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“So, does that mean you really don’t have plans for the holidays?”
I squirm a little in my seat, my hand still wrapped around my coffee. “Are you asking me to join you in Hawaii as your fake girlfriend?”
He smirks, leaning closer. “If I was, what would you say?”
“I’d say you were mental.”
“I’m not hearing a ‘no’.”
I stop mid sip and lower my cup. The warmth of my coffee wafts up my face, filling my nostrils with the sweet chocolate aroma. He’s right. I haven’t said I wouldn’t join him. It’s a crazy idea. And unlike him, I am not a crazy person. But I haven’t been on a vacation in years. Whenever I’m forced to use my vacation days, I usually spend them at home where I live with two coworkers. Maybe it would be good for me to get away, especially during the holidays. Maybe this year I didn’t have to be alone sharing snacks with my roommate’s cat, Mr. Whiskers.
“Cate?”
His voice draws me back to the present moment and I know I’ve been staring off into the distance, looking like a lost child.
“If I do this, I have three conditions.” I hear myself say and before I can retract, he sets his mug down and nods.
“Name your terms.”
Hell. I guess I’m doing this.
“One. You pay for the entire trip.”
“Done,” he says without missing a beat. “Next.”
“Two,” I fumble the word and tap my fingers against my mug to steady my nerves. “Separate hotel rooms.”
He pauses at this request but after gulping down another sip of his boring and unimaginative plain, black coffee, he nods. “Agreed. And your last condition?”
I should say something funny like,don’t fall in love with me, like they do in all romantic comedies, but I stop myself. He might not find that as humorous as I do.
“Three,” I continue. “Some of my coworkers are throwing a formal New Year’s Eve party. I need a date.”
Theo seems to be mulling this request over carefully. Why, I don’t know. He scratches that perfect, stubbled jaw of his and then asks, “Will I be pretending to be your boyfriend or just going as your date?”
This catches me off guard. “Why does that matter?”
“Do I need to be affectionate? Am I just there to keep you company? Am I your designated driver so you can get wasted off your ass? Are you trying to make someone jealous?” He rattles the questions off so quickly that I hope he doesn’t see my body tense at the real reason.
“I didn’t think it would matter.” I manage to spit out. I feel my cheeks burning and take another sip of my drink to mask my face.
“It’s right after my brother’s Christmas wedding weekend.” He crosses one of his long legs across his lap. “I guess I was wondering if we were going to continue to fake date through the rest of the year.”
I squint my eyes at him. “You mean, do I expect you to go with me so I have someone to kiss at midnight?”
Theo is clearly taken aback when his eyes widen. I’ve clearly misread this situation and wish I could take every spiteful word back.
“Is that what you want me to do?” He asks, his voice raspy.
“Oh, God, no!”
He furrows his brow, “Don’t sound too repulsed there, Cate.”
“I’m sorry,” I rub my temples in a small circular motion. “It’s not that you’re ugly or something…”
“Well, I’d hope not.” I look up at him when I hear him chuckle softly. The playfulness in his eyes seems to calm me enough to take a breath. “So, what’s the reason you need a date for this party?”
I’m not offended he’s curious. I’m just embarrassed to have to admit it out loud.
