Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
My nerves settle as he tells me more about his friends, the classes they took in college, and the things they got up to on the weekends. The driver pulls us into a curved drive that takes us off the city street and close to the door as we arrive at the restaurant.
It’s on the first floor of a skyscraper with manicured plants in the front and lights glowing above the windows. A pristine awning covers a door made from dark wood that shines like it’s been polished. Uniformed valets wait to park cars for people, and everything I can see looks freshly painted and lovingly maintained.
“Wow,” I breathe. “This is a nice place.” I nervously look down at my dress and wonder if I should have opted for something more…delicate or detailed or higher heels. I’ve been to a number of high-end banquets for charities and exquisite dinners and events with my ex, but this is…more.
“You look beautiful,” Graham says, and offers me his arm. “Stunning even,” he adds with a charming smirk that eases my mind.
He holds my hand in his as the hostess takes us through the restaurant. We walk past people at candlelit tables to a private room in the back. Graham’s friends sit at a long table with their wives. When we step inside, all of them get up from the table to shake Graham’s hand, slap his back, and sneak in hugs. The atmosphere is easy and friendly. They’re more than welcoming.
“Graham, who’s this?” one of his friends asks, barely concealed excitement in his eyes. “You’ve never brought a date before.”
A blush heats my cheeks and I do everything I can to not let my nerves show as I give a little wave.
Graham rolls his eyes. “I told you I was bringing someone. Everyone, this is Maddie. Maddie, this is everybody.” He goes around, telling me his friends’ names and the names of their partners. The man who asked the question is Scott. He’s tall and has dark hair like Graham. Drew has lighter hair and a quick smile. Brian’s a redhead with a big laugh.
I know I’m supposed to play a part—to fill the space so Graham doesn’t have to be the only single one here—but as soon as we sit down at the table, it all starts to feel…real.
All Graham’s friends are married, and all the wives are friendly, open, and funny, and they include me in their group without hesitation. It’s easy to imagine how it would be if I was Graham’s wife and not just his stand-in date.
Too easy.
I remind myself throughout the night that this is fake. They call me his girlfriend and I swallow down the lie as I answer their questions.
Graham brushes his knuckles over the back of my neck as everyone’s chatting between dinner and dessert. It’s an affectionate gesture. It’s casual and intimate, and I like it.
“You okay?” he asks in a low voice as the appetizers are passed around the table and dinner menus are swept away. “Having a good time?”
“The best time,” I answer honestly, trying not to think too much. Doing my best to simply play my part and not let my heart make my head think this is something it isn’t.
“Really? Because we could duck out early, if you’re not.”
“Your friends are great.” On an impulse, I lean in and kiss his cheek. It’s a risk I can’t help but take. As he smiles down at me, a friend at the end of the table tells him to get a room and I blush violently. The table laughs and I laugh along too, and as the night goes on, with every small kiss and touch from Graham, I feel less and less like a fraud.
Maddie
Nearly two months of this arrangement have passed and everything seems just perfect. It’s like a dream I didn’t dare to dream before. Without the cost of rent, my job is more than enough to keep me afloat and contribute back to my savings. I don’t have a worry in the world, other than how so much of this new world of mine is reliant on Graham. Just like it used to be with my ex.
I swallow down that thought as often as it comes up and focus on the positives.
Meeting Graham’s friends has definitely either taken us to the next level or given me mixed signals. That combined with little trips on private jets for weekend vacations in the sun…life is very much too good to be true.
I’ve been added to a group chat with Julie, Bee, and Whitney, and they’re just as lovely, welcoming, and funny as they were at the dinner. They’re very interested in Graham and me, but I keep it light and vague. Although for the most part, I don’t have to hide anything. Like when they ask how long we’ve been together or how we met. Eight weeks and in an elevator in his building. Oh how they thought that was scandalous…if only they really knew.