Like me coming too early. Wasting a precious condom.
She’d probably be pissed.
“How long has it been again?” I stroke the hair away from her forehead, drinking in her features. She’s so pretty. Beautiful. Young. But smart. Confident. She’s been through a lot, and losing her parents has formed her into the woman she is today. She’s pretty fucking great.
I don’t know what I did to deserve her.
“A couple of years?” She shrugs one bare shoulder and I bend down, kissing it. “And it was with a guy I wasn’t serious about at all. We went on maybe seven dates.”
Seven dates. Interesting. “What’s your limit?”
“What do you mean?”
“Two dates and you let him kiss you. Four dates and you let him feel you up. Six dates and you have sex with him. Is that about right?”
“I never thought about it like that before.” She purses her lips, her brows lowering like she’s concentrating hard. “I had sex with that guy on date six. After the seventh date, I knew he wasn’t for me. He didn’t even try to kiss me.” Now she’s rolling her eyes. “Men should know that kissing is the best part.”
“You think so?” I kiss her. With hungry lips and a searching tongue. By the time I break the kiss, she’s panting.
“Yes.” She nods. “It’s the best. He was okay. I can’t believe we’re talking about this right before we do it.”
She’s right. But I’m enjoying this. “Interesting that it took that poor guy six dates.” I’m smiling. More like smirking. “Only took me one to get you naked.”
“You’re awful.” She shoves at my shoulder, but she’s smiling. Her eyes are glowing, and she’s staring at me like I’m her favorite person. “And since you brought me here for the entire weekend, that’s like six dates in one.”
“Whatever you say.” I dip my head, kissing her softly. This is the most unusual sexual experience I’ve ever had. It usually doesn’t play out like this. Where we can talk so easily. Tease each other. We’re lying here naked and we’re chatting about the last guy she had sex with like it’s no big deal.
Before, I would’ve never wanted to know any of that information. I always kept plenty of distance between myself and the woman I was involved with. I never told her too much, never wanted her in my business. Deep down, I know this is why they never worked out.
I never wanted them to work out.
I’m starting to feel differently about Sarah. I can actually see us together. I can see her becoming a part of my life.
I want her to.
But I can’t think about that, not now. Not when I have a willing woman in my arms, all soft and fragrant. Responsive. Our kissing gets carried away, and within minutes I’m sliding inside of her. Claiming her.
Making her mine.
Thirty-Three
Sarah
I wake up deliciously sore. And alone. Can you believe it? Jared woke up early and went for a run.
I suppose he’s totally into keeping himself in shape. How hot is that?
Stretching, I sit up, pushing my hair out of my face before I grab my phone. It’s almost ten-thirty, and he’s only been gone for about thirty minutes, so I guess he didn’t get up that early. It just felt that way, considering we didn’t fall asleep until around four in the morning.
We used up every one of those condoms too. Ha.
I have a text from Andie—she’s been staying at a friend’s house all weekend and checking in with me every few hours, just like I requested. She’s asking when I’m coming home, and that makes me happy because maybe it means she misses me.
Or maybe she’s just sick of being at her friend’s house. Who knows.
Snuggling under the covers once more, I keep checking my phone. No messages from my friends, which surprises me. But since I shared that photo of the room Friday night to my private IG story, I haven’t sent them anything else. I’ve gone completely incommunicado for the most part, and not one of those bitches reached out to see if I’m alive.
My friends are jerks!
I could be dead in a gutter, you know.
I fire that text off to our group chat, then scroll through Instagram. They might not even be awake yet. It is Sunday.
Caroline: Didn’t want to interrupt you. I figured you were getting continuously banged by your fake boyfriend.
Stella: Remember when you had me add you to my Find a Phone app? I know where you’re at. At all times.
Then she sends a screenshot that shows I’m smack dab in the middle of downtown San Francisco.
Kind of freaky.
Me: Oh. Right. I forgot about that.
So they did know where I was the entire time. I’m glad Stella still has me on her app. That’s actually pretty reassuring.
