“—and I’m sitting there with zero mention of a dog, a girlfriend, a plant,nothing.Man looked at me like I was a liability.”
“Oh my God,” Payton laughs. “So your solution was… to lie?”
“It was a strategic move!” I argue. “I panicked. The man had this ‘Are you the party boy?’ face going on, and I didn’t want to be the reason he bailed on the project.”
“So you saved the deal… by inventing a fiancée?” Ashton says between snorts. “That’s bold, even for you.”
“Exactly,” I say, placing a hand on my chest like I deserve a damn medal. “Esteban Báez. Team player.” Everyone is cracking up now.
“So…” Josy smirks. “Where exactly are you planning to find this fake fiancée of yours?”
I lean back, scanning the table with exaggerated seriousness. “That’s why I’m here tonight, seeing if I can find a friendly, cooperative woman who might do me the favor of pretending to be wildly in love with me for a few weeks.”
Shooting Payton a hopeful look, she just shakes her head. “Sorry, boss. I’d do a lot for you, but faking a relationship is crossing a line.”
Before I can reply, Ashton perks up like he’s just been cast in a role. “I volunteer as tribute.”
I snort. “Thanks, man. I appreciate the offer, but unfortunately, I need a woman.”
Ashton winks. “You’re missing out.”
Quietly but clearly, Eva speaks, “What about me?”
The whole table stills as my head snaps in her direction. She’s watching me with this playful little smirk, like she’s onlyhalfjoking.
“You?” I ask, blinking like I misheard her.
She shrugs, nonchalant. “I mean, it sounds kinda fun.”
Ashton gasps. “Oh my God. Ilivefor this twist.”
Josy’s eyes go wide. Violet leans forward, grinning like she’s watching her favorite show.
And me? I suddenly can’t remember how to speak.
Eva Ross, my best friend’s little sister, just offered to be my fake fiancée.
I’m still staring at Eva like she just volunteered to walk barefoot across hot coals when I hear Noah shift beside me. He hasn’t said a word since she offered, until now. Leaning forward, eyebrows furrowed, jaw tight, he locks eyes on his sister like she’s just told him she’s joining a cult.
“Fuck. No.”
The whole table goes dead silent. Again.
Ashton lets out a little gasp. “Oooh, Daddy Ross has entered the chat.”
Eva groans. “Noah?—”
“No.” He crosses his arms, tone final. “Absolutely not. That’s my baby sister, Esteban. Are you out of your damn mind?”
Okay, now I have to step in. I raise both hands like I’m trying to calm a wild animal. “Whoa, whoa. Just hear me out, bro.”
“No.”
“Comeon.Think about it. Eva’s perfect for this. She’s smart, charming, classy, she already knows me. Hell, she’s known me since she was in diapers!”
Eva nods along, cool as ever. “Exactly. We’ve known each other forever. And I havezerointerest in him.” Ouch, those words hurt me a little, but I keep my face calm.
Noah’s still shaking his head like he’s trying to rattle theidea right out of his skull. “I don’t care how long you’ve known each other. Or how uninterested you claim to be. I really, really love you, man, but I donotwant you anywhere near my sister like that.”
