She just wouldn’t quit. Why was she so interested in getting to know me? I’ve already made it perfectly clear that we weren’t going to happen. So why wasn’t I saying no? Why was I actually thinking about her offer? Was I really that desperate to get a date to this wedding?
“You aren’t saying no, though. Let me buy you dinner and we can talk more about it tonight?”
I groaned. I wasn’t getting out of this, was I? It wasn’t like she was terrible company. And besides, a free dinner couldn’t hurt. She already knew it wouldn’t go farther than that, so why was I so nervous? I didn’t know much about her, but I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about her trying something she knew I didn’t want.
After a few more seconds of deliberating with myself, I agreed. “Fine. Dinner tonight, but I’m picking the restaurant.”
She smiled. “Still like to be in charge, huh? I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
Those were the wrong words to use. My brain knew exactly what she meant. My body? Didn’t get the memo. Something got lost in translation between my brain and my body.Cool down! There is nothing here for you to get worked up over!
I steadied myself and sat at my desk, pretending I had a dozen other things to be doing. In reality, I didn’t. I just needed her to leave. The air in my office was getting too hot. “Have Eloise give you my number before you leave.”
She smiled and left without a word. I had a feeling I was going to regret agreeing to go out with her.
Ten minutes later, Eloise came bouncing into my office like she was on a pogo stick. “You’re awfully chipper for this early in the day. What’s wrong?”
“So, Vera just asked for your number, and I gave it to her. Don’t kill me.”
I groaned. “I know, I told her to get it from you. Relax, you’re safe.”
“What the hell did I miss? Is she really going to the wedding with you?”
“That was a bold ass move on her part. We’re going to dinner tonight to talk about it, but I don’t think I’m going to agree.”
“Are you crazy? Have you seen her? And she seems to be pretty into you. You’d be a fool to say no.”
“You know she’s not my type. I’ve never dated anyone that wasn’t femme. Beyond that, we are so different.”
“Thats not a bad thing. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone. Look how well dating only your type has worked out. And if she wasn’t your type, why’d you sleep together, besides the obvious physical reason.”
I rolled my eyes. “We were drinking. Not enough to not consent, so I guess that’s not an excuse. I don’t know, I guess there was something there that night. I was tired of failed date after failed date and wanted to forget everything. She helped me forget.”
“So, let her help you forget again. Besides, it’s just one night, and all you have to do is drink and dance together, if that. It’s not like you have to actually date her.”
“Well, that’s the thing. With her hand on my waist?—”
“Which was so hot, by the way!”
I groaned and went on. “With her hand on my waist… she kind of implied to Blair that we were dating, so if I agree, we’d have to pretend to be a couple”
“Does she repulse you? That was a dumb question, you couldn’t stop drooling over her. I think you are in your head way too much about this. Respectfully, as your assistant and friend, of course. It’s called fake dating for a reason, it’s not real. You don’t have to do anything but maybe hug or share a peck or two. Considering you’ve done a lot more than that, I think you’ll be fine.”
“I was not drooling! But I don’t know, El. Do you really think we could pull it off? What if Blair and Drea find out we aren’t really dating? The way I handled their dating, they’ll kill me. I don’t want to lie to them. They know we would never actually be together.”
“They won’t kill you, first of all. They just want you to be happy. And you aren’t lying, not really. If you were saying you’re in love, then yeah, maybe, but you aren’t. You’re saying she’s your date to the wedding, which she is. They don’t need to know you’re not actually dating. Then, after the wedding, it’ll all be forgotten.”
“I don’t know, maybe. I’m going to leave early today. You can take the rest of the day off, too.”
“Damn, I like Vera already if we’re not working as hard.”
“Don’t make me change my mind.”
“Sorry. Thank you. Enjoy your date.”
“It’s not a date!” I yelled. It wasn’t a date.
Chapter Nine
