Standing up to greet Ray as he walks in, I lose my ability to speak from the sight of him. I thought he was a hottie at dinner the other evening, but ever since last night, when he asked me to the wedding, I have not been able to turn off my smut-brain. Holy broad-shouldered, muscular delight.
My brain reboots, and I ask him to take a seat.
“Everything OK?”
“Yes, I just wanted to warn you about something. I don’t know if it’ll be a problem for you.”
Staring at him, I gesture for him to continue.
“I told my grandmother about our date and now she’s telling her friends that you are my girlfriend. I swear I did not say a thing that could have made her think that. I wasn’t sure what to do and thought I would see if you were in your office.”
My mouth is moving, and words are coming out before I even realize it.
“Well, we were having a fake wedding date already. Why not just make it a fake relationship to bring her some joy during these days?”
A look of shock covers his Romanesque face. “Are you sure? That’s way too much of me to ask of you.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered. And, yes, I’m sure. I really do love your grandmother. She is one of a kind. If I can help bring her extra peace in her heart, then I am happy to do it.”
Spending time with this delicious man won’t be difficult, either.
“You like hiiiiim,” Artina sings to me, over my bluetooth, while I drive home.
“I like his grandma. She’s a really cool lady. And, not to be morbid, but it’s a temporary favor.”
“You think he’s a panty-melter.” She says, making me crack up.
“Artina, I could just be doing this out of the goodness of my heart.”
“Oh, I know you are filled with that goodness. But I also know you wouldn’t mind finding this absolute snack in your bed sometime down the line.”
“You’re impossible,” I say with a laugh.
“Fess up, cuz.”
“Lordy, you are such a stubborn bear. Fine, yes, I am over-the-top attracted to him and the idea of playing his girlfriend for the next several weeks sends me over the moon.”
It turns out that my fake dating Ray mainly occurs during my lunch breaks. It’s not like we need to convince anyone beyond these walls, plus his usual visiting schedule is after I leave for the day. So dates with him are walks around the home, lunch in the garden with Mae, or chilling in my office with the door cracked open.
These Interactions are not long, but every time he says something that makes me laugh. Or we share a moment realizing we both love the same book, song, or minor character from a show that should have been cancelled long ago.
Ten days before the wedding, and just 48 hours before Valentine’s Day, Ray shows up with an armful of pink orchids for me. I am dazed when he presents them, because they are my favorite flower and the only way he must know that is because I told his grandmother during one of our lunches. The thought of him making a special mental note for me in this way sends dancing butterflies into my stomach.
I bring one orchid stem out to the garden to give to Mae.
“Oh, this is your favorite flower? Where did you find it?” she says, her voice full of delight.
“Your grandson gave me a bouquet of them just now.”
Mae beams up at Ray, whose entire demeanor straightens in its light. Giving joy to his grandma is very rewarding, but watching him also find joy in this is sending me over the edge with my crush.
After our lunch, Mae brings an envelope out of her satchel.
“I wanted to treat you two lovebirds to a nice dinner, and Trevor was nice enough to help me. Here, please open this.”
With questioning eyebrows, Ray takes the envelope and tears it open. A Corvid Valley Steakhouse gift card falls out.
“Grandma! This is so nice. Thank you,” he says, standing to kiss the top of her head.
