Page 24 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
I so wanted the money. But I didn’t think I could do this. I was desperate but not that desperate. I had to draw the line somewhere. How much of my soul was I willing to sell? When I signed up to do this, I prepared myself for an old fart. I considered the idea it could be a man that was so unlikeable no woman would date him, despite his wealth. I had been prepared for the worst. Nothing could have prepared me for Ryan Jones. That was another level.
He raised his hand to order another drink. For some stupid silly reason, that pissed me off. “You’re obviously doing very well for yourself,” I snapped.
He shrugged. “I do okay.”
“That’s what rich people say,” I said. “You don’t want to come across as a braggart, but when you say it like that, you’re being an arrogant braggart.”
“Okay, but technically, you brought it up. Not me.”
“You think just because I signed up to be a fake date for money that I’m less than you,” I hissed. “I’m just some poor lady looking for some quick cash. You think that gives you the upper hand in this.”
He blew out a long breath. “Claire, I said nothing like that. I wasn’t thinking that either. It’s not like I knew it was going to be you when I signed up. I told Della I didn’t care who the person was. I just needed to be able to get along with the woman she chose. She offered to show me a picture of the woman she picked for this service. I told her I didn’t need to see it. It’s not like this is real. It’s an arrangement. A job. You don’t have to call me in the morning. We never have to see each other again if that’s what you want. Stop making it into something it isn’t.”
I hated that he was so rational. I knew I was the one making this a thing. I knew it but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. The more logical he was, the more illogical I became. I was completely losing my shit while he sipped expensive scotch.
“Yeah, you know, I think I would like that.”
“What would you like?” he asked with resignation. “Please, do tell.”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
“It seems you’re going to think I’m an asshole no matter what I say or do,” he replied. “You’re pissed I’m successful. You’re pissed I signed up for Faux’s. It sounds like you’re pissed at me for you signing up at the same place. You’re pissed it’s me sitting at this table. I don’t know what I could do that would not piss you off at this point.”
“Stop,” I muttered. “You’re making me sound crazy.”
He smirked and took another drink. “I don’t think you need any help in that department.”
“Don’t! Don’t do that.”
He put down his drink and raised his hand to get the waitress’s attention. “Can I have the check please?” he asked.
“Dessert?” the waitress asked while looking at me.
“No thanks,” I said with a tight smile.
When the waitress walked away, I shot another dirty look at him.
“You’re right,” he said.
“What am I right about?”
“This is never going to work,” he said with a sigh. “Nothing has changed since high school. I thought you of all people would be different. You’re not. You’ve still got a giant chip on your shoulder. You still see me as being less than worthy of your company. That’s fine. We’ll scrap this whole idea. Della told me she had a backup plan for me. I’ll give her a call. I guess I should thank you for trying.”
“I don’t have a chip on my shoulder,” I shot back.
He reached for his glass and downed the rest of it. “Okay.”
“You’re patronizing me.”
“Fuck me,” he groaned. “I’m not patronizing you. I’m not doing anything. I came to this dinner with the simple goal of meeting a business contact. That’s it.”
The man was too relaxed for me. I was on the verge of a total freakout, and he was leaned back sipping scotch. I couldn’t be in his presence another minute. This deal was over. I stood, tossed my napkin on the remnants of the salad I had barely touched, and marched away from him. He, of course, stayed right where he was. Why would he get up and chase me?
I found myself on a tree-lined path. All the palm trees had their trunks wrapped with lights. It created a tunnel of sorts. I didn’t know where it led, but as long as it led away from him, I would gladly follow it. I could hear the waves and smell the fresh ocean breeze. The trees ended and the path spilled onto a long sandy beach that was relatively deserted.
It was exactly what I needed.
I took a moment to pull off my sandals before walking along the beach. The sun was just starting to go down. I found a secluded spot and flopped down on the sand. I didn’t care that I was sitting in the sand in my new dress.
