Page 124 of Hurry Up And Wait
“So, tell her that,” Eli shrugged. “She knows your father. Explain that he’s a douchebag and set this whole thing up.”
“But I didn’t tell her,” I argued.
Eli gave me a pointed look. “Didn’t I tell you to tell her?”
I winced, turning away from him as I began pacing again. “Maybe she’ll find the whole thing funny.”
Red snorted. “Yeah, I would find that funny too.Hey, baby. I know we slept together, but I have to pretend to be engaged for the foreseeable future. Oh, and I might have to kiss her. But it means nothing, and you have nothing to worry about. Oh, and by the way, this has been going on for over a month. I just didn’t tell you because I’m an asshole.I don’t see why she wouldn’t find that funny.”
“So funny, she might even punch him in the face for it,” Eli added.
“Shit.”
“Bradford,” Olivia called out from the other room.
“Oh, look,Bradford. Your fake fiancée is calling you. Better run off and see what she needs.”
I flipped him off and headed for the kitchen. She was standing behind the counter with an apron on, arranging appetizers on a platter. When she looked up, her face slackened in shock.
“You’re not ready yet?”
“For what?”
“For the party. Bradford, don’t you remember? We’re holding a small gathering for your father.”
I ground my teeth at the usage of the senator as my father. She knew I didn’t want her to say it, but she still did. She hurried around the counter, her heels clacking on the tile as she wiped off her hands on a towel.
“We only have an hour.”
I sighed heavily. “How many people?”
“Just ten or so. It’s a small gathering.”
I glanced at the counter, then back to her. “Are you making all the food?”
“Well, of course,” she chuckled. “Who else would do it?”
“I thought you would hire a caterer or something?”
She smiled coquettishly. “I want to make a good impression. Besides, I like to cook.”
She raised her hand, brushing her fingers through my hair. “You should really shower. You look a little disheveled.”
I cleared my throat, stepping back from her touch. She was playing the part of my fiancée a little too well. “Olivia, I need you to remember that we’re not together.”
“I know that,” she whispered, dropping her gaze.
“All of this…” I said, motioning around the kitchen. “This is all for show. None of it’s real.”
“I know. I just…I get lost in my part sometimes.” Her eyes finally met mine. “You’re a good man, Bradford. I see that. I just wish you could, too.”
Confused, I didn’t say anything as she backed away and went back to preparing the food. Why would I think I wasn’t a good man? I wasn’t the man for her, but I knew deep down that I was a good person.
In the end, it didn’t really matter what she thought. I was only here to do a job, and that included playing the part of her fiancé for the night. I would do my part and ensure all of my father’s closest supporters believed the lie. Not to help him, but because I had an idea about how to turn the tides in my direction and end this entire fiasco.
I headed back out to the living room and jerked my head at theguys, motioning for them to follow me to my room.Theirroom. They’d basically taken over, but then we slept in shifts, so it didn’t really matter.
“I forgot about this fucking dinner tonight.”