“You realize how bad an idea that is, right?” He runs a hand through his hair. “If something goes wrong between the two of you, it could lose us the event.”
“That’s the beauty of it. She just needs me to act like her boyfriend to keep her mom off her back.” I shrug my shoulders. “Besides we both have the same views on relationships. They aren’t for us. There’s no way this can backfire.”
He rolls his eyes. “That’s what you think. But be careful okay. I’m not saying anything will come of it, but make sure it stays fake. Not only because of the booking, but because you really do suck at relationships. The last thing you want is to give this girl any ideas that you can be more than that.”
I love the vote of confidence my brother has in me. “I won’t mislead her. We actually met at the Valentine’s event. I’m pretty sure she asked me because she knows I won’t press for more.”
“Have you told our little sister?” He stands and moves toward the door.
“Nope. I don’t plan on it unless I feel it’s necessary.” He opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “Which it won’t be. It’s nothing serious. Trust me.”
“If you say so.” He shakes his head and walks out of the office.
For someone who usually has my back and doesn’t give me shit about my dating lifestyle, I feel like he’s judging me. His reaction is exactly why I’m not telling anyone else. They don’t need to know. Unless, I can add my own stipulation. I need to talk to Jasmin.
Eight
Jasmin
The relief I’ve felt the past few days has been great. I secured a “date” for the wedding and my mom won’t have any reason to set me up with the sons of people she knows. That is the big positive takeaway from Parker agreeing. My mom will stop at nothing to make sure we’re all matched up for the wedding. Hopefully, my brother has someone he’s bringing. If not, Mom will be focusing her attention on him. For a split second, I feel bad about it, but ultimately, it’ll be funny to watch. He’s the baby and gets away with so much. If he doesn’t want to bring someone, he won’t.
I’m walking out of the office to get lunch when my phone pings with a message. I glance down at it as I press the button for the crosswalk.
Parker: Call me when you get a chance.
Dread sits in my stomach. Did he change his mind? He doesn’t seem the type to go back on his word. Not that I would know. We’ve seen each other twice in one month. The last time was by accident because I didn’t realize he owned the winery.
I glance at the time and figure I better get this over with. Otherwise, I’ll be thinking about it all day and it could affect my work.
The phone rings twice before he picks up, and I hurry across the street as soon as the light comes on. “Jasmin, I didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon. Last time you waited a solid eight hours to call me.”
“Well, I could hang up and make you wait again.” Ugh, I didn’t mean to sound so flirty. What is it about Parker that brings it out in me?
“No.” The word rushes out in a panic. Oh God, he’s going to say he had a change of heart. “What I have to say won’t take long.”
“It’s fine if you want to back out.” I take a deep breath. “It was out of line for me to even ask you. I’m not sure what I was thinking. Except I was desperate because I don’t want my mom setting me up with someone I have no interest in, and who will want more than to be my arm candy for my sister’s wedding. And?—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, Jasmin.” He chuckles on the other end of the line. “I’m still going to your sister’s wedding with you.”
“Oh, then why did your text sound so important? Is there something wrong with the wedding?”
“Take a deep breath, and I’ll tell you.”
“Okay.” I do as he says and inhale before exhaling. Leave it to me to overthink a text message. It’s what I do, though. I’m so used to fixing everything for everyone else, I saw it as something else I needed to remedy.
“Is there any chance you’d be open to coming around outside of wedding related things?”
That’s an odd request. “Why?” I’d be lying if I said I’m not on high alert.
“So, I was talking to one of my brothers about our arrangement. He told me it was a bad idea because apparently despite being the most charismatic of our group, I’m the family screw up. He thinks I don’t take anything seriously.”
“I’m failing to see how that has anything to do with me.”
“Well, if you come around more often, they’ll see I can be serious. The beauty of it is nothing will happen between us. I mean I’m already going to your sister’s wedding with you. I think it would do a lot to make my family see me in a different light.”
I’m not sure what to say to that. He doesn’t seem the type to care what anyone thinks of him. I guess it’s different when family is involved.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I know it sounds dumb.”