Another text comes through.
Eleanor: Are you having a good time?
Kelsey: You never answered my question about the pervy lingerie guy.
Me: I’m with the lingerie guy. And he’s not pervy.
There. Hopefully she’ll stop calling him that.
Caroline: Did you bang him or not?
Her impatience is showing. And my lips are twitching. I can’t contain the smile.
Me: Eleanor, I’m having a GREAT time.
I’m purposely ignoring Caroline.
Caroline: Don’t ignore me, Sarah!
Ha ha. She knows me too well.
Me: I don’t like to kiss and tell.
Stella: THIS MEANS SHE TOTALLY HAD SEX WITH HIM!!
All sorts of emojis start flying. Kissing lips. Heart eyes. Eggplants.
The quietest one of our friend group, the one who’s always working or with her stupid jerk of a boyfriend who no one likes, actually responds.
Amelia: You have a new boyfriend? Maybe we could double date sometime!
Um, no. I love Amelia. She’s fun. But her boyfriend? Is a Class A douchebag.
Me: Oooh yeah. Maybe.
Caroline sends me a text apart from the group.
That guy is an asshole. Do not encourage her.
I shake my head. I wish Amelia would get her head out of her butt and dump the guy, but who am I to tell her what to do?
I know, I know, I respond.
We chat a little more in the group, me offering up a few tidbits about the weekend, but I keep pretty mum overall. I don’t feel right, exposing Jared’s secrets. He confessed a lot to me, and I told him a lot too. They don’t need to know all of that.
But I can tell them how he makes me feel (awesome), and how we’ve had a great time, and that he’s a most excellent kisser (understatement).
The door opens and I send a quick goodbye text, set my phone on the bedside table and pull the covers up to my chin.
Seconds later, Jared’s entering the bedroom, wearing a black T-shirt and black athletic shorts, looking a little sweaty.
A lot hot. Literally and figuratively.
“You’re awake,” he says when he spots me clutching the covers like I’m a scared virgin on her wedding night.
“I am. How was your run?” Wow. This actually doesn’t feel awkward. I was scared of the morning after conversation. Jared can be a hard man to figure out sometimes, and I was worried he might make it weird.
He has a way of making things weird a lot of the time.
“It was great. I feel invigorated.” He rubs a hand through his hair before letting his arm drop. “You all right? You sleep good?”
I’m thinking what we’ve been doing in this very bed is actually why he feels invigorated, but whatever.
“I slept great. But I am a little sore,” I admit.
Concern etches his features. “Did I—hurt you?”
“No, no. Just, you know. From having sex for the first time in a while.”
He smiles. “We had sex more than one time.”
“You know what I mean.” I’m smiling too. We’re grinning at each other like lunatics, and I don’t want to stop. We watch each other for a moment, before he shakes his head onc
e and starts to speak.
“Lunch is at noon at a restaurant down the street. Kevin already texted me with the details,” he says. “Have you taken a shower yet?”
“No.” I wince. I probably smell. He’s probably grossed out by my lack of hygiene.
But then I remember how I basically sat on his mouth last night and I realize there’s no way he can be grossed out by me.
Jared studies me, his head tilted to the right. “Tell me why are you hiding behind the covers?”
Modesty got the best of me at first, but screw it. “Oh, I don’t know.” I sit up, toss the covers aside and climb out of bed. I stop right in front of him, completely naked, and his gaze is eating me up. “Guess I decided to come out of hiding.”
“I like it when you don’t hide.” He sneaks an arm around my waist and tugs me close to him, his hand splayed across my butt like he owns it. “Let’s take a shower together.”
“We don’t have any more condoms,” I remind him, slipping my hands beneath his T-shirt. Oh, his skin is still damp with sweat. I know that shouldn’t arouse me but it does.
It so does.
“We can do lots of things without condoms,” he says suggestively, wagging his eyebrows.
Laughing, I take his hand and we practically run to the bathroom.
