Page 15 of Would You Rather
He scoffs. “I wouldn’t say I’m begging. Merely asking for something that would be beneficial for both of us.”
“And you need me?” I ask him. “You can’t find anyone else to play your girlfriend?”
He shakes his head, visibly annoyed. “Tried that,” he says. “Ana said it wouldn’t work.”
I know I shouldn’t be. But I’m honestly a little relieved that I’m the only option. I feel my hope brewing up again, but I need to make sure this guy isn’t just going to crash it down again. “Why do you need help anyway?” I ask him. “Aren’t you rich or something?”
He narrows his eyes, his jaw clenching. “You don’t know everything,” he says. “You don’t know me or what my life is like, so don’t act like you do. Just tell me, are you going to help me or not?”
I want to. I do. But having this guy hold my future in the palm of his hands, having the power to shut it down, makes me wary about accepting it. “Not.” I turn from him and walk away. My heart is racing, and I honestly don’t know if that was the right decision or not.
I hear him scoff from behind me. “I knew you’d say that.” My shoulders slump and I stop walking, looking at him from over my shoulder. “I thought you’d look past who you think I am and realize that this could help you, too. More than it could ever help me. But of course, you’d say no to spite me.” He shakes his head. “I knew this would be a waste of time.” He starts to walk away, and my stomach churns. Fuck. If he walks away, that’s it. I would lose this opportunity for good.
“Wait,” I tell him, turning back around. He stops in place and faces me. I let out a sigh. “How long would this be for?” I ask him.
His face lights up, his small smirk making my eyes drift to his lips.Snap out of it.He shrugs. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think it would be for too long. I know you would hate spending more time with me than necessary.” His lips twitch in a smile.
“It would be agony,” I agree.
He nods. “The worst.”
I catch myself smiling and quickly drop it, letting out a sigh. “Can we really pull this off?”
He takes a step closer. “I think we can. We’re both adults. I’m sure we’ll be able to deal with whatever it is we have to do.” He squints, staring at me. “So, is that a yes?” he asks.
“No,” I say, watching as he frowns, and I’m quick to amend. “It’s a maybe.”
He lets out a breath. “That’s all I need. Here,” he says, pulling out his phone from his pocket. “Let me give you mynumber. Take your time and think about it. Don’t make any rash decisions because of a shitty first impression you had of me. Think of everything it will do for you.” He glances up at me and smiles. “And when you’re ready to say yes, give me a call.”
I laugh. “You’re certain I’m going to say yes?”
He shrugs. “It’s worth a try.”
I roll my eyes and tell him my number. Once he saves it, he pockets his phone and smirks. “I’ll be waiting for your call,” he says before he turns around and walks away.
He hasn’t even gotten out of my eyesight yet, and I already know, without a doubt.
I’m going to say yes.
Chapter 7
Only if necessary
“I’m glad you changed your mind.” Ana rounds her desk, dropping into her chair. The smile she gives me is warm and welcoming, and I remind myself I’m only doing this because of everything she said it could do for me.
The biggest reason why I caved and said yes to the offer, however, was hearing Lucas say he needed me. I like that. Feeling needed. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I was needed before. So now I’m here, agreeing to pretend to be his girlfriend.
The door opens behind me, and my head snaps to see Lucas walking inside. I haven’t seen him since last week, and obviously, I knew I’d see him again, but I forgot he looks likethat. Tall and handsome, his wavy hair framing his face perfectly. The way his black t-shirt fits around his biceps makes my eyes drift to them, a few tattoos peeking out, and I force myself to look away, glancing at the coffees in his hand.
I raise my eyebrow, hope lingering within me. Maybe this thing with Lucas won’t be so bad after all. Especially if he brings me coffee every morning.
But when he approaches Ana and hands one over to her, I quickly realize my mistake and slump back in my chair.
“Did you want one?” he asks, eyeing me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know your order.”
I run my tongue over my teeth, needing some caffeine – desperately. “No. It’s fine,” I say.
“So now that you’re both here,” Ana says, taking a sip of her coffee. “We can get started.”
