Chapter Three
Nate
Packing the last ofmy things, I carry my bag out to the living room. This isn’t something I normally do. I’ve never pretended to be a boyfriend for longer than two days, but there was just something about her. Something in her voice that made me feel like I couldn’t say no. Like she needed this more than she needed to breathe. She may not know me, but she needs me.
Not to mention she was nervous as hell. Usually when women call me they just get right to the point. Not her though. I could sense her embarrassment and I didn’t want to add to it. So I just took over, which I prefer anyway.
Grabbing my travel mug of coffee, along with my bag, I carry everything out to my black 1970 Chevy Chevelle. This car is the first thing I bought after I started doing the fake boyfriend thing. I fully restored it and there is nothing that I love more. It’s a sexy, badass car that constantly turns heads. Just like me.
Driving over to Murphy’s, I focus on the road, but my mind is spinning. I had called Addilyn yesterday to give her the final price for me doing this for two weeks and she told me she’d have the cash today. That’s a chick who really doesn’t want to deal with her family. I told her I don’t take payment until the job is complete. She said she’d rather pay me before hand, but I just can’t do it. I’ve been doing this for almost three years now and I’ve never taken a dime before the job was complete. It’s not going to be any different this time.
Parking in the back of the bar, I wait for Addilyn. Within a few minutes, a car parks next to me and I have to assume it’s her. Dropping my sunglasses over my eyes, I step out of my car. Walking to the front I wait for her to get out and when she does I’m fucking glad I put my sunglasses on. My eyes widen when I see how damn beautiful she is. Her long brown hair is cascading over her shoulders, bringing my attention to her...body. And what a body it is.
Don’t think I’m some shallow asshole because I’m not. I help women all the time fulfill the need to have someone by their side. Helping their confidence as they walk into a room full of judging people. But, if I’m being honest here if I was going on looks alone Addilyn is who I’d create. Alright, maybe a little shallow.
“Addilyn?” I ask, as she closes her door.
Smiling she extends her slender hand. “Yep, which must make you Nate,” she says.
Holding her hand in mine I grin. “Guilty.”
After a second too long, she pulls her hand away and crosses her arms. “Thank you again for doing this. I’m not gonna lie I feel completely pathetic and awkward.”
Laughing, I nod my head. “I get it, but you’re definitely not pathetic. You’d be surprised at the amount of women that need a little help. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about and absolutely no reason to feel pathetic. After our ride you won’t feel awkward, I’m kinda fun to be around,” I say.
Blowing out a breath, she bites her plump bottom lip. “Okay, I guess let’s do this.”
“Don’t sound so excited,” I say, laughing. “Where’s your bag I’ll grab it for you?”
Once I get her things in my car and we get settled, I pull out onto the road. “We have a few hours to get everything straight, so how about you tell me what exactly they are expecting. Have we been dating long? Where did you say we met? Things like that,” I say, glancing over at her.
“I only told her we’d been dating a few months. She asked a million questions, but I avoided them all. So, I ummm guess we can just make everything up,” she says, focusing out the side window. “This is a really nice car, by the way.”
I can’t disguise my smile at the compliment of my car. “Thanks, she’s pretty much my pride and joy. And yeah we can just make everything up. What do you do for a living? Maybe we met at work?”
“I’m a nurse. I work at general doctor’s office, so we can say you were a patient or I don’t know,” she sighs.
“Hey relax, we are about ten minutes into the trip. We’ll get it all squared away. How about we were set up by someone you work with?”
“Yes, that’s a great idea,” she agrees. “I’ve mentioned a Vicki I work with, so it can be her.”
“See, done with that. Well how about you tell me a little about yourself. You’re a nurse, is that something you always wanted to do?” I ask, merging onto the interstate.
Shifting slightly in the seat, she clears her throat. “I have wanted to be a nurse since I can remember. It’s all I ever wanted to do. My parents are less than thrilled with my choices, but I’m very happy.”
She’s living her dream. That’s pretty fucking admirable. “Why wouldn’t your parents be thrilled about you accomplishing your dream?” I don’t understand.
“Because I’m not living their dream,” she says, laughing without humor. “I told you they want me married and popping out kids. They don’t like the idea of me working, living on my own, and being single.”
“Well, I think it’s great you went out and accomplished your dream. Not many people actually get to do that. So, we’ll convince them you’re in a very happy relationship, don’t worry about that,” I say.
It’s strange her parents wouldn’t be proud as hell for her accomplishments, but I guess everyone is different. That is the least of my worries though, we have to figure everything out before we get there and I have a feeling this isn’t going to be very easy.
We talk the entire ride and I noticed halfway through that she was much more comfortable with me. Her body relaxed, she was laughing, and telling me all about herself and her family. Her siblings, Abigail and Andrew are both married and starting families.
When we are about ten minutes from her parents house, I can sense her change in demeanor again. Everything is figured out, right down to what she was wearing when I first laid eyes on her. She just needs to relax and trust in my abilities now. She’ll see soon enough that I’m good at what I do. Really fucking good.
