lottie twirled the cheap ring between her fingers under the table, eyes sparkling with mischief. “ready?” she whispered, nudging yout foot. you grin, playing along with a theatrical gasp.

“oh my god,” you say just loud enough for the nearby tables to hear, as lottie slid the ring onto you finger with mock-serious reverence. “i can’t believe this is happening!”

a couple at the next table clapped politely. a waiter rushed over, eyes wide. “did you two just get engaged?”

lottie beamed. “just now,” she said, squeezing your hand. “we’ve been together forever. she’s the love of my life.”

you lean your head on lottie’s shoulder, trying not to laugh. “i said yes the moment she knelt down. how could i not?”

within minutes, a slice of chocolate cake appeared, “on the house,” with “congrats!” scrawled in syrup. you and lottie toasted with stolen sips of sparkling water.

“you’re a menace,” you whisper, fork halfway to your mouth. “a menace who got you free dessert from a fake engagement,” lottie replied, smug.

both girls were glowing like the scenerio was real, and maybe someday: it might be.