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“Fakegirlfriend?”Irepeatas I toss the idea around. “What does that entail?”
“The first main event will be the charity dinner my mom is working on for the local animal shelter. Dinner, silent auction, some speakers, and that kind of thing. It’s not the best time you’ll ever have, but the food will be good and there’s an open bar.” Kyle grins and I wonder how much I’ll need the bar dealing with his parents alone. “Apart from that, we’ll do dinners out intending to be seen and just get the word out there.”
“But we’re not really dating?” I ask, feeling a pang of something in my stomach. Of course, we’re not.
“No. I don’t expect anything out of you apart from public appearances. I’ve just had it with this marriage plan my mother has for me.” Kyle looks at me with a question in his eyes. “That is, unless you’re dating Eli now.”
“You saw me at the restaurant?” I ask as he nods slowly. “We’re not. That was just a friend’s dinner and nothing more.” Why did I feel the need to make sure he knows that? I shake my head and laugh. “Will that look bad at work?”
“Us?” Kyle asks, and I nod. “I don’t think so. We’re old friends that go way back and I’m not your immediate boss. I’ll make a point of not showing you any special treatment and handle anything that comes your way.”
“Your parents won’t hate it?” I press, frowning.
“They never disliked you, Laina. I mean, they didn’t know you well and should appreciate the number of times your mom fed me, to be honest. At this point, I just need a break.” He shrugs and glances up as someone calls his name.
I’ll give Kyle credit. This place is low-key and casual. In my mind, it’s perfect for lunch. I watch as he goes to get the tray and brings our seafood platters over.
“That looks amazing,” I tell him, looking at the generous portion of food.
“It’s good. One of my secrets.” Kyle smiles fondly as he looks around, then meets my eyes. “How do you feel about my idea?”
“I think I’m good with it. It’s no different from hanging out like this, right? Just in better clothes?” I wrinkle my nose as he leans his head back to laugh.
“That’s a great way of looking at it. I’ll make sure you get to a store for a dress for the occasion of your choice.” Kyle offers as I gasp. “I owe you, Laina. You’re doing me a huge favor.”
“Let me get used to that idea.” I reach for a French fry and chew thoughtfully, knowing I shouldn’t spend that kind of money on a dress. I’m not the billionaire though I don’t like the idea of Kyle spending money on me, either. “You said we have two weeks?”
“Yes. Don’t wait too long.”
We finish walking around the market and then Kyle takes me to an amazing garden with a glass display. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I take a million pictures of everything as I keep obsessing about what he asked me to do. We take a couple of hours to walk around and then Kyle takes me to a wall of chewed-up gum.
“Seattle is interesting.” I tell him as we walk down the street.
“It is. I like it here and I think you will too.” Kyle smiles down at me and I look at him, thinking how handsome he is.
“So, you haven’t met someone on your own that you like?” Kyle sighs as I ask him.
“I haven’t. I’ve dated on my own without the help of my mom, but nothing clicked with me. I want… that connection with someone where I can feel natural. Nothing about these women does anything for me, and that my mom thinks I should marry them is crazy.” Kyle throws his hands in the air.
“How far does this thing with us need to go, Kyle?” I ask as he looks at me.
“You’ll be my date to the charity event to start and mingle with me. I’ll make some introductions and your name will get around. Hopefully, Mom will accept it and leave me alone for the rest of my life.” Kyle explains, turning down a street where I saw an outdoor market set up.
“Look at that!”
“Let’s go.” Kyle leads the way, and I take in all the fresh fruit and vegetables. There are even flowers for sale, and I smile as I pick up a bouquet of colorful tulips and check the price.
“These are my favorite flowers,” I admit, as Kyle smiles at me.
“I’ll get them for you.” He tucks them under his arm after he pays for them as I smile, and we make our way through the market.
We find some fruit and vegetables to buy by the time we reach the last vendor and have decided who is paying as we went. I don’t want him paying for my things, even if we’re faking a date. I make good money myself and while he’s probably accustomed to women with their hands out, that is not who I am.
We arrive back at his car, and I give him a grateful smile. “This was so fun, Kyle. I don’t want it to end.” I glance at my watch to see that it’s late in the afternoon and we both have work the following day.
“Early dinner? There’s still time to get ready for the week,” he suggests, and I nod, agreeing if I can buy the meal.
We pick a steak house this time and I look around the room, lit dimly with lights and candles. The room is full of people enjoying meals together and I can see the water through the window.
