Page 26 of Fake It For Glory

“I guess if that’s how you want to play this,” he said.

“You think it’s a bad idea?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s not conventional. It’s not like I have a better idea. If this is what you need to do, then go for it. Who knows? It might work out for you.”

“It’s not like I’m expecting to find true love with her.”

“But what if you do?” Christian asked with a goofy grin.

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, man. This is just an arrangement. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Christian looked at me for a long moment. “Just be careful, okay? You never know what kind of trouble you might get yourself into.”

“I will,” I said with a nod. “Thanks for the concern.”

“Did you meet this woman?”

“Yes.” I sipped my drink. “I ran into her. I mean that very literally. I smacked into her at the dating agency. I hit her hard.”

“Please tell me you’re lying,” he groaned.

“I wish I could,” I said, sighing. “I figured I may as well pay her before she sued me. And she looks like someone I would probably date.”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “It’s weird that you would just hire a girlfriend.”

“When you think about it, it’s clean and easy,” I said. “I don’t have to worry about calling her or making sure she’s happy. I don’t have to make promises.”

“You make it sound like she’s a dog,” he said, laughing.

“I would have to take care of a dog,” I said. “I don’t have to take care of Merida.”

“Merida? That’s her name?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“You know, when you talk about her, you get this look in your eyes,” he said.

“I doubt that,” I said, scoffing.

“Do you like her?”

“I don’t know her. We met today to go over what I expect from her.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Why does it sound like you are treating your girlfriend like an employee?”

I didn’t get the joke. “Because she is.”

“Alright,” he said, laughing again. “I know nothing about these arrangements. I will have to take your word for it that you know what you’re doing.”

“I appreciate your trust in me.”

We finished another drink before I decided to call it a night. I needed to be at the top of my game tomorrow. I couldn’t afford to be tired or hungover when I was embarking on what was going to be the biggest thing I had ever done. I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

But as I walked out of the bar, I couldn’t help but think about Merida. Her full lips, luxurious curves, her sharp wit, and her confidence. It was hard not to be drawn to her. But I had to remind myself that this was a business arrangement. Nothing more, nothing less. I couldn’t let myself get too attached.