Page 29 of Boyfriend Maintenance

Kitty will probably hate it which almost makes me giddy.

He holds his hand out to me as I scoot across the back seat of the car. I take his hand as he helps me out. I brush the back of my skirt down and look up at him.

He’s watching me intently.

“You look beautiful, Emmy.” My hand is still in his and he brings it up to his lips and kisses the back of my hand.

Cue more tingles.

“Are you ready?” he asks as he lowers our hands but doesn’t let go.

“It’s now or never.” We start walking up the steps and I mumble, “It’s been five years, how bad can it be?” My words don’t go unnoticed, he lifts an eyebrow, but I ignore it and knock on the massive, dark wood, front door.

It opens immediately and a maid I don’t recognize ushers us in.

The obnoxious clacking of her heels announces her entrance before her words and I remind myself to keep my cool. “Emerson, nice of you to join us. I see you remembered how to get here.”

“That was fast,” Jake whispers. Kitty appears out of thin air before the door behind us is even closed.

I bite back a smile. Yes, yes, it was. “I lived here for eighteen years, Kitty, I don’t suspect I’ll ever forget,” I mutter, leaning in to kiss her cheek while she does the same.

When she’s done with the pleasantries, she grips my forearms and studies my outfit. She makes a snooty sound from her nose. “What are you wearing, Emerson? You look like a beach bum.” I call it a win when she drops her hands and gives her attention to Jake, who straightens his shoulders. “Jake, it’s lovely to see you again.”

I’m impressed she’s saying nice things even though she clearly doesn’t mean them because the disdain on her face is hard to miss.

“Mrs. King, you have a lovely home.”

She nods in agreement just as another knock comes at the door behind us. “Oh, please, Emmy, don’t crowd the door.” She shoos us away.

“I’m ready for that drink now.” Jake chuckles in my ear.

I drag him through the grand entryway into the parlor where one of my father’s many small bars is located. It’s stocked with all the standard alcohol but for today’s event it even boasts a bartender.

Over the next hour or so, Jake’s hand never leaves the small of my back. He stands close and whispers in my ear a commentary of what he sees. The room is filled with people gossiping and kissing ass. It’s comical yet sad to see it from an outsider’s perspective. This is a life I don’t miss at all.

He jokes and kisses my cheek. When we sit to watch Darcy and Levi open gifts, he holds my hand. The warmth between us is obvious, I just don’t know if it’s real. Is this all for show? Or is it because he can’t keep his hands to himself? I’m not sure I’m going to be able to get through another two events with him without knowing where we stand outside of this fake boyfriend gig. I’d be an idiot to think this is anything other than what it was supposed to be.

After the gifts are opened, Jake looks for the bathroom while people scatter for cake. After directing him to the spacious half bath, I turn around and find Levi is walking toward me. We chat for several minutes. Even though it's about nothing special, it's nice to feel like myself for a few moments and not like I am in a cage or on display. Just as I realize that Jake's been gone longer than I would have expected, Darcy's mother pulls Levi away. After standing there for another minute longer, I take one last look at my watch and decide to go find my fake boyfriend. I'm assuming he probably got lost in the crowded maze of this house. The hall toward the bathroom is tucked back and away from the parlor, so there are not many people walking around. Just as I’m about to turn the corner, I stop when I hear Jake's voice.

“Look, I’m really not interested.” He sounds firm.

“Oh, come on. A man like you, you must be interested.” It’s Darcy’s voice I hear in response.

My eyes narrow.

“Darcy, you’re a very pretty woman, but I’m dating Emmy. I like her a lot and the last thing I’m going to do is jeopardize that relationship.” I peek around the corner. They are facing each other, neither one sees me. Jake removes Darcy’s hand from his chest. “Not to mention, you’re getting married to Emmy’s brother.”

“It’s alright, no one has to know. I’ve been watching you, Jake, and I’m interested.” Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me that Darcy is making a play at Jake. She did this kind of thing all through high school. She was always stealing other girls’ boyfriends. Or at least tried to. I was quite surprised when I found out Levi was marrying her. She’s bad news.

I contemplate helping him out, but he doesn’t need it. “You need to walk away, or I’ll have to tell Levi.”

She huffs and snaps back, “Fine, you couldn’t handle this”—she waves her hand down the length of her body—“anyways.” She turns to stomp away, and I realize she’s coming right toward me. I panic and scurry back the way I came, ducking behind a large floor vase at the last minute. Peeking through the wisps of plant leaves, I see her turn into the hallway that leads to the kitchen. I sigh with relief as I straighten and head back for Jake.

As I turn the corner, I see him standing in the same spot as before but he’s facing away from me. His hands are in his hair and he’s clearly agitated. When I get a little closer I hear his voice. He’s mumbling to himself, “Fuuuck. I’ve got to tell her.”

I smile. He’s so cute, all worried and stressed out. I could play the whole, clueless act, but games aren’t my thing. Clearly, he’s upset and knows he’s got to tell me.

“Wow, you are a man whore.” I chuckle. I might not like mind games, but I’m one hundred percent on board with teasing.

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