by Jody Holford
Because he had no choice, he followed her across the hall. “What do you mean staking a pretend claim?” Why is she so mad?
She walked into his bedroom and tossed her clothes on his bed. He cringed but set the easel against the wall and ignored the mess. He’d fix it. He wanted her in his space, so some…adjustments would be necessary.
She pulled open the double closet doors and stopped in her tracks. Her breath whooshed out and then she looked back at him. “You already cleared space for me?”
He picked up a few items and stepped around her to hang them. The job had been first on his list this morning. “Of course. I wanted to make it as easy and efficient as possible. Now what did you mean, pretend claim?”
She continued to stare and scrunched her lips together. He couldn’t read her face. He hated that. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, he felt like the lights went out in the room and he was enveloped in the dark.
She shrugged. “Nothing. Just, it seemed kinda…territorial, the way you rushed over and then stared him down. You looked pissed.” She laughed, shaking her head.
He had been pissed, still was. He told himself it was because Jake was a dick, not because he’d felt territorial, as Gabby said. Gabby looked down at the carpet and ran her foot back and forth. Owen stepped closer. He didn’t want her to be mad at him, but if it kept Jake away from her, it was worth it. But it was probably best not to tell her that.
He stopped in front of her. His thoughts flashed back to the night before, to kissing her, and the memory rocked his insides, like an unexpected wave pulling him under. The kiss had been nothing short of spectacular, but it was best for him not to think too much about it. Instead, he softened his voice and went in a different direction. “If he thinks we’re a couple, it’s a good thing. I won’t be lucky enough to have my parents escape meeting that loser. The more people who believe we’re together, the smoother things will go this week.”
She looked up, and his stomach lurched. The sadness in her eyes had him reaching out to her, but stopped himself. She didn’t need comfort right now. She was Gabby. The strongest woman he knew. But he didn’t want to be the reason for her sadness.
She backed up slowly. “Right. Good thinking, Owen. Listen, you hang this stuff up for me, and I’ll go grab a few more things. Then I have to get to work.”
He grabbed her arm when she tried to step around him. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Gabby patted his hand before pulling out of his grasp. “Why wouldn’t I be? As you said last night, I’ve got the better end of the deal, right? I get the apartment, a hot pretend-boyfriend, and an old-fashioned family Christmas.”
Owen gave a rough laugh. “I think ‘hot’ is pushing it, and Christmas with my family is more likely to resemble the Griswolds than It’s a Wonderful Life,” he said.
She thinks I’m hot?
Gabby’s brows arched and her wide grin tightened his stomach and chest. Hands on her hips, she chuckled. Her laugh curled around his heart and grabbed hold. “Oh my. Did you just reference two actual Christmas movies? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
“I’m the guy who really appreciates you doing this, Gabs.”
She stiffened. “No big deal. That’s what friends are for, right?”
Before he could reply, she walked out of his room. He hung her clothes next to his, struck by a strange fluttering in his chest. He ran his hand over a dress he’d never seen her in. It was black sheer on top of colored fabric—beautiful, and he could imagine it would pair perfectly with her vibrant eyes and all that lush hair. There was something intimate about sharing closet space. He’d never done that with anyone. Vanessa had loved this apartment, probably more than she’d cared for him. But he’d asked her not to leave any of her things here. Maybe if it hadn’t felt calculated on her part—leaving odds and ends in his space so she’d have a reason to pop by when he’d specifically told her he had things to do, it would’ve been different.
Other than with his family, he’d never shared a home, and now he’d have Gabby sharing all his space. It occurred to him that when Gabby left random things at his apartment, he didn’t really care. In fact, he had what she referred to as her “Gabby-basket” tucked between the couch and the wall. He put anything she forgot or left behind in the basket.
“Gabby’s different,” he said, assuring himself it wasn’t a big deal. She was sweet and funny and pretty damn adorable, even if she was messy. It didn’t matter when it was at her place, but in his? She’d have more than a basket now, but it didn’t make him squirm like he thought it might. “Because we’re just friends and it’s temporary.” He took her easel to the living room, where he’d cleared space in front of the windows. She was doing him a favor, so he could put aside his petty need for order.
Once she left for work, he’d drag over all her boxes and her artificial tree. He’d been so happy last night, when Gabby had agreed, he’d spent most of the night thinking about her and he’d come up with a “Surprise Gabby Plan.” He figured he’d score major pretend-boyfriend points when he picked her up at the end of her day and brought her home to decorate the tree. Now, he had to do what he said he would: make it easy and fun so she didn’t regret saying yes.
Chapter Four
Gabby took a deep breath, irritated that her hand shook when she applied mascara. Damn Owen and his stupid be-my-girlfriend plan. She tossed the makeup on her counter, gathered up the rest of her things, and got ready to leave. Her heartbeat had gone off-kilter last night when Owen had kissed her, and it still hadn’t righted itself. What the hell was she doing? Inventing new ways to torture yourself.
Bundled up for the walk to the bus stop, she took the elevator down to the lobby. The heels of her boots tapped along the deserted lobby tiles. She was actually looking forward to work, just to get some space from Owen and his plan. And it hadn’t even started yet.
