Boyfriend for Hire

by Gail Chianese

  A new life plan—the idea popped into her head the moment she tried to clear her thoughts away. This was why she stunk at meditation. Information superhighway open for business—that was her brain. Everything in her life was great; well, not great, but moving along nicely when she had a plan to follow. Then she’d agreed to give David’s idea a chance. Let life happen. Fat lot of good that did for her.

  Once again the doorbell pealed through the house, hammering a spike into her right temple. Tawny dragged herself up and stumbled to the door, muttering she needed a Do Not Disturb sign. She threw open the door, took one look, and swung it shut. A thud followed by heavy, booted footsteps behind her didn’t stop Tawny from dropping back to the couch and closing her eyes.

  “Go away,” she said.

  “Are you okay? I called your office when you didn’t answer your cell and Stacy said you went home sick,” David asked quietly.

  “Headache.” Go away, I don’t have the energy to deal with you, her mind whispered. She kept the thought to herself, afraid if she voiced it, he’d stay and want to talk, and she really didn’t think she could take the heartache of officially breaking up on top of everything else.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “Peace and quiet?”

  “Did you take anything for it?”

  Did she need a neon sign for him to get a clue? “David, what are you doing here?”

  She finally opened her eyes. He stood in the same spot on the edge of the rug as her mother had done, hands shoved deep into his front jeans pockets, shoulders hunched forward in his black Valentine Rehab tee. He looked like he did every day, except the mischievous twinkle in his eyes and his playful smile were absent.

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “I would be if I could get some rest so this headache will pass,” she ground out through clenched teeth. Why did he have to be so nice?

  He turned to leave, stopping with his hand on the doorknob. “When you’re feeling better, you might want to call your friend Emma from the bank.”

  “Yeah, I heard there was an incident. My mother was not exactly thrilled with me when she stopped by and filled me in on the details.” She leaned forward so she could see him. “How could you betray my trust like that? I mean the thing with Jody, I get it, but you swore you wouldn’t say a thing about why I quit.”

  He walked back into the living room, to that magical spot on the carpet, before responding. “I didn’t mean to break my word. It was out before I realized your mom was standing in the crowd watching. And what about Jody?”

  So not in the mental shape to multitask, she ignored his question and focused on one thing at a time. “Oh, so it was okay to repeat something I told you in private to perfect strangers?” She rubbed at her temple trying to make the pain go away.

  “No, that’s not what I meant. My temper got the better of me. When I heard what Leduc said to Emma and knowing what he did to you, it slipped out. I was just trying to help her.”

  “Of course you were, because you’re David Farber, everybody’s hero. Did Jody need your help too . . . in the tree house?”

  “Yes, she did.”

  “And you just couldn’t help running to her rescue, could you?”

  His head jerked back. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  She fought the tears back. “Exactly what it sounds like.” She wanted to stand, to meet him on his level, but she knew with the way her head throbbed and the way her vision blurred, she’d probably fall, or even worse, pass out. “You know what your problem is, David? You have a hero complex. You can’t help but be the one to step up and help anyone and everyone out. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate what you did for me, but let’s be honest. I’m no longer in need of a knight in shining armor. I can take things from here, so you’re free to return to your player lifestyle and move on to the next damsel in distress.”

  “That’s good to know,” he said, his voice tight and low. “I’d give you my permission to move on to the next guy on your list, but I hear I’m a little late to the party.”

  She shot to her feet, swaying from the sudden movement. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. “Your romantic dinner last night with Ivan—”

  “Was business.”

  “Candlelight, wine, holding hands. Sounds like an interesting benefit package your employer is providing these days. Or maybe you’ve hired Ivan to be your boyfriend to up your cred at work or to make your mom happy?”

  Ouch. Okay, she deserved some of that. “I don’t know who your spy is, but you should know not to believe everything you hear.”

  “And you should know not to believe everything you see.”

  She walked over to stand in front of him, the pain and pressure in her head radiating to her chest. “You know what? We should probably stop now before one of us says something that will completely ruin our friendship or put a strain on our friends.”

  “Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.” He stepped around her and headed out the door.

  Tawny walked up to the door, peered out the window, and watched his truck pull away. Then she turned around, put her back against the cool wood, and sank to the floor, letting the floodgates holding back her tears open.

  Chapter Twenty

  As if the week hadn’t been crappy enough, the sun had to shine, the birds sing their annoying songs, and Tawny was surrounded by happy, laughing people. The bride glowed in her flowing white gown like an angel dropped from the heavens. You’d think at least the groom could show a little decorum and be nervous and anxious and wish he were at the bar down the street. But, no, he couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

  Some days it didn’t pay to get out of bed.

  Today was clearly one of those days. One of the few in the last few weeks where Tawny wished she were still at the bank, where she wouldn’t be surrounded by cheerful, happy, I-want-to-break-out-into-song people. Probably if she looked at it from the bride’s point of view, it was a good thing. For Tawny, who had admitted three days ago when Dave walked out her door that she had fallen in love with the sweet, helpful jerk, today was purgatory. And she’d have to repeat it all over again in a couple of weeks when her best friend got married. And she’d be standing opposite Dave at the altar. And she’d have to live with him in her life forever, knowing he didn’t love her.

