You’re in the kitchen, pretending to help your mom while really just waiting for him to arrive.

He’s exactly two minutes late—not that you’re counting—and when he walks in, he gives your mom the same polite smile he always does.

But when your mom turns her back to stir the pot, his fingers brush yours by the sink. Just a second. Just enough to say, I’m here. I missed you.

You roll your eyes at him, fighting a smile. He bites his lip to keep his own grin down, knowing full well how smug he looks.

You all sit down for dinner like it’s any other normal Friday. Your mom asks about school, your dad makes a lame joke, and he answers like a perfect gentleman. Everyone’s acting normal—except for the fact that under the table, his knee keeps bumping into yours on purpose.

Later, when you’re back upstairs with the door half-open (because rules), you sit on your floor surrounded by pillows and snacks, pretending to be totally into the movie playing on your laptop.

He doesn’t even care about the movie.

He’s just staring at you.

“Do you ever think we’re too good at lying?” you whisper, eyes still on the screen.

He grins. “No. I think we’re winning.”

“But like…” You glance at him. “Isn’t it weird? That no one suspects?”

He shifts closer until your shoulders touch. “They see what they want to see. And we give them exactly that.”

You stay quiet for a moment. Then he reaches out, fingers brushing your pinky.

“Besides,” he says, voice low, just for you, “your mom literally packs me extra lunch when you’re sick. I think she’s rooting for me.”

You burst out laughing, and he watches you like you’re his favorite sound in the world.

No one else knows. Your friends still tease you both, still call you the “married besties.” And you just smile and play along.

Because it’s your little secret.

And somehow, that makes it even sweeter.