Page 26 of My Favorite Holidate
“Yes, Josie. It was real ice cream,” I say firmly. I stare her down, and she gives it right back to me, staring hard like she’s waiting for some reaction. Like I’ll connect the dots then be over the moon with glee.
She’ll be waiting a long time. I’m a realist.
“Wilder is a strategic man,” I say. “He knows how to get things done. Yes, the ice cream was amazing, but he also knows how to play the game.”
“The fake dating game?”
“Any game,” I emphasize. Then I shrug, lightening my tone. “Besides, his assistant probably sent it. It was nice, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
“It means he listened to you,” she points out thoughtfully.
As her observation sinks in, there’s a tiny flutter in my chest. A warm and lovely feeling that only lasts a second, maybe three or four. But I don’t linger on it. This faux-mance isn’t about flutters and feelings. It’s about faking it and faking it well.
“As I was saying,” I say, grabbing control of the conversation. “I need to look like I belong on a date with him.”
She laughs, but it’s with me, not at me. It’s reassuring as she says, “He askedyouto be his wedding date.”
“Hisfakewedding date,” I remind her.
“Yes, but out of all the women in San Francisco, he asked you. Because he likes you.”
I bark out a laugh, then shake my head fiercely. “He asked me because he feels sorry for me. He has a hero complex, and he needs a shield.”
She gives me a look with those soft blue eyes. “He might need a shield, but he also likes you.”
The last thing I need is for that idea to take root in my head. “This is ayou scratch my back, I’ll scratch yourssituationship.”
Although, it’s not really an even trade. Does Wilder…feel sorry for me? Is that why he offered to be my fake date for the Christmas Eve wedding? Maybe I can subtly determine an answer to that question tonight.
“Besides, I have loans to pay off, a dream I’m saving up for, and a job I like. I’m not interested in dating my boss,” I finish, back on the topic. “I’m not really even interested in dating, given how my last relationship ended.”
“All that may be true but he wouldn’t want to spend all this time with you if he didn’t enjoy your company.”
I hold out my hands, confused. “What does that have to do with what to wear?”
She cups her mouth and raises her voice. “Get out of the fancy business-lady skirt and put on a short skirt and some cute boots. Dress like you. Be you.”
And…she’s really, truly, absolutely right. I’m faking being a girlfriend. I don’t want to fake being me.
Taking her advice, I hustle to my bedroom and grab a short white skirt and a pair of cute, lace-up ankle boots. “By the way,” Josie calls out, “I finally got us into that paint-and-sip class.”
“Ooh! The one with the teacher who can supposedly teach us talent-less painters to paintanything?” I’ve been dying to take one of Rana’s classes. Maeve loves her.
“Yes. I had to sell both kidneys, but it’s worth it. Herclasses are booked for months. Rana had just enough room for the four of us.”
“Perfect. Your kidneys will go to a good cause,” I say.
I grab a necklace I designed from my jewelry case—silver, with a pair of bells on it. I return to the living room and hold my arms out wide.
“Yes,” she says, clapping like she’s in the audience at a Broadway musical. “You look like you. A fun, bold, confident designer. Now go.”
I leave, but I don’t let myself think Wilder asked me out for any other reason than I was in the right place at the right time.
But the ice cream was really good.
10
THIS STUPID ATTRACTION