  “Tawny, the MOB needs you to send the photographer up to the bridal suite now,” Kerri said through the earpiece Tawny wore.

  “Will do. On my way to check on the flower arrangements.” At least that would keep her and her sour mood away from the beautiful people for a while.

  Outside the florists were busy making last-minute adjustments to the centerpieces, tweaking a lily here, repositioning baby’s breath, small touches that made a difference. Tawny stood to the side, out of their way and observed the worker bees. The place looked amazing and romantic and perfect already with the rose and white linens, the intertwining heart ice sculpture, and the arbor the couple would walk through to begin their life together. Yet it was the small touches the staff fussed with. Scattering rose petals on tables, setting out small dishes of candies and nuts, or positioning chairs to make sure each person had enough room without feeling as if they had been squeezed into a sardine can.

  The guest would barely register these thoughtful acts. Instead they would take them for granted and focus on the bigger items on the agenda (cake, flower tossing, dancing). The bride, oh, she would scan every table, inspect every arrangement, and gaze upon the faces of her guests to make sure they were all happy and everything was perfect.

  Tawny got it. Take Dave, for example. Pretending to be her boyfriend was a huge undertaking. Way above and beyond the boundaries of friendship and she appreciated it. It wasn’t what made her fall for him, though. Nope, it was all those small moments, the thoughtful things he did. Staying by her side, bringing her cupcakes (not that her hips were happy), checking on her whe
n he found out she was sick and sticking up for her friend.

  Why did he have to be such a great guy? Maybe if he weren’t then all the women wouldn’t swoon over him. Oh, whom was she kidding? The guy could be a Class A Jerk, a real bad boy, and women would still line up to toss their panties at him. Maybe then she could actually hate him too.

  “Hey Tawny.” Felicity joined her in the shade of the building. “Everything inside is all set. The groom is pacing and groaning about getting the show on the road, and Kerri said the bride is doing the same upstairs. How’s everything out here?”

  Tawny leaned back against the building and took a quick peek at her checklist before checking her watch. “All set. We should start to direct the guests to their seats.”

  Felicity let out a dreamy sigh. “The only day more special than my wedding day was when my son was born. You know what I mean? Of course not, but you will when it’s yours and Dave’s turn. I bet that man looks good in a tux.”

  “Yeah, about that—”

  Felicity put one finger to her ear and held the other up. “Oops, got to run and greet the JP.”

  Drats. It would have been so easy to slip the breakup information to Felicity and then let the news spread like wildfire. Not that her colleague was a gossip, but she did like to talk. No big. Not really the time or place to discuss her wretch of a love life. Monday would be soon enough to break their hearts when she told them David wouldn’t be stopping by work anymore. Poor Stacy. The girl would be devastated.

  “Tawny, glad I caught you alone.” Phil (now she remembered his name) blocked her from entering the building.

  “What’s up,” Tawny asked.

  He stared off in the distance, not responding for several very long, long seconds. “I know we don’t know each other well, and what you do with your life isn’t my business. Dave’s my friend.” He paused again, scratched his chin, and sighed.

  “Okay, great for you and talking to you and all, but Kerri just buzzed me that she wants the guests seated now. The bride is ready.”

  He didn’t budge. “Look, I think it’s rotten you stepping out on Dave. He’s a great guy. You were lucky to have found him and I don’t think you’re going to find better.” Phil turned without another word and headed around the side of the building.

  Oh, that’s precious. Phil the Pill didn’t approve of her cheating on David, even though she didn’t do it. What about him messing around with another woman on her? How does Phil even know? And then it hit her. He was David’s spy, the person who saw her with Ivan and misinterpreted the scene in the retelling. Wait! What did he mean by he didn’t think she’d find better? Did he think David would find better? And what was that crack about her being lucky? Whatever; as Phil admitted himself, he didn’t really know Tawny.

  Quickly and quietly Tawny rounded up the guests and asked them to take their seats. She didn’t have time to analyze Phil’s comments or think about David, except she couldn’t keep the guy out of her mind.

  Kerri buzzed her through her earpiece to check on the progress of the guests. “Give me another thirty seconds and they’ll all be in place. Phil can send out the guys and the JP.”

  Tawny approached the last two couples chitchatting and let them know the wedding was about to start. As soon as all of the guests were seated she slipped inside to check on the moms. She slipped a small package of Kleenex into each of their hands, assured them they looked fabulous, and sent them to their seats on the arms of two very handsome groomsmen. The groom and the JP walked down the aisle next, passed under the arbor, and came to stand under another trellis fully decked out in roses of every color. She hadn’t been in on the planning for this event, but she’d guess they’d spent easily over twenty thousand on the florist alone.

  They could have bought a car and had it a lot longer.

  “Okay, checked on the caterer and they are all set and ready to go. What a relief this day has been. Some weddings have everything go wrong from the start. Almost like a sign from the heavens above that the marriage wasn’t to be. You know what I mean?” Felicity had slipped into place next to Tawny inside the venue hallway where they could help out of sight of the guests. “And then some, like this one, everything goes perfect and you just have to think they’re going to have a great life together.”