We show up at the restaurant at ten minutes after twelve, hand in hand as the wind seems to push us through the door. We are grinning. Glowing. Our eyes sparkle and our cheeks are pink and every time we look at each other, the air seems to crackle. It’s heady stuff.
When we check in with the hostess, she lets us know that our party is already seated and are in a private room in the back.
“How many people are here anyway?” I ask, curious.
“Don’t know. I didn’t ask.” Jared smiles down at me warmly. I can only describe his current expression with one word: satisfied. “Hope you like Chinese food.”
“I love it.” The smells coming from the kitchen are making my stomach growl. I never did eat breakfast, and I don’t think Jared did either. “I’m starving.”
“Me too.”
We enter the private room where Jared’s family is to find one giant round table with every seat occupied, save for two that are together. One empty seat is next to Kevin. The other is next to Candice.
Oh thank God. I’m grateful to be able to sit by Candice.
“There you guys are,” she calls, rising to her feet to embrace us both at the same time. Her head swivels from me to Jared. “We were afraid you wouldn’t show.”
“We’re only ten minutes late,” Jared says, his voice low. Uh oh. I can tell he’s already irritated. Has he ditched his family before, with events like this? I’m guessing yes.
“We slept in,” I tell Candice with a gentle smile. “But Jared is feeling much better today, after what happened last night.”
Ha. Yes, he is most definitely feeling better after what happened last night.
“Oh thank goodness.” The relief on his sister’s face is clear. “Well, come sit! We already ordered a bunch of food. We’re just going to eat it family style.”
Candice settles into her chair and I’m about to do the same, when I notice Jared hasn’t moved. He’s looking at an older couple sitting on the opposite side of the round table, and I assume they must be Rachelle’s parents. There’s a stunningly beautiful woman who’s sitting next to them. She reminds me of Rachelle too. Maybe her sister?
“Jared?” My voice seems to penetrate his brain and he looks at me, offering a tense smile. “Let’s sit down.”
He does exactly that, not saying a word to me. He turns his focus on Kevin, and they launch into a deep conversation that I am not about to interrupt.
“Candice.” I tug on her sweater sleeve and she turns her head. “Who is the older couple sitting across from us?”
“Oh, that’s Rachelle’s parents, Vera and Ang. They’re really nice. And that’s Rachelle’s older sister sitting with them. Evelyn.” Candice makes a funny face, one I can’t immediately interpret. “But I’m sure you’ve heard all about her.”
I blink at her, feeling dumb. “No, I’ve never heard about her.”
“Really? Not ever?” The surprise on her expressive face is obvious.
“No,” I repeat. “Who’s Evelyn?”
“I was trying to tell you about her before Jared found us at breakfast yesterday,” Candice explains. “She was uh…she and Jared used to, um. Be together.”
I glance over at Evelyn and see she’s talking rather animatedly to Marcus, Jared’s dad. Like they’re old, close friends.
My heart pangs at the easy familiarity between them and I look away. Is she the one? The girl who broke Jared’s heart?
“How long ago?” I ask Candice.
“It was a while ago now. Years. Like, ten years. I was barely in high school.” She glances around to make sure no one is paying attention to us before she whispers, “They were engaged.”
My blood runs cold. Like, I’m frozen in shock. Oh God, Evelyn is the one. Why am I finding this out from Jared’s little sister and not him? “What?”
Candice nods, her brown eyes wide and full of fear. I bet she regrets opening her mouth. “Yeah, oh my God, he didn’t tell you? I figured he would, since Kevin is marrying Evelyn’s sister and all. We’re basically going to be related to Evelyn, which is you know, hella awkward, especially for Jared.”
“No.” I sit up straighter, my head spinning with this new information. “He didn’t tell me about her. At all.”
Well, he sort of did. Without mentioning any names or telling me that the woman who broke his heart and ruined him for years was going to be here this weekend. A normal person would consider that an important factoid to tell someone, don’t you think? That motherfucker. Seriously, why didn’t he tell me? Does this guy have zero balls or what? Did he really think he’d get away with this? He knew I’d have to find out eventually.
