowly.

He stole another glance at Katelyn, who was blushing furiously, though she was trying to hide it. She’s so cute, he thought, smiling to himself.

As they neared the school, Lucas squeezed her hand gently, unwilling to let go. He knew they were walking into uncharted territory, but he also knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to let her slip away. The promise their parents had made years ago wasn’t just an old agreement to him. It was an opportunity, and he was determined to make sure Katelyn saw it too.

Katelyn, on the other hand, couldn’t stop thinking about how the day had started and where it was heading. The hand holding hers felt so secure, so right, even if it made her nervous to admit it. Is this really happening? she wondered as they stepped onto the school grounds.

She glanced up at Lucas, her so-called fiancé, and found him smiling to himself, as if everything had fallen into place exactly as it should. And for the first time, Katelyn began to wonder if maybe—just maybe—this engagement might not be as crazy as it seemed.