Page 30 of Pretend Girlfriend

Joanna

I’m going to ruin this wedding.

My mind raced as Teddy—Theo—sat in the chair opposite me. His eyes bore into mine, first filled with confusion, then accusation.

I quickly pulled out my phone.

Me: It’s not what you think. Don’t make a scene. I’ll explain everything after dinner.

Still scowling at me, Theo pulled out his phone and punched in a response.

Theo: You need to explain NOW. Meet me at the bar in one minute.

“Everyone has a drink but me!” Theo said cheerfully. “The wait staff has their hands full serving the food. I’ll grab a drink at the bar. Mrs. Cozart? You want another Chardonnay?”

“Oh, you’re such a darling, Teddy!” Danicka replied.

He got up and left the room. I counted to twenty. “I’m going to use the little girl’s room before the main course arrives,” I announced. Nobody was paying attention though. Everything was fine. This was all totally normal.

“We have a private bathroom in here,” Marisa said, pointing across the room. I guess someone was paying attention.

“I… I think I saw someone just go in there. I’ll use the one out in the restaurant.”

Marisa shrugged and returned to her salad.

Out in the main restaurant, Theo was leaning against the bar and saying something to the bartender. “I can explain,” I began.

He whirled to face me. “You lied to me!”

“No! I’m lying to all of them!”

“That’s worse! You’re cheating on Landon! He’s such a nice guy, too. I’m keeping that bloody Bedard jersey.”

I grabbed a handful of his button-down and pulled him closer. “Stop talking before you create a lot of unnecessary drama. Landon and I aren’t together. I’m pretending to be his girlfriend for the wedding to keep his family from bothering him.”

“Why the hell would you do that?”

“Because he works for Defense Technologies, and is going to get me a job there. But I can kiss that job goodbye if you blow our story! Remember how I said I have a great story to tell you?” I waved my hand in the direction of the rehearsal dinner room. “This is that story.”

Slowly, the color began to return to Theo’s face. “That’s not as bad as I thought. But still… you’re lying to everyone?”

“You lied about being out of town for two weeks!”

“No,” he replied firmly. “I was at a conference in Columbus. I got back into town an hour ago and came straight here. I have the wedding tomorrow, and then I’m going out of town again—to go on the honeymoon with everyone.”

“Well… you… you…” I tried to think of something else to say. “You lied to me about your name, Teddy!”

“First of all, that’s not even remotely the same thing as what you’re doing. Second, Teddy was my nickname in college. Bradyn and his family still call me that. Not a lie.”

The bartender returned with two glasses of Chardonnay and a double shot of tequila. Theo slid the latter glass toward me.

“What’s this for?”

“I was planning on telling Landon about the two of us, and I thought that would soften the blow of being embarrassed in front of your boyfriend’s family. But I guess now you can have it to calm your nerves.”

I took a long sip of tequila. “I’m just surprised you knew my favorite drink.”

“You told me during our date last week. Personally, I like the strawberry martini better.”

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