I just wish I could’ve been told versus finding out from his sister, who’s watching me like she’d rather be anywhere but here.
Yes. This is hella awkward, as Candice put it.
“I suppose you two are going to really enjoy making up after this, right?” Candice asks nervously. “Since your favorite part of a fight is the making up?”
Yeah, I don’t know about that. Does this constitute a deal breaker? He didn’t outright lie, he just withheld information.
Which is basically lying.
I sit there, quietly steaming while everyone else is chatting, having a great time. I eavesdrop on Kevin and Jared’s conversation. He doesn’t even realize I’m not talking to anyone, he’s so focused on what Kevin is telling him. And he’s asking his big brother to be his best man. This is a big deal, especially for these two.
“Is Evelyn going to be Rachelle’s maid of honor?” Jared asks, apprehension in his tone. “If that’s the case, it’ll be—weird. And you know it.”
I clench my hands into fists. Ooh, he is such an ass.
“She just got married,” Kevin tells him.
“Really?” Jared practically scoffs. “I had no idea.”
“If you answered my calls once in a while, you’d know. I’d keep you in the loop,” Kevin jabs, irritation in his voice.
Yeah, Kev. Stick it to your jerk brother. He deserves to feel like shit.
“You know I feel bad about that,” Jared admits. “Work keeps me busy—”
“Work is just an excuse,” Kevin interrupts. “Ever since Mom died, you’ve shut yourself off from everyone.”
My heart cracks a little at hearing that. It’s not easy to deal with losing a parent.
“Okay.” Jared’s voice is extra deep, and I wonder if he’s mad at Kevin. “You want me to be honest? At first it was—difficult for me that you’re with Evelyn’s sister. After everything that happened, I preferred to think none of them even existed.”
“Nice way to deal with your messed-up emotions, bro.” Kevin has zero sympathy for his brother, and I
kind of like it.
“Hey, tell me how you’d feel if Rachelle decided to dump you four months before your wedding day,” Jared says viciously. “It would fuck you up too. I know it would.”
Four months before their wedding date? Is that what happened to Jared? How awful. No wonder he’s so cautious when it comes to opening up his heart to women. Obviously, he’s still harboring some resentment towards Evelyn dumping him like that.
I can’t blame him, but still. He should’ve told me.
“We’ve been together a long time. I didn’t rush into this relationship, not like you did with Evelyn,” Kevin accuses.
This is starting to make me uncomfortable. Jared is going to catch me listening in on this conversation, and while I know I shouldn’t feel bad, I sort of do.
Luckily enough, four servers enter the room, all of them bringing trays of food. The smell makes my stomach growl, and I rise to my feet, needing to get away for a quick second and wash my hands.
“Hey.” Jared turns and smiles up at me, like nothing’s wrong. He has no clue what I know. “Where you going? The food just got here.”
“I’m going to use the restroom.” My voice is so cool, and I try to smile at him, but it doesn’t work.
His smile fades. “You all right?”
“Just want to wash my hands.” I pat his shoulder and take off before I say something stupid and he figures out I’m pissed at him.
Because I am. Pissed at him. Now I look like an idiot in front of Candice. And she’ll probably tell Kevin and their dad and Mitzi and oh God, Rachelle. And Evelyn.
Why not tell everyone I didn’t know that Jared almost married Evelyn? Let’s make an announcement to the entire family and then laugh over how dumb Sarah is.
Tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I go in search of the bathroom, grateful when I finally spot the door. I push my way inside, even more grateful to find it empty. I go to one of the sinks and prop my hands on the edge, staring at my reflection.
This weekend has been all about mirrors, and I really don’t get why. But I’m sure there’s symbolism here somewhere.
Taking a deep breath, I give myself a pep talk. I’ll be all right. Jared and I can discuss this on the drive home. And while I’ll tell him I’m angry and I think it was a huge mistake that he didn’t let me know about his previous engagement with Evelyn, I truly believe I’ll be able to forgive him.
Fake Date Page 23