Fake It For Me

by Parker, Weston

  Both the man and woman nodded, small smiles playing on their lips. “And now you’re going back?”

  “Yes. I have to tell him I’m sorry and see if we can work things out. He—”

  The old man held up a wrinkled hand. “If you don’t mind, my wife and I are tired and would like to try and get a little rest before we land in Athens.”

  I felt my face staining red. “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I understand,” I murmured and turned away.

  It was going to be a long flight. They’d seemed liked nice, caring people. Apparently, they weren’t. I let out a long sigh, staring down the aisle. I noticed the flight attendants gathered near the front of the plane, talking.

  “Good afternoon, sir,” I heard one of them say. “Glad to have you aboard. We’ll be taking off in a few minutes. Take your seat please.”

  I hated when there was that one straggler holding everyone else up. As if they were so important, the world would wait for them. When I saw the tall figure with black hair, his back to me, I froze. There was no possible way it could be him. I watched as he said something to the flight attendant before turning around and looking down the aisle.

  I couldn’t move or breathe. It was him. Adrian was on my plane. In the United States.

  What. The. Hell?

  His eyes scanned the rows as he made his way down the aisle. He hadn’t seen me yet. I knew I should raise my hand and grab his attention, but I was shell shocked. Then his eyes met mine. He stopped moving.

  We both stared at each other for several long seconds.

  “Adrian?” I whispered.

  He started moving again. His long legs brought him toward me, stopping next to my seat. “Come with me?”

  “You want me to get off the plane?” I asked with confusion.

  He nodded. “Please.”

  “I—”

  I turned to look at the older couple beside me. Instead of looking happy for me, they were scowling as if I was interrupting their nap. I realized they were anxious to get on their way, and I was holding them up.

  “Bella, please,” he said in a low voice. “I want to talk, and I’d rather not do it here in front of everyone.”

  I nodded. “Okay,” I said, feeling completely crazy. I grabbed my purse and laptop. I had forgone the carryon with my essentials in my rush to get back to Greece.

  “Sir, you need to take your seat,” a flight attendant barked.

  “We’ll be getting off,” Adrian said, taking my hand in his and facing off against the petite woman blocking his exit down the aisle.

  “Sir,” she scolded, her head moving to the side to look at me. “Are you getting off, too?”

  “Um, yes. I’m sorry.”

  Adrian didn’t wait for the woman to accept my apology. He plowed ahead, and she had no choice but to move out of our way. I could feel everyone watching us. Several women stared at Adrian and then looked at me, huge grins on their faces. We’d just made it to the front of the plane when I heard a hoot, followed by cheering.

  I grinned, feeling pretty damn fortunate to have a man like Adrian pulling me off a plane. We moved through the airport, Adrian practically dragging me behind him. I could feel his determination vibrating where he was holding my hand.

  We made it to a relatively small, private corner of a gate that wasn’t being used. “Sit,” he ordered.

  I sat down in one of the chairs. He sat next to me, taking my hand in his and looking into my eyes. My heart was dancing, jumping for joy, and praying he had made the trip to tell me he was madly in love with me.

  “You’re here,” I said with disbelief.

  “I’m here.”

  I was still a little befuddled. “Why? How? I don’t understand.”

  “I’m here because you’re here.”

  I grinned. “I almost wasn’t here.”

  He chuckled. “I noticed. Your dad waited until the very last minute.”

  “My dad?”

  “I’ll explain that later. I had to come. I had to talk to you and make things right between us. When I went to work yesterday, I had hoped to talk to you. When Cassia told me you left, I knew I’d screwed up.” His voice was low and full of regret.

  I put my hand on his knee. “I shouldn’t have run away. That was childish, and I’m so sorry for doing that. It was a knee-jerk reaction to what had happened Saturday. I should have stayed and faced things head on, but I ran.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t blame you for running. I gave you no reason to stay. What I said at the ice cream shop, I want to explain.”

  I nodded, swallowing my nervousness. This was the moment of truth. He could tell me I wasn’t the woman for him, or he could tell me he was madly in love with me. I was still hoping for the latter, but I knew we came from different worlds, and despite what we had shared for a very short time, there was a chance things would never work out between us.

  “I’m listening,” I whispered, ignoring the din of the busy airport around us.

  Just then, it was only him and me in the dark corner of the closed gate. His hand closed over mine, resting on his knee.

  “It wasn’t nothing,” he said, those striking blue eyes boring into my very soul. “Those few days together were something very special to me. I’m sorry I said what I did. It wasn’t meant to hurt you. I was trying to protect myself from being hurt, and I ended up hurting you. That was never my intention. When we’re together, I feel like a different person. I feel free and happy and whole. I was wrong for not standing up to my mother. I was wrong for letting her talk to you like that, but most of all, I was wrong for letting you walk away that day without trying to stop you. Will you forgive me?”

  “Adrian, of course I forgive you. I know things were weird. Neither of us talked about what was happening between us. I think we were both so caught up in the moment and afraid of ruining what we shared by talking about where things were going, so we avoided it. I was afraid if I talked about how I felt, it would burst the little bubble we were living in.”

