I turn around to discover Thomas is practically standing on top of me. I try to take a step back, but I run into my computer stand. “I know we started off badly,” he says. “But that’s all behind us. I think we should be friends. What do you say?”
“Friends?” I don’t want to be this man’s friend. I want to be his girlfriend, the banana to his split, his baby mama, his … I could go on and on, butI am a professional.
Still invading my personal bubble, Thomas replies, “Why not be friends? I’m new in town and don’t know very many people. I think you’d be a nice friend to have.” He thrusts his hand out in front of him to seal the deal. “What do you say?”
Instead of accepting his offer, I tentatively tell him, “I suppose I could be your friend.”
He looks slightly hurt that I’m not more exuberant. Then he says, “As my only female friend in town, how would you feel about doing me a huge favor?”
Ah, it wasn’t just friendship he was after. There’s a catch. I take a giant step to the left, hoping to release myself from his gravitational pull. “It depends on the favor,” I say. For instance, I’d be happy to tell him where to go to get a good pedicure or advise him on Elk Lake’s minimal night life, but I’m not interested in feeding his cat if he has plans to go out of town.
“I need a girlfriend,” he tells me bluntly.
“You want me to be your girlfriend?”Yes!I can’t help but wonder why didn’t he lead with that.
Thomas shakes that gorgeous head of his. “Constance has targeted me as a love interest, and I need to make sure she knows I’m not up for it.”
Shoot.“Just tell her you don’t want to date her.”
“Believe me, I’ve tried. She refuses to take no for an answer.” I’ve met the woman and I can definitely see her not backing down if she’s set her sights on something. She’s that scary.
I turn and take another three steps before stopping. I need to think. Being that I’m super bad at taking social cues, I need to figure out if Thomas might really want to date me and he’s using this as an excuse, or if he’s telling the truth about Constance. I’d be disappointed if it was what he claims it is—a ruse to throw his boss off the scent. But maybe I could still use it to my benefit. Maybe if Thomas gets to know me better, he’ll learn to like me—eccentricities and all.
Unless he already likes me.Then spending more time with me might work against me. Having said that, if we’re going to be a couple for real, we’ll have to spend time together, right? My head starts to hurt.
I’m quiet for long enough that Thomas asks, “So, what do you say? Are you up for being my fake girlfriend?”
“And friend?” I add.
He smiles so enticingly, I’m ready to jump into his arms and beg him to love me. Luckily for my dignity, I control this impulse. “What would being your fake girlfriend entail?”
Relief washes over his chiseled features. “I need a date for the hospital Spring Fling.”
“When is that?” I ask, disappointed that’s all he’s after.
“April eighth,” he says. “It would just be a couple of hours of your time, and I’d be happy to compensate you.”
I’m sure he didn’t mean to offend me, but nonetheless, that’s how I feel. “I’m not a paid escort, Thomas. If we’re going to be friends then I would be happy to go on a fake date with you.”
“Ifwe’re going to be friends?”
I start pacing back and forth, carefully counting my steps. Five each way with a half step pivot to change direction. “If you want to be friends for real that includes doing stuff together. You know, seeing movies, eating out …”
His eyes begin to twinkle like an animator stepped onto the scene to draw little stars around them. “But we’d be doing those things as friends?”
“My friend Allie and I do those things,” I say before assuring him, “and we’re not dating each other.”
“Let’s do it,” he decides quickly. “I like you, Finley. You’re different from other women that I know.”
If he thinks what he’s seen so far is different, he’d run for the hills if he got a glimpse inside my head.
“I like you too, Thomas.” I walk toward him and stick my hand out this time. With a firm shake, I add, “I’m glad you moved to Elk Lake.”
I’m just sad that he doesn’t want me to be his real girlfriend.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THOMAS
