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“Do I sound like I’m kidding?”
What the hell? I thought having a date to the wedding in January would have her ecstatic over the holidays but nope.
“I have a date for the wedding, isn’t that good?”
“You’re graduating from college soon. You need to start taking dating seriously. Date a guy over the holiday break, bring another one to the wedding. I don’t care. I’ve been patient long enough. Goodbye Everleigh.”
When the phone hangs up, I’m left staring at it.
Jeez, what the hell was all that about?
Classes end next week but I’m not heading home until the beginning of the following week. How could she expect me to find someone in such a short period of time?
Just use Landon. Ask him to be your fake boyfriend.
I tap on my chin as the idea formulates. I could ask Landon to be my fake boyfriend as far as my parents go, and I’ll still take him to the wedding, which will make everything look even more official.
If my parents think I have an actual boyfriend, I’m sure they’ll leave me alone. The dating profile text messages will finally stop.
But will Landon want to?
The boundaries will remain the same. And once we graduate, this will all be in the past. He won’t need me for frat dates anymore and I’ll just tell my parents we broke up. Simple.
As long as no feelings sneak up, it’ll all be smooth sailing. Easy enough.
Finals are over and tonight is the frat house’s annual Christmas party. This one isn’t like the Halloween party where anyone is invited. Tonight it’s on the frat brothers and their plus one.
The dress code is formal once again, but this time, I have a holiday dress I can wear. It’s a short form fitting red strapless satin dress with a dark green lace overlay on top. I wore it to a previous Christmas party and kept it hanging in my closet for whenever the occasion may arise. I pair it with a black shrug, black heels, and a black sequin purse. With my hair down in long curls, my eyes dark and smoky and my lips cherry red, I gold hoops and a gold necklace with a candy cane pendant.
Tonight I’m meeting Landon there, as he said they needed help setting up. I plan on asking him about the boyfriend idea. If he agrees, I want to snap a picture of the two of us and send it to my mom. Bella thought it was perfect when I filled her in earlier.
The best part of going home in a few days is seeing her. I’ve missed her so much.
I request an Uber on my phone, text Landon that I’m on my way, and head out the door. I’m not walking in these heels plus it’s chilly at night now that it’s December.
While I’m riding in the car, my mind sifts through memories of the past couple of months. Hanging out with Landon has become fun, and while we still tease and flirt, we never take it any further. Len swears up and down he likes me more than he says he does, and that she doubts he’s still hooking up with other girls. But who knows. It doesn’t matter.
But it does matter, doesn’t it?
Because you’re starting to like him. That crush you always had? It was nothing compared to these real feelings.
No. No, I’m not feeling anything. I refuse to believe it. We’re just enjoying each other’s company- is that such a bad thing? Why be miserable on our dates together?
Is the sexual chemistry between us gone? No, I wish. But neither one of us acts on it, and that’s what matters most. I let my guard down the night we had drunken sex and I’ve beat myself up over it ever since. I won’t let it happen again.
When the Uber pulls up in front of the house, I almost don’t recognize it. It’s decked out in lights, with a few blow up decorations in the front yard. It’s got that nice Christmas feel to it with a slight touch of messy boy vibes.
Inside, it’s warm and smells like cinnamon and cookies. It reminds me of Christmas morning at home. As good as my mom is at nagging, she’s just as good at baking. Her Christmas cookies are delicious and always taste the same year after year.
I find Landon in the kitchen where he usually is, whipping up his latest drink idea. His face lights up when he sees me and I ignore the way it makes my stomach somersault. “Pookie bear! There you are! Looking beautiful as always.”
Always the charmer he is, except for that damn nickname. It’s kind of stuck since the Halloween party but I’ll never admit it’s grown on me. “Thanks. Your tux looks good.”
“Of course it does.” He winks. “Get over here. I need you to try my holiday special.”
“Do I get to know what’s in it or is it a surprise?”
“A surprise.” He sets down a cup and I watch as he dips the rim in caramel and then a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. I only know because I’ve seen him do this before. He then strains a reddish brown liquid into the cup, tops it with an apple slice, and hands it to me.