  He smiled at me, and his eyes held mine. “I didn’t know how to navigate the conversation or any of it. I knew the moment I saw you, I wanted to spend time with you. I started to worry it was just an infatuation and, after a day or two together, it would wear off. It didn’t. Please tell me you’ll give me another chance to show you I can be a good man, a man worthy of your affection.”

  I bobbed my head up and down. “Yes. Absolutely. I really am sorry for leaving like that. I swear I won’t do that again. I’ll stick around, and talk to you, and work things out instead of running away.”

  He visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping forward before he leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. “I’m so glad to hear that. I’ve not stopped thinking about how that day went.”

  “Me either.”

  I reached up and put my hand on his jaw, feeling the dark stubble under my hand. I could see the dark circles under his eyes and knew he hadn’t been sleeping well either.

  “Want to get out of here?” he asked.

  “I do. Did you fly commercial?”

  He smirked. “No. My jet is on a small airstrip outside your town.”

  “Oh, wow,” I said, shaking my head again. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Honestly, me either. I can’t explain how I felt when I found out you were gone. I knew I had to chase you.”

  I smiled, thinking of what my father had said. “I was ready to chase you. I gave up too easily, and that was stupid.”

  He smirked. “I felt the same way. I’m fighting now, though. I want you in my life. I don’t know how that works, but I know what I want.”

  “Let’s worry about logistics later,” I said. “Right now, I think we could both use a hot meal and a good night’s rest. We can stay in the city tonight. Unless you’re in a rush to get home?”

  He shook his head. “I want to stay here.”

  “Good. It’s my turn to show you around. I know a great restaurant. It serves all the American comfort foods I lo
ve.”

  “That sounds great. I’m starving. I’ll book us a room.” He pulled out his phone.

  I didn’t even think about stopping him. I knew him well enough to know he liked comfort and style, and I couldn’t afford that. This was a little vacation for him, and I wanted him to be able to truly enjoy it, and it looked like he could use the rest.

  We walked out of the airport, our hands clasped together, my head leaning against his shoulder. The car he had apparently hired was waiting for us.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered, snuggling against him in the backseat.

  “I’m so happy to be here. I didn’t like that feeling at all.” He made a cute pouty face.

  I had to giggle. “What feeling would that be?”

  “The feeling that I had lost you for good. I felt like I had lost a piece of myself. It was very uncomfortable.”

  “Uncomfortable?” I teased.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I do. How did you find me?”

  “Rand found you. He pulled your file and gave me the information.”

  I groaned. “Oh god. I’m sure he really hates me now.”

  “He doesn’t hate you,” Adrian said. “He sensed the connection between us from the very beginning as well. He was worried I would lose my focus and devote all my time and energy to you and somehow bankrupt the company.”

  “I wouldn’t let you do that,” I assured him.

  He nodded. “Rand is my best friend, and he was looking out for me. I hope the two of you can talk and get to know one another. You’re both very important to me, and I want you to be friends. He’s a good guy.”

  “I will. I don’t have anything against him.” I paused. “To be honest, he kind of intimidates me.”

  Adrian chuckled. “Most people say I’m the intimidating one.”

  I turned my face to look up at him. “From the moment I saw you, I knew you were a good guy. I wasn’t intimidated in the slightest.”

  He grinned. “Because I was your rescuer.”

  “You’re my hero,” I said in a high-pitched voice, and we laughed.

  It felt good to laugh together again. Like finding a missing piece of myself.

  Like I was whole again.

  Chapter 37

  Adrian

  The hotel reservation had been last minute, and I had no idea what I was going to be getting, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the place was quite luxurious. I didn’t think of myself as a snob, but I did know what was good and what was substandard. Strolling across the gleaming black and white marble floors of the hotel lobby told me I was in a good place.

  “I’ve never been here,” Bella whispered from beside me. “I’ve seen it on those tourist brochures, and I know when the few celebrities that come this way stay in town, this is where they stay, but this is gorgeous!”

  I smiled, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her in close. “I’m glad I get to be here with you.”

  “Did you bring luggage?” she asked.

  I chuckled. “I did, but in my rush to get here, I left it on my jet. I didn’t think I would need it. I’m not worried. I’ll talk with the concierge and have something delivered—for both of us.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” she quickly assured me.

  “Bella, your luggage is on its way to Greece.”

  She groaned. “And this is why my dad says I should always have a carry-on.”

  I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. We can go shopping for ourselves if you prefer.”

  “No, I don’t think either of us is up for that,” she mumbled.

  We checked out the suite, which was much finer than the room we’d had in Athens. I was thoroughly impressed and made a mental note to use the hotel when I came back for visits, which I was already planning to do as often as I could.

  It was still early when we left the hotel, after talking to the concierge to get myself a change of clothes delivered to the room, along with something for Bella, despite her insisting she was fine. I liked being able to spoil her.

