THE SHIRTLESS CHEF IS MY FAKE BOYFRIEND

My fiancé was kissing my sister.

For a moment, I couldn't move.

I stood frozen in the doorway of my father's study, staring at Ian with his hands on Ruby's waist and my sister's lips pressed against his.

Behind them, the fire crackled in the fireplace, and Christmas music played faintly somewhere in the house.

Then the gift slipped from my fingers.

The black box hit the hardwood floor with a sharp thud.

Ian and Ruby sprang apart.

He turned toward me, the color draining from his face. Ruby stumbled backward, one hand flying to her mouth.

“Clara.”

Ian said my name quietly.

I looked from him to Ruby, then back at him.

Neither of them moved.

“Ian...” My voice caught in my throat. “What are you doing?”

He took a step toward me.

“Clara, please. Let me explain.”

I immediately stepped back.

“Don't come near me.”

He stopped, his hands falling to his sides.

Ruby stood beside the fireplace, avoiding my eyes.

I looked at her, waiting for her to say something. Anything.

“Ruby?”

She pressed her lips together but didn't answer.

“Look at me.”

Slowly, she raised her eyes.

“How could you?”

Her face tightened. She glanced at Ian, then looked away again.

“Clara, I...” she began.

But whatever she was about to say never came.

I shook my head and turned toward Ian.

“You were supposed to be with me.”

“I know.”

“We're getting married, Ian.”

“I know, Clara. I know.”

“Then why were you kissing my sister?”

He opened his mouth, but no answer came.

I glanced down at the gift lying on the floor between us. I'd spent the morning choosing it for him, carefully wrapping it and imagining him opening it.

Now it was sitting there, forgotten.

Ian followed my gaze.

“Clara, listen to me.”

I looked up.

“I never wanted you to find out like this.”

“Find out?”

My voice rose.

“That's what you have to say?”

He rubbed the back of his neck.

“It's not that simple.”

“Not that simple?” I repeated. “I walked in here and caught you kissing Ruby. What part of that isn't simple?”

Ruby shifted beside the fireplace.

“Clara, please.”

I turned toward her.

“Don't.”

She fell silent.

“Just don't.”

Ian moved closer again, but I raised my hand.

“Stay where you are.”

He stopped.

“You know what you mean to me,” he said.

I stared at him.

“Do I?”

“Of course you do.”

“Then look me in the eye and tell me why you were kissing her.”

His jaw tightened. For a moment, he looked at Ruby.

I noticed.

“Don't look at her,” I said. “I'm asking you.”

He turned back to me.

“I made a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

I let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“You think that's what this is?”

“Clara, I wasn't thinking.”

“You weren't thinking?” I repeated. “You were standing here with my sister, kissing her, and you weren't thinking?”

He lowered his eyes.

I crossed my arms, trying to steady myself.

“Was this the first time?”

Neither of them answered.

I looked at Ruby.

“Was it?”

She shook her head slightly, but I couldn't tell whether she was denying it or simply reacting to my question.

“Say something, Ruby.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I didn't mean for you to find out this way.”

I stared at her.

“That's what you're worried about? How I found out?”

“No. That's not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Ian stepped between us.

“Clara, please. Don't do this.”

I turned on him.

“Don't do what? Ask what happened? Ask why the two people I trusted most would do this to me?”

He looked down.

I wiped my cheek quickly, only then realizing that tears had started to fall.

“Did either of you even think about me?”

Ruby looked at me.

“Clara...”

“I'm your sister, Ruby.”

Her chin trembled.

“I know.”

“Do you?”

She lowered her eyes again.

I took a shaky breath and looked at Ian.

“And you. You're the man I'm supposed to marry.”

“I love you.”

I stared at him, then glanced at Ruby.

“Then what was that?”

He had no answer.

The sound of footsteps came from the hallway.

Mom called my name.

“Clara, honey? Is everything all right?”

I turned toward the door.

Ian glanced at Ruby, then back at me.

“Clara, don't say anything yet.”

I looked at him sharply.

“Excuse me?”

“Just give me a minute to explain.”

“Explain what? What am I supposed to tell them?”

Ruby took a small step forward.

“Maybe we should talk to them together.”

I turned toward her.

“Together?”

She stopped.

“After what I just saw, you think I want to stand here and talk about this with you?”

“Clara, I know you're upset.”

“Upset?” I repeated. “You have no idea.”

The footsteps drew closer.

Mom appeared to be just outside the study.

“Clara?”

I looked at the door, then at Ian and Ruby.

Neither of them seemed willing to move.

Dad's voice followed from the hallway.

“What's going on in there?”

I swallowed hard.

Ian looked toward the door.

Ruby wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.

The doorknob began to turn.

The silence in the study lasted only a few seconds before the door opened.

My parents rushed into the room.

Dad took one look at Ian and Ruby, and the shock on his face quickly turned to anger.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Ruby's eyes filled with tears. Her lipstick was still smeared from the kiss, and she looked at Dad like a frightened child.

“Daddy...”

Dad didn't even let her finish.

He pointed toward the door.

“Ian. Get out. Now!”

Ian stood there, frozen.

His eyes moved to me first.

For one brief moment, I waited for him to say something. Anything.

“Clara, I can explain.”

I stared at him.

“Explain what, Ian?”

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Dad stepped between us.

“You heard me. Get out of my house!”

Ian glanced at Ruby, then lowere