Page 22 of Omega's Pretend Mate
I nodded. “Seven it is. I think business casual should work for what to wear.”
“Ok.”
I escorted Gabe to the door, and watched until he turned out of sight towards the parking lot. Then I took a deep breath.
Was this reckless? Absolutely.
But I wasn’t going to back out either. He needed my help, and I wanted to give it to him.
Besides, this was my one opportunity to be with him, even if it was for show. I’d spend the next year enjoying every kiss and every touch, and when things ended, I’d at least have had a taste of perfection.
That would need to be enough.
Chapter 7 - Gabe
Istared at myself in the mirror and frowned. I needed to call the whole thing off.
It all felt wrong. I was getting ready for a date that meant nothing, with a man I’d wanted to get closer to for years. I wanted to be with him for real, not because he was helping me with a selfish desire to keep my home.
Would I be worthy of an alpha like him after this? Even if I put a stop to everything now, I would forever have the tarnish of having lied for material gain. Not to him, but to my family, and to everybody else.
How could I ask Christian, or anybody else, to respect me after that?
I hated it all: that I’d so selfishly asked him to be part of my scheme, and that I’d been put in that position in the first place.
I wondered if I should call grandfather after all, and tell him what I’d heard.
Evelyn and Ivy would deny it, and grandfather trusted his family, even if he was old fashioned. He’d think it was nothing but a misunderstanding, and it would put the others on notice that I was onto their scheme. At least now I knew their plan, but I might not be prepared for their next attempt if they thought that this avenue was closed.
I shook my head. I wouldn’t run to a sick man for help. He needed to focus on getting better, not family bullshit. Besides, how could I ever prove that I was capable of fending for myself if I begged him to intervene now?
How was marrying Christian fending for myself?
I sighed and straightened my tie. There were no good options. But this route was the one most likely to keep me in my home.
My phone chimed with a notification, and I saw Christian standing outside my door, waving into my doorbell camera.
I took a deep breath.
I can do this. We both know what we’re doing. There’s still plenty of time to back out.
I snagged my phone, then headed out of the bedroom. I just needed to keep my eye on the goal.
Christian beamed at me when I opened the door, looking absolutely amazing in a blazer over jeans and a button-up shirt with an open collar.
I swallowed, willing my cock to behave. I’d seen him in suits for years, and I’d seen him in his pajamas that day at his house. But this was a level of casual I hadn’t realized he could pull off, and damn if I didn’t want more.
Then he produced a bouquet of roses from behind his back, and I wanted to melt against him.
“Are these for me?” I asked, accepting the vibrant blooms.
He chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. “I don’t see any other devastatingly handsome omegas around, do you?”
It’s all for show.
“Thank you,” I said, a vibrant blush heating my face.
Christian leaned in and brushed a kiss over my cheek. “Let’s get them in some water, ok? Then we’ll head out.”