  The restaurant she had picked for us was very casual. I felt a little overdressed in my slacks and dress shirt, but she assured me it was fine. Our roles were reversed, and I had a much better understanding of how she’d felt in my hometown.

  “I’m going to let you order for me,” I told her. “I don’t recognize what a lot of these dishes are”

  She giggled. “They use silly names. I think you’ll like the country fried steak.”

  I grimaced. “I’m going to take your word on that.”

  I watched as she ordered for us, along with two bottles of Bud Light beer. I was on her turf and willing to let her lead the way. I trusted her and knew she wouldn’t lead me astray.

  “So, my dad texted and asked if you made it to the airport on time,” she said with a grin. “I didn’t realize you went to the house.”

  “Yes, I did. Your father and I got to talk for a bit. He’s a good man.”

  “He’s the best man,” she said proudly. “What did you talk about?”

  “You, me, us, the future,” I said nonchalantly.

  “I see.”

  “He gave me the typical warning a father would dole out to his daughter’s suitor, but I got the feeling he liked me,” I ventured.

  “I’m sure he did. He wouldn’t have told you where I was if he didn’t.” She laughed.

  “Why hasn’t he remarried?” I asked. I knew it was a blunt question, but I found it odd a man would stay single and alone for over twenty years. He seemed very nice, and I supposed he was a good-looking man. Everything Bella had told me about him was positive.

  “I’ve asked him that same question a few times. He always says he was married to the one true love of his life and no other woman could ever compare to her. I hate that he is alone now, but honestly, when I was younger, I was kind of glad he didn’t remarry. Several of my friends had stepmoms or stepdads, and they all had really rocky relationships with them. I was worried he would remarry, and the woman wouldn’t like me and steal him away. I realize that was selfish now. I want him to find someone he can spend the rest of his life with.”

  “Do you feel like you have to stay here to take care of him?” I asked in a quiet voice, almost afraid to hear the answer.

  She took a drink from the beer bottle. “In a way, yes, I do. He always tells me I don’t have to, but how can I leave him all alone? I’m all he has.”

  “Do you think your dad would like to travel?” I asked.

  “Like the country or the world?”

  I shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. Both, either.”

  “He’s talked about buying an RV and traveling across the country after I leave home, but I’m pretty sure that’s just him talking. He and I both know I won’t leave home, and I really don’t like the idea of him out there all alone.”

  I smiled, wanting to kiss her. “You’re a very thoughtful daughter. I don’t know if a lot of parents have the luxury of having a kid like you, who is willing to sacrifice their own futures for the sake of their parents.”

  “I’m not sacrificing anything. I have to look out for him. He’s the kind of man who will work for four days straight and not take a break. He needs someone there to make sure he eats and rests.”

  I nodded. “I understand that. Would he move to Greece?”

  Her mouth dropped open. “What? Really?”

  “Yes, really. I want you working in the company. You’re an asset to anywhere you go, but I want you with me.”

  She looked thoughtful for a second. “I don’t know. I don’t imagine they do a lot of mining there.”

  “Why not ask him to retire?” I suggested.

  She scoffed. “I may as well ask him to move to the moon.”

  I grinned. “Bella, I know this is fast, and I understand if you say no, but I’m offering your father an early retirement.”

  “No way. I can’t accept that from you, and he will certainly never accept c
harity.”

  “If we offer you a full-time position at the company, you could afford to support him and live a comfortable life,” I told her.

  “You’re tempting me, but would I be in Crete just to work for you?” she asked in a quiet voice.

  I shook my head. “No. I want you with me. I don’t want to be apart from you again. I’m not really in a position to move here, but if that’s what it takes to be with you, I’ll make it happen. The last twenty-four hours has shown me I don’t want to be without you. I know it’s fast. It’s crazy, and I know people think we’re rushing this, but have you ever just known when something is right?”

  “Yes,” she breathed out the word.

  “You’ll come home with me?”

  She nodded. “I will. I don’t know what the future holds, and I don’t know if my father will ever consider early retirement, but I will ask. I want to be there—with you.”

  “Good.”

  “But Adrian, if you’re serious about hiring me to work at the company, I don’t want special treatment. I want the standard job offer and pay. I have to do this on my own.”

  I nodded. “Absolutely. You’ll be treated just like one of the employees.”

  She grinned. “We might not have to go that far.”

  Our dinners were served before I could answer her. I stared at the pile of food on my plate and was hesitant. It was certainly not quite as appealing as the food I usually received when I ordered a meal at a restaurant, but I was willing to give it a try. I wanted to show her I was open to trying new things and learning more about her world.

  I took a bite and was pleasantly surprised to discover it was actually quite good. She was watching me, waiting for me to say something.

  “I like it.”

  “Good. I had a feeling you would, even with your refined tastes.”

  “What did you call this?” I asked.

  “Country fried steak.”

  I took another bite, bobbing my head up and down as I ate. I was interested to see what other things she could show me here in America. I had been to New York a few times but had never made it to the west side of the country.