  Tawny glanced up the stairs as the women started their descent. First would be the bride’s four-year-old niece, who had practiced throwing her flower petals not once, but three times already today. The kid was a pro. She could rent her out by the wedding to other brides and make a killing. The little girl smiled at Tawny and stood next to her mom, waiting her turn. You could see her fingers itching to toss those petals.

  “You could be on to something, Felicity. At my brother’s wedding we couldn’t find him right before the ceremony. Turns out he and his fiancée were making out in the bridal room. Those two can’t keep their hands off each of other still, as evidenced by my many nephews and my niece.”

  The bridesmaids took their position and off they went, one after the other, right on time. The MOH kissed her friend and stepped out onto the grassy carpet to take her place at the altar. The bundle of cuteness danced her way to the doorway, dug her hand into the basket, and tossed petals straight up into the air. So much for her rent-a-flower girl business. Tawny, Felicity, and the bride all laughed while the flower girl’s mom rushed to her and reminded her to toss the petals on the ground in front of her. The girl nodded, stepped out, and threw a handful at the guests on each side.

  The bride stepped up with her dad at her side, dressed in head-to-toe traditional white complete with a veil over her face. She looked up, her gaze trained on the end point, and a slow, dreamy smile graced her face. “I’m ready, Dad.”

  Kerri joined her and Felicity to watch the bride meet her groom, but Tawny wasn’t watching the bride anymore. She had her eyes on the groom. Who in turn had his gaze glued on his bride.

  She wanted that. A guy who looked at her as if she were his entire world. Until a week ago, she’d thought, yeah, maybe he could be the one. Had hoped he felt the same way. Then he had to go and be a guy and follow his head.

  “What?” Phil and a couple of the other NEES employees had joined them to watch the procession of the bride, who now stood in front of the groom.

  “When this is over we’re going to head over to the bar and celebrate a job well done. You want to join us? You could invite Dave,” one of the women said.

  “Yeah, we haven’t seen Dave since the ball game. Troy has been asking after him,” Kerri chimed in as she ran down her checklist.

  “Yeah, Tawny. Invite Dave.” Phil sneered at her.

  “Hey.” Felicity stepped into the circle. “Kerri and I could call the guys and Phil can invite his wife and we can make it a party. Dave promised he’d teach me how to play darts.”

  They went on and on. Dave this and Dave that. Isn’t Dave great? He’s so fun, and the way he stepped in and helped Mr. Spinelli was amazing. Tawny tried to tune them out and focus on what was going on outside. You know, doing her job.

  Felicity sighed next to her. “I love doing weddings. So romantic. Promise me, when you and Dave tie the knot, you’ll let me plan your wedding,” she pleaded.

  Oh my gawd. She had to end this now. “There won’t be a wedding,” she said, her voice a breath above a whisper.

  “Why not?” Felicity’s perky smile dropped to a shocked gap.

  “What?” echoed everyone except Phil.

  “It’s over,” she screamed. “It was never real, he was faking it the whole time. It was one big lie and he’s moved on. So no wedding. Not now. Not ever.”

  Once the floodgates opened, she couldn’t shut off the emotions or words pouring out of her. “I’m sorry. So, so very sorry we lied to you. I lied to you. But I needed the job after I quit mine at the bank and my former boss blacklisted me because he was afraid word would get around the financial district that he was a douchebag who thinks the only position a woman belongs in is on
her knees.”

  She took a deep breath and looked at all the dropped jaws and wide-eyed stares and went on. “I didn’t plan on deceiving anyone. It wasn’t my intention, but then Mrs. S was talking about work-life balance, and I have none. Well, I had none before this job, and I was so afraid if I said all I did was work she wouldn’t hire me. So Dave stepped up to pretend to be my boyfriend and then . . .”

  “Then what?” Felicity asked, not angry at all, but like a kid sitting in story time.

  “I fell for him. I mean, I’d always had a thing for David, but he was kind of a player, so I kept my distance. During these last couple of months, he stole my heart and then I caught him sneaking off with someone else. It’s over.”

  Tawny caught Kerri’s gaze as it moved from Tawny to over her shoulder. “Um, Tawny.” She pointed behind Tawny and it hit . . . the wedding.

  Oh gawd. She’d just lost it in front of not only her coworkers, but also an entire wedding party. Slowly Tawny turned around to find not just shocked faces or outrage but the bride and groom standing in the doorway. Neither said anything at first and then the bride rushed her. Tawny braced, expecting the petite brunette to slap her, rip her hair out, scream—all of which she deserved. She did not expect to be enveloped in her arms.

  The bride pulled back and looked into Tawny’s misty eyes.

  “I’m so sorry,” Tawny cried. “I don’t know what came over me. I’ll go now.”

  The bride looped her arm through Tawny’s and led her to a bench down the hall away from the others. “Oh, honey, don’t apologize. Y’all just gave all my stuffy soon-to-be in-laws a story to retell for years. As for me and mine, we’re from the South. Crazy’s our middle name.”

  Tawny sniffled. “Apparently it’s mine too.”