A little bit of distance was what she needed to remind herself of where she stood in his life, how great their friendship was and how poorly her last attempt at a long-term relationship worked out. Even if Owen were interested in her that way, which clearly he was not, she’d risk losing the most important person in her life. Because everything good came to an end.
As she neared the double glass doors in the bright, open foyer, one of her neighbors was letting himself in. She didn’t know his name and the few times she’d ridden the elevator with him, he’d given off a vibe that suggested she shouldn’t ask. He was tall—even taller than Owen, but, in Gabby’s opinion, not as hot. His lips were almost always pressed into a hard, unsmiling line, and though he was attractive, he was most certainly not friendly. Generally, she steered clear. He held the door for her and she said hello.
His reply was more of a grunt, but before the door closed behind her, he said, “Hey. You’re friends with Jake, the apartment manager, right?” His voice was stiff, like he kept it in reserve for only the most needed times.
It was an odd first sentence, but Gabby shrugged and went with honesty. “No. Is anyone?”
His eyes flickered with…something. Doubt? “I’ve seen you talking to him.”
Gabby frowned and stretched out her words. “Because speaking to your neighbors is polite.”
She saw the hint of a smirk and this time, she recognized the flash in his eyes: amusement.
“Is that so?”
Gabby nodded. “Mm-hmm. They might even introduce themselves.” She held out her hand. “I’m Gabby.”
He stared at it, one corner of his mouth twitching, like he was trying not to smile. His grasp was firm and warm. “Wyatt.”
Grateful to have something to divert her thoughts, she continued. “Some people even exchange random pleasantries and get to know each other.”
This time, that same corner of his mouth tipped up and she got a half smile. “Those people sound weird.”
A laugh burst from her chest. Mr. Moody had a sense of humor.
“Have a good day
,” he said, letting the door shut. Gabby couldn’t decide whether or not he meant it. But the exchange relieved some of the stress from the morning and her mostly-sleepless night.
The bus ride was only about fifteen minutes. Usually she left for work at seven thirty, but Min, her supervisor and friend, had told her today should be the first day of Gabby’s holidays. More than she had before, Gabby needed the distraction. With a new program being offered at the college, starting in January, they still had several files to get through.
The campus was small, set up so the courtyard was a hexagon, different buildings housing different programs of study. She worked in the Administration building, entering student data, helping with course registration, and other office duties. She enjoyed it, the decent hours, the environment, and the vacation time. But one day she hoped to pursue her art full time.
“I told you not to come in,” Min said, shaking her head when she saw Gabby walk across the lobby and come behind the counter. Cubicles and desks were arranged around huge filing cabinets.
“Just like I told you I’d be here for a few hours to finish helping you.” Plus, it gave her a chance to reset her system and convince herself that Owen’s kiss hadn’t been that great. She wouldn’t get much time away from him in the following days. She’d never wanted space before, even after she’d realized she loved him. But then, she hadn’t known that her gorgeous geek knew exactly how to use his lips to lull her into a kiss-coma.
Gabby stored her bag in the bottom drawer of her desk, shoved her hat and gloves in the pockets of her jacket, and then hung it and her scarf on the coat rack. A shiver wracked her from head to toe. They’d be getting more snow for sure.
Min’s fingers flew over the keyboard. She’d probably been here a couple of hours already. A tiny woman, even in the four-inch heels she always wore. Her straight-cut bob was severe but suited her angular face. Her caramel colored skin was make-up free, except for the heavy dose of eyeliner she wore. She ran the office with the efficiency of a general, treated her staff with the kindness of a grandmother, and could drink them all under the table any night of the week. Gabby adored her and knew that even if a time ever came when she could give up her day job, she’d miss seeing Min.
“Okay, then. Since you’re as stubborn as you are adorable, let’s rock this out and close down before four,” Min said. She handed Gabby a stack of folders containing student information.
Gabby rubbed her hands together, then settled them on the coffee mug Min had already placed on her desk. Yeah—she’d definitely miss her. Good thing she had no reason to worry about that pipe dream anytime soon. If she wanted the art show to be a success, she’d need to actually get something on her canvas. Frowning, she pushed the thought away. Real life came first. Ha. Your real, pretend life of being Owen’s girl.
Gabby sighed in pleasure at the first taste of Min’s coffee. “You heading home tonight for the holidays?”
Min nodded, settling at the desk across from Gabby’s. “Tomorrow. My whole family will be here this year. My oldest brother and his wife are bringing the twins, so that’s exciting.” Min had a huge family living in Vermont, and Gabby liked trying to remember all the names and connections. Min told her she’d need a flowchart and offered to make one. Gabby couldn’t imagine the whole group together. If Owen thought his family made a racket, he should listen to some of Min’s stories about forty relatives with several tables pushed together end to end, talking over one another.
“Cool. Take pictures or text me, at least.” One day, Gabby hoped to have a large family. While Owen preferred the quiet, she’d welcome the noise. Sometimes she got tired of her own company.
“I will. I still wish you’d come. My mom hates the thought of you being alone,” Min said. Click-clacking filled the background as both sets of their hands tapped the keyboards, inputting transfer and registration information for new and returning students.
