Page 10 of The Status Situation

I swallow hard as I slowly close the distance between us. I take as much time as I can because I’m also trying to figure out what I’m going to say to the guy. I know I have to take responsibility for my actions and apologize profusely, but I don’t think I have to go into great detail when it comes to the why. A brief explanation should be all that’s needed. I owe him at least that much for dragging him into this.

I am three feet away when I force myself to meet his eyes again. But when I realize that he’s slowly scanning my body, essentially checking me out, my cheeks flame, and I pull my bottom lip in between my teeth as I try to focus on a spot just over his left shoulder. I don’t want to see his disgust or disappointment.

“Hey, baby,” his deep, smoky voice says suddenly when I finally reach them.

My gaze instinctively snaps back to his just as he leans over the counter, grasps the back of my neck, and pulls me to him. My mind short-circuits when his mouth crashes against mine, and my eyebrows shoot up into my hairline. What the hell is happening right now? Did I actually fall and hit my head when Darius shoved me? There is literally no reason for him to be kissing me right now.

Holy shit. My fake social media boyfriend is kissing me.

“Well, alrighty then,” I hear Darius gasp from somewhere behind me. “I’ll just… go exist somewhere that’s not here.”

Mark pulls back slightly, a small smile on his face as he brushes his thumb along my bottom lip. The kiss was short, sweet, but still hot enough to leave me breathless. And he didn’t even use tongue!

“Sorry,” He murmurs. “I know you like to keep things professional at work, but I missed you today.”

I blink, still trying to figure out what is going on.

His hand slides from my neck, down my arm, to my hand, which he takes in his as he turns to the man standing next to us. “See? Told you she was really my girl.”

The guy is looking between the two of us, his eyes alight with humor. “You sure about that?” He laughs. “Your ‘so-called’ girl looks like she’s about to pass out.”

“Nah, she’s just shy,” Mark replies coolly before looking back at me. “Ain't that right, baby?”

He squeezes my hand twice, obviously trying to get my attention. When I meet his intense gaze, he mouths: You owe me, so that only I can see it.

He’s right. I used him for my own personal gain, or at least, I used his name and status on social media. The least I can do is go along with whatever this is.

I chance a look back at where Darius had been earlier, but I don’t see him anywhere. He must have gone into the back. So, at least he’s not out here to watch me make a fool of myself.

I give Mark’s friend a shy smile. I’m sure the fact that my face is beet red from my current embarrassment is helping to sell it, too. “Yeah, sorry. It’s something I’m working on.”

“So, you guys are actually together then?” he asks, still obviously skeptical.

Both Mark and I nod. Because I still don’t have a handle on the situation, I am just following Mark’s lead at this point.

“Maria, this is my friend, Sean. He works with me at the insurance company,” Mark states. “Sean, this is my girlfriend Maria, and the reason I will not be going with you to the damn strip club tonight.”

“Nice to finally meet you,” I say instinctively, holding out my hand. “Mark talks about you all the time.”

Sean takes my hand but shakes his head. “I don’t get it. I gave you so much shit yesterday, man. Why didn’t you say anything then? And why haven’t I heard a single thing about her?”

“Because my personal relationships are no one else’s business,” Mark tells him firmly.

“Yeah, but I’m your friend. You always tell me who you are banging,” Sean retorts. “Or you are supposed to. No offense.” The last part is directed at me, the first thing he’s said to me directly.

Mark’s jaw is clenching so hard I can practically hear his teeth grinding together. “No, I don’t,” he nearly growls at the same time I say: “That’s my fault.”

Both men turn to me, and my stomach does a weird flip. I have no idea what I’m doing; I am winging all of this, and I have never been good at improvising. Especially while hungover. Though it’s funny how my hangover hasn’t bothered me once since Mark showed up.

I shift uncomfortably and push a bit of hair back behind my ear. “Look, I think we can all agree that I’m not Mark’s usual type,” I begin.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mark’s brows furrow, and he shifts like he’s about to say something, but I don’t give him the chance.

“And this… this thing between us is still pretty new,” I continue quickly, the lie coming just a little bit easier now. “So, I asked him not to say anything while we… explored this a bit.”

That sounds believable, right? God, I hope so.

“Of course, I tried to tell her that wasn’t necessary,” Mark interjects. “That I don’t waste my time on those who are ‘not my type,’ but she’s a stubborn one. So, I decided enough was enough and that I was done hiding what’s… blossoming between us.”