The awkward silence stretches between us, causing him to back track.
“Ellie, I’m so sorry. That was such a bad idea, and I didn’t mean to spring it on you. I just figured that maybe it would be helpful for you, so creepy guys would stop bugging you at work.It also would mean that I wouldn’t have to admit to lying to my new boss, but—” He starts to mumble and trail off. “Oh god, I’m sorry. Just pretend like this never happened. I’ll figure out some other way to make this right, just give me some time.”
Patrick starts to stand up from his chair to leave, but this time I’m the one who reaches for his hand.
“Please don’t go,” I say, urging him to sit. “I just need a second to think.”
He gives me a look of concern and lowers himself back into his chair while I remain silent for what feels like an eternity but is probably more like a minute. If I wasn’t trying to process all of this, my mind would be on how cute Patrick looks when he apologizes.
Locking eyes with me again, his concern has shifted to fear. Of what I might say? Of what Greg would do if he found out the truth? I wish I knew.
He pushes his messy hair out of his face—the first suggestion of a nervous tick— and the newly unobstructed view of his face leaves me breathless. His jaw is covered in a light layer of stubble that I didn’t notice before, but it adds to his messy weekend look.
It’s obvious by the way he’s looking at me that he cares about me not getting in trouble, and by the way he reacted yesterday, he definitely wouldn’t want Greg coming back to bother me once he finds out I’m single and a liar.
Idon’t want Greg coming back here once he finds out I’m single anda liar.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Now he’s the one looking shocked. “Okay as in you’ll give me some time to figure this out, or okay as in you’ll fake date me?”
“Okay, I’ll fake date you.” Patrick’s demeanor instantly shifts, and all of the weight that had been burdening him has lifted off of his shoulders.
While nervousness sinks heavy in my stomach, there's also an intermingling of excitement. It’s been a long time since I’ve dated anyone in any capacity, but when I think about it, this is truly the best scenario until we can find the time to plan a long term solution to the Greg issue.
The silence fills in around us, but it lacks the discomfort from before. I’ve agreed to this crazy idea, but there needs to be more formality than just agreeing to be Patrick’s fake girlfriend.
“We’ll need to set some ground rules,” I blurt out.
Patrick nods in agreement. “I was thinking the same thing. We should make sure that we are both on the same page about everything.”
Being so focused on our conversation, I had completely forgotten the environment around us. There is still a line at the register seven people deep, and the hustle and bustle of coffee shop activities has not stopped since I sat down. Behind the bar, Lily churns out orders at an impressive rate, but my attention should be on Patrick.
As I turn my head back, he is still watching me, and a familiar sense of insecurity spills through the cracks in my mind. It makes me question why anyone like Patrick would want to be associated with me. Pushing down the thought, I ask the only question I can think of that gets me out of this conversation assoon as possible. “Would I be able to take some time to think about all of this, and we can talk later?”
His words lack any sort of judgement, and he gives a small nod. “Of course, Ellie. Take all the time you need.”
A sudden pain causes me to break my eye contact with Patrick and look down at my fingers, which are now smeared with blood from my excessive picking.
Chapter 6
Ellie
Therewasanexchangingof phone numbers before we left The Brew, and we agreed that we should meet up again in person to talk about the details. Having this conversation seemed like something that should be done in the privacy of one's home, so we arranged to meet up at Patrick’s house on Sunday night at 6. It was smart to take some time alone to think this through and come up with our own terms, but as I watched him leave The Brew, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was going to regret agreeing to this.
It’s been over twenty-four hours since then, and I’m undoubtedly committed to continuing with the plan—if Patrick still wants to. Turns out having a fake boyfriend for a while would be beneficial to me in more ways than just keeping the creepy men at work at bay. I am naturally an introvert and always have been, so this should be a good excuse to bail on plans without all of the annoying questions.
When I do too much, I need time to recharge, and if I’m with other people, I can’t do that. It probably wouldn’t be as bad if I didn’t work a job that requires constant human interaction, but I do love my job—and I’m good at it. Also, if I canput on an act for the customers at The Brew, how hard can it be to be a fake girlfriend?
My mind starts to wander off again until I feel a buzz in my pocket.
Patrick:349 Sycamore Ct. Walford, VA
Patrick:6 still work for you?
Ellie:Yep! see you then!
When I put his address in the GPS app on my phone, I find out that Patrick only lives fifteen minutes away. That gives me about forty-five minutes to get ready, which is more than enough time. My plaid pajama shorts and oversized t-shirt stare back at me in the mirror, and I determine that there needs to be at least some effort to not look like a potato.