“I won’t be alone,” Gabby said. Nope. At least that much was true.
“According to Mama, being alone is better than being with a man who is missing what is right in front of his face,” Min said. She shot Gabby an amused grin.
A sharp pang poked her heart. She didn’t want to tell Min what she’d agreed to, especially since her friend had recently decided she could find Gabby the perfect not-Owen match. Starting tonight. One of the professors, Andrew, was hosting a holiday party and Gabby had agreed to attend with a few of their colleagues. It would be a group thing, which lessened the pressure a bit, but Andrew had wanted her to come as his date. This had been the compromise. It might be fun. Too bad that didn’t take her mind off how right Min was.
“He’s not missing anything. We’re friends. Why do I have to keep telling you that?”
“Because when you fall asleep at your desk you moan his name, so it’s hard to believe you,” Min said.
Gabby snorted with laughter, throwing a paper clip at her friend. She didn’t like keeping things from Min, or anyone, but she wasn’t up to explaining how much this mattered to Owen. It was hard for people outside their friendship to understand what they meant to each other. Like a lot of people, Min wondered about the ability of men and women to maintain a long-term friendship without one person’s feelings getting in the way. Gabby had wisely used Phoebe and Joey’s friendship from Friends, but Min had come back with a When Harry Met Sally reference.
Even though Min liked Owen—he’d come for drinks with them on more than one occasion and had attended a few events with the two of them—she’d have something to say about Gabby pretending to be his anything. Min wouldn’t have done the same thing in her shoes, she knew that. But Min had a whole family around her, a mom who worried about her and a dad who checked in with her. Gabby didn’t have that. She had Owen. And maybe a little piece of his family, since they were spending the holidays together. Was it so bad to want that? Thinking of family and moms caused a hollow ache to settle below Gabby’s breasts and she rubbed the center of her chest, trying to ease a pain that would never leave.
With Christmas music playing over the speakers, Gabby told Min about Owen’s parents and her holiday plans. “Owen says his whole family adores Christmas. His mom makes homemade cranberry sauce and this special herb blend for the turkey.”
Min picked up her coffee cup, held it between her hands. “Yum. And why doesn’t he like being with them again?”
Gabby stopped typing student numbers into the computer. “He loves them. He likes being with them. He just prefers more quiet. From what he’s said, they’re all very lively, animated, and busy. He’s just…more reserved. He doesn’t dislike Christmas, he just doesn’t care for all the fuss and, according to him, they’re all about the fuss. Last year, his mom invited a ton of people Owen didn’t even know. It’s just not his scene.”
Min nodded, but Gabby worried she wasn’t explaining it right. There was nothing wrong with Owen preferring more solitude than some people. It didn’t bother Gabby, particularly since he didn’t see her as an invasion of that need.
“Well, if you think they like to make a fuss, you really need to spend Christmas with my family. This year my mom is making a turkey, duck, and ham. Gran’s making a sweet-potato mash that is out of this world. I’ll try to remember and put some in the freezer to bring you a taste after the holidays.”
Min continued to make Gabby’s stomach growl with details of the delicious treats her family would indulge in. Gabby wasn’t the greatest cook. She could follow a recipe and had never starved, but she was far from Min’s capabilities. Or even Owen’s. Should she try and cook something while the Burnetts were in town? Would Owen want her to? Probably not. She snickered to herself. Definitely not.
Thinking of them made her wonder about Christmas presents. She should probably get them something or at least know what Owen got them. He’d have ordered something. He worshipped online shopping and bowed down to the UPS delivery guy. They kept him from having to interact too closely with other humans. Not that he wasn’t a great
guy, but his work made him somewhat of a homebody, despite spending most of his time there.
“How do I choose gifts for people I don’t even know?”
Min looked across the desks at Gabby. “What?” Gabby hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud.
“I need to go shopping. I have to have something for his family.”
Min grabbed another file and narrowed her eyes at Gabby. “Why would Owen’s friend—even best friend—have to purchase gifts for his family?”
Min was probing, but Gabby wasn’t filling in the gaps. “Because we’ll be together on the day and it feels like the right thing to do.” She tried to think of what Ophelia might like, since she’d probably be the easiest of the four.
“Text Owen and ask him. Better yet, text him and tell him to pick up four lovely somethings, wrap them, and put your name on them.”
Gabby laughed. She wouldn’t go that far, but she would text him.
Hey. I need to get your family some gifts. Don’t argue. Just give me ideas.
She waited.
When do I ever argue with you?
Gabby laughed. Do you really want me to answer that?
Owen’s reply was quick. No. But, really, you don’t have to get anything.
She sighed. Owen. Answer the question. I want to make a good impression.
Three dots hovered, telling her he was typing back. Sweetie, there’s no way you wouldn’t. They’re going to love you.
Gabby stared at the term of endearment, her fingers itching to screenshot it so when it got lost in the text stream, she’d be able to pull it up easily. It was funny how something could seem playful in one moment and in the next, carve a chunk out of her heart. His casual, easy-going ability to talk about love and Gabby in the same sentence reminded her that he wasn’t “in” love with her. He saw her like he did Ophelia.