Page 42 of Love Me Like It's Real
Isn’t this ridiculous? My own kid pushing me against a corner and telling me what’s what?
“Okay. Maybe I do. But I’m not ready yet. And I wouldn’t want to upset you if Hayworth or any other guy doesn’t work out.”
“Did you have fun last night?”
I turn to Arya and press my lips together. “I mean, it was entertaining. Hayworth is very…silly.”
“But you had a good time?”
Let’s see, if we put aside the fact I was worried about jumping him in front of everyone and mulling over in my head how wrong he is for me, then yeah, I did have a good time.
“I guess so.”
“Awesome! That’s what we want for you, Poppy,” Elsa says.
I’m not sure if I should take this as permission to be slutty with Hayworth but it puts things in perspective.
If all my kids want is to see me happy, then I cantryto be. But I’m not going to jump in the sack in the name of happiness. That’s the last thing I need.
But what if they thought I had a life? It doesn’t mean I have to actually date anyone, but if they think I’m not stuck at home working all the time then they’ll be happy, right?
I may not be ready to date but I can pretend I am. And who better than the dating specialist who doesn’t want any attachments?
“If that’s how you feel, I need to make a call.”
Elsa looks at her sister and they both clap their hands together as I walk away from them and call Hayworth.
He answers on the second ring.
“I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again,” he says.
“You weren’t going to, but…I have a proposal for you.”
“A proposal?” he asks. “Is it indecent?”
I roll my eyes. “Is that all you think about?”
“If the company inspires me.”
I try to hide my sigh but I don’t do a very good job. “No. It’s not indecent. I’m actually reaching out in a professional capacity.”
“Oh…kay,” he says.
“How would you feel about fake dating me for a while? The girls are a little love-obsessed at the moment but they’re happy and at peace because they think I have a life and I’d like to keep things that way for a while.”
“Wow. That’s a first. Are you saying you want me to make your daughters jealous?”
“Not jealous. I just want them to think I have an active dating life and since I’m not ready to actually date anyone, who better to fake date than a professional?”
“Hey! I’m sure that was an insult.”
I chuckle. “Swear to God it wasn’t.”
He hums on the other end of the line and I chew my lip waiting for his response.
“That’s a big commitment. Are you sure you can afford me?”
Shoot. I didn’t think of that. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
