Page 37 of The Santa Swap

“I met someone,” Susan said. “I wasn’t trying to, because I actually do take any relationship seriously. Even fake ones.”

“Ah hah! I thought it was a guy. Tell me about him.” Luke had talked to Susan about a number of men she had liked in the past. Usually, she was strong and in control of the situation. This time, though, she was acting almost shy.

“Remember the fiasco with my car? When I took it to the car wash and the car in front of mine got stuck?”

Luke nodded. Susan had been stuck at the carwash for hours waiting for a simple detailing job.

“Well, Harrison was stuck at the car wash too. His car was the one behind mine.”

“Harrison?” Luke raised an eyebrow.

“Hey. No making fun of his name. Anyway, we began talking, and I didn’t think anything of it. But then when we left the car wash, he asked for my number.”

“And you, being the kind person that you are, couldn’t tell him no.” Luke knew Susan’s go to move. She’d give someone her number to save face, and then immediately block them the first time they texted. It was the easiest way to get people off her back.

Susan shrugged, holding her hands up in front of her. “It’s what I do.”

“Something tells me you didn’t immediately block him. What happened?”

When a dreamy smile crossed Susan’s face, he knew she was smitten. “It was a simple thing, really. He didn’t text me for about a week, and when he did, his text was so stupid, I couldn’t stop laughing.”

“I’m genuinely happy for you. And yeah. We can definitely fake a break up. Olivia will barely talk to me unless it is work related, so I’m not too worried about the paparazzi bothering her anymore.”

Susan put her feet up on Luke’s desk. “So, how do we want to do it? Something big and flashy? I could dump water on your face when we are at the restaurant.”

Luke grimaced. “You did that one when we broke up for real. I wasn’t a fan then, and I don’t think that has changed.”

“The basics then? Maybe a shouting match right outside the building? I know we haven’t had articles appearing in the paper, but I swear I saw some guy following me to work today.”

“That would work.” Luke rubbed the stubble on his chin. “We could tip them off just in case. I mean, yelling at you could be fun but I really only want to do it once.”

Susan smiled. “Okay. What should our epic fake breakup fight be about?”

* * *

By the time5:30 rolled around, Luke’s leg couldn’t stop jiggling. He was about to say some pretty mean things to a woman that he respected a lot. Even though the break up was a ruse, he knew he’d leave it feeling like a jerk.

Susan was waiting by the elevator for him. “Are you ready?” she asked.

Luke nodded.

“Me too. I put on my worst mascara. It runs if I even think about crying. That should give the press some fun photos.”

The doors were starting to close when Luke stepped forward and pulled Susan into a hug. “I hope this guy is worth the humiliation, because I’m not sure he deserves someone as great as you. Thanks for always being a great friend.”

Susan was resting her cheek on his chest when the elevator door slid back open. Olivia was standing outside, her carefully concealed mask dropping when she saw the couple.

“Sorry, guys,” she said. “I thought your elevator had already gone down.”

“It’s been a little glitchy today,” Susan said, stepping back.

Luke nodded and pushed himself back against the wall to make a little more room. He closed his eyes when Olivia stepped on, taking a deep breath. Breaking up with Susan was supposed to be a public affair, but he didn’t realize Olivia would be front and center to watch the entire show.

A couple more employees joined them on the ride down, pressing Olivia and Susan close to Luke. Luke turned his head towards Susan’s direction so he wouldn’t have to smell the perfume Olivia was wearing. Otherwise, he was going to grab the wrong woman when he stepped out of the elevator.

By the time they reached the lobby, the elevator was full. Luke reached for Susan’s arm, holding her back so Olivia would have time to head to the parking lot. He whispered to her to wait but Susan misunderstood.

“You know, I’m sick and tired of you always telling me what to do,” she said, raising her voice loud enough to quiet all the conversations in the lobby.

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