“Rule number three, no cute nicknames,” he read. He laughed at her serious expression. “I’m not into nicknames. No worries there.”
“They are childish.”
He didn’t always think that was the case, but it wasn’t the time or place to dispute it.
He wouldn’t debate much since she was agreeing to alter things.
“Rule number four, costs are split. Nope. Sorry. This is my family event, the room is paid for and there is no chance of you getting one in the hotel on this short of notice. I’ve got a rental car and the flight booked and paid for.”
“The flight is going to be an added cost for me,” she said.
“Natalie. No. I’m going to let you put this silly contract in front of us if that makes you feel better, but I’m damn well not letting you pay for anything on this trip. You’re doing me a favor. Ahugefavor. When you witness my family theatrics and how I’m treated, you’ll understand, but it’s not negotiable in terms of money.”
He almost heard the grinding of her teeth.
“Can I at least see if there is a hotel room available?”
“Sure,” he said. “But don’t you think it’d look odd if we are supposed to be in a relationship and we’re not in the same room?”
Her head went back and forth. “I’d still like to check.”
He pulled his phone out, found the name of the hotel and gave her the information. “I can look, but you’ll want to do it yourself so you know I’m telling you the truth.”
She snorted, put the information in while he stood there and waited, baited breath that he was right. “Fine. You’re right. It’s full.”
“There are only four rules here. I’m surprised you’re not one of those people who needs things to end in five or zero.”
“Very cute. But now there are only three rules because you’re taking number four off.”
“True.” He pulled the pen out of her hand and crossed it off. “Put your initials next to it. I know how these things go.”
She smirked and did as he said. “Anything you want to add?”
“Yep,” he said. He pulled the pen back and wrote two rules. He needed it to end in five. A tiny pet peeve and hoped she’d shared that with him.
“Number four,” she said, reading it. “Don’t stress or get worked up over the little shit.” She sighed. “I can do that.”
“Oh, I’m sure you can. You’ve always been a pro at wearing the happy face, even when it’s just a mask. I saw it plenty in college, and again since we reconnected.”
“I’m not cold,” she argued, her eyebrows drawing together.
“I don’t think you are and if anyone tells you that, they can go find the nearest bridge to jump off of it.”
She nodded her head, then read, “Rule number five. Have a good time, laugh a lot, and tell Arik how handsome he is.” Her head went back with laughter, her neck exposed, her mouth open in pure glee. “That’s three more into one.”
“I know. But then it’d be seven rules and I don’t think I can come up with three more to even it out.”
She gave his arm a playful shove. “Sounds like you’re the anal one, not me.”
“I have my moments. Really, I don’t want to make a huge deal about this. Consider it an extravagant date with uptight obnoxious people that you can handle in your sleep and I need you as my supportive fake girlfriend.”
“There isn’t much fake about me despite what others have said in the past.”
He reached for her hand, and when she let him take it, something warm stirred in his chest. He wanted her to get used to his touch. Not because of the deal they made, but because it felt right. Maybe by Friday, he’d earn a real kiss, one that made the contract feel like nothing more than an excuse to be close to her.
“I never thought you were fake. I think you’re guarded behind that polite exterior. But you dropped some of those walls on Sunday with me. Right?”
“I did.”
