Page 8 of The Bad Wedding Date

“It’s complicated.”

“Always the way.”

I turned to look at Fraser and saw his face was neutral. No further questions were going to be asked, but it felt like he was drawing information out of me without doing anything but looking into my eyes.

“It’s Jonah,” I said with a heavy exhale. “He’s one of my best friends. He was supposed to be here today with me.”

“As your date?”

“Fakedate.”

“What the hell is a fake date?”

“Someone who pretends to be a love interest for the sake of appearances and nothing more. It’s a legit thing. Happens all the time.”

“You learn something new every day.” He leaned back, looking down the bus at the other passengers before turning back to me again. “So, how does that work, exactly? The fake date thing.”

“Well, it’s usually with someone you feel comfortable enough to spend time alone with, but not someone you’re attracted to too much. You don’t want to blur the lines and make the fake date a real date halfway through the night because you’re wearing your wine goggles after one too many glasses. But the fake date must be easy enough on the eye for other people to get jealous of them being with you. That part’s very important for keeping up appearances.”

He smirked, making my stomach twist up when his cheek rose.

“It’s someone who can pretend well, say little, and smile in all the right places. Someone who’ll be on your side one hundred percent for the entirety of the date, even if it’s just a few hours or a full weekend. It’s also someone you usually bribe with, I don’t know, endless amounts of alcohol, spreading rumours about how big their manhood is, or even an all you can eat buffet at the local Chinese restaurant. Oh, and it has to be someone willing to keep all your secrets, too. No excuses.”

“That’s quite a list of requirements.”

“It’s a serious role to take on, even if it does make me a total loser.”

His smile slipped for the first time, and Fraser looked thoughtful. “It doesn’t make you a loser. Everyone needs someone to lean on when things are about to get uncomfortable. You shouldn’t look so ashamed about it.”

“I look ashamed?”

“You look like you’re waiting for my disapproval.”

I had no idea how to respond to that other than to mouth my own surprise. “Oh.”

We sat there staring at each other for a moment too long when I felt the heat begin to rise to my cheeks. He really was beautiful.

“Are you going to be okay today?” he asked with a frown, making me blink quickly and look away.

“I’ll be fine, Fraser.”

Fine.The description of my life and every mood. Everything was always just ‘fine’. Nothing was ever explosive, out of this world, electrifying or beyond anything my dreams could ever have conjured. It was always fine, and somewhere along the way, I’d settled for that. I’d preferred that to the lavish lifestyle of the circle I’d been born into, but that didn’t mean I didn’t crave excitement and adventure. Things that mattered to the soul.

It didn’t mean I didn’t crave a few more minutes with Fraser, too.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

“It was great meeting you, Charlotte. I hope everything goes the way you want it to.” He stood again, gripping onto the metal pole behind the seat in front of him. “My stop is just up ahead.”

“Great meeting you, too, Fraser.” My stomach sank at the thought of him leaving. It had been nice to have his brief attention—a confidence boost. A distraction before the storm.

“Oh, and Charlotte.” He leaned in. “Do me a little favour. Aim for being higher than fine. That’s a rather stale state of being for someone as lovely as you.”

Lovely…

The word rubbed against my skin better than any man’s tongue ever had. The sincerity of it made my cheeks blush pure red, and my voice turn mute.

Fraser lingered for just a moment before he winked and made his way down to the front of the bus. I watched his every step, unable to stop myself from lowering my gaze to his tight arse that was born to wear those navy, tailored trousers. The guy was magnificent, with broad shoulders and a waist even I was envious of. Of course, his butt had to be perfect, too.

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