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10
Reminder: No Benefits
Oliver
I haven’t lived with a roommate since I was in college. I have never lived with a woman before. Now I am doing both.
The first few days after I moved in with Charlotte were awkward as she did her best to make me feel at home while I did my best to not get in her way. In fact, for the most part, I tried to avoid her, so she didn’t feel put out. I didn’t want to ruin her routine or make her feel uncomfortable.
But when Theo confirmed his gathering for the following weekend, in which case Charlotte and I would be able to practice being engaged, I realized we would need to spend some time together.
Tonight, I have dinner ready for her when she gets back from work since my day ended early.
“What is this?” she asks.
“It’s dinner. I figured maybe it was time we spent a little time together since we’ll have to start acting soon.”
I don’t like the look of discomfort on her angelic face as I set the meal of pasta and salad on the table. I hope she eats pasta, as I remember that many women don’t anymore.
She sits down, putting the napkin in her lap as I pour her a glass of red wine.
“Did you have a good day at work, dear?” I ask, slipping into my role while at the same time hoping she found some humor in it.
Her lips twitch up slightly. “It was the usual. But, in some ways, it was better because I didn’t have my financial issues in the back of my mind.”
I sit and hold up my wine glass to clink with hers. “I’m happy to hear that.”
“How was your day…dear,” she asks and then laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“Terms of endearment can sound weird.”
I concede that it’s true when it’s not authentic. So I scan my brain for something that would be genuine, but I’m not sure she’d like me calling her beautiful.
“But how was your day?” she asks again.
“I found a place willing to let me do some volunteer work. They have a smile program with kids from around the world who come here for cleft palate and lip surgery.” I shrug. “I guess they’re more likely to ignore my history since I’m working for free.” More likely, they hadn’t heard about my past. My nemesis is most likely focused on contacting clinics I want to work at.
“It’s a good thing,” Madeline says, digging into her pasta.
The small talk breaks the ice, and we chat like we did at the Halloween party. It seems to me that being like this is the answer. We don’t have to worry about putting on a show. We simply need to be friendly.
* * *
On the nightof Theo’s party, I’m still hoping that simply being friendly is the answer to pulling this fake engagement off. Our event with potential employers is coming up, and I want to ensure they see me as a settled, solid candidate for hire.
I finish straightening my tie and check myself in the mirror, deciding I look alright. I make my way out to the living area. Charlotte is still getting ready in her room, so to settle my nerves, I pour myself a finger of scotch. I’ve just downed the drink when her door opens, and she emerges.
Holy smokes, she looks fantastic. Her hair is done up in soft curls that my fingers itch to touch, so I put my hands in my pockets. Her dress is a lovely shade of violet, and while it doesn’t reveal much skin, it hugs her body in a way that makes me want to peel it off and rediscover her curves.
I clear my throat, hoping that she won’t hear the effect she has on me when I speak. “Are you ready?”
She nods, gnawing lightly on her bottom lip, a quirk I’ve learned she does when she’s nervous.
“Are you nervous about being at a party at Theo’s or about pretending to be engaged to me?” I ask.
She gives me a sheepish smile. “A little of both, I guess. I know Theo and Madeline from being around here in the building, and I know they’re big movie stars, but for me, they’re just my neighbors. But now I’m entering their world of celebrities, and that’s a little nerve-racking.”
