Playing Pretend

When the clock struck five, I was more than ready to call it a day. I was about to make my exit when Brennan emerged from his office and joined me on the way to the elevator.

The elevator was packed with people heading home, so we didn’t exchange words. But as I stepped out into the lobby, I felt a gentle tug on my arm.

I turned to see Brennan.

“Just wanted to confirm that 7:30 a.m. works for you tomorrow?” His voice was clear, his demeanor back to the polished, bachelor businessman I was familiar with.

I nodded, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.

“How did you get here today?”

“I took the subway,” I answered. “I always take the subway.”

I glanced at the grand marble clock in the lobby. If I didn’t hurry, I’d miss the next train.

“I need to get going, Brennan,” I said, starting to head for the exit. If I picked up the pace, I could make it.

“I can give you a ride,” he offered, stumbling slightly over his words. “I’m going that way anyway.”

“Okay. That’d be nice.”

We walked in silence to the parking garage. The last time I’d been in Brennan’s car, I’d been a complete wreck.

I pushed away the wave of grief that threatened to overwhelm me and made my way to the passenger side of the car.

Brennan unlocked the car and we both climbed in. I fastened my seat belt.

“Do I need to pack anything for the wedding?” I asked softly once Brennan started the car.

“No. My mother has already, um, arranged a shopping trip for you on Saturday. I hope that’s okay.”

I smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

“Well, I’ll give you my credit card. Buy whatever you want,” he said.

“I can pay for myself, Brennan,” I shot back.

“I know you can, Grace. But I’m the one who dragged you into this. The least I can do is cover the expenses while we’re there.” His tone was firm. He wasn’t going to budge on this.

I sighed. This was a fight I didn’t have the energy for.

“Fine,” I conceded.

“Good,” Brennan chuckled. “So, have you figured out what you’re going to do after you leave?”

I looked out the window and sighed.

“I managed to end my lease early and a moving company is coming to pick up my keys tonight. They’ll pack up while I’m away. Then I’m heading to my dad’s at the end of the week.”

“You’re leaving so soon?” Brennan sounded surprised. He paused, clearing his throat. “Sorry. I guess I just didn’t realize. I’m glad things are working out for you.”

“To be honest, I didn’t know either until my landlord said I could end the lease early if I was out by Wednesday. That kind of sped things up.”

The rest of the drive was quiet.

***

Brennan pulled up to my apartment building and turned off the car. “Thanks for doing this, Grace. I know it’s strange.”

I didn’t respond, mostly because I couldn’t explain why I was doing it. I didn’t know why I’d agreed to his proposal, other than Brennan offering to end my contract early.

I nodded as I unbuckled my seat belt. I opened the door and got out. “At least I’m not a crying mess today,” I joked, glancing at Brennan’s stone-faced expression.

He forced a smile that barely moved his face, then turned his attention back to the road and started the car again.

“See you in the morning, B.”

“See you then, G.”

I closed the car door and walked into my apartment building.

I changed into a tracksuit and texted my college friend Belle. I needed someone to talk to.

By the time she arrived, I’d managed to pick at a chicken salad for dinner. I filled her in, watching her face change as I delved deeper into the story.

“I can’t believe you’re moving just like that!” Belle exclaimed, pouring wine into two glasses, filling them almost to the brim.

“It’s time,” I murmured.

Belle was one of the few people I’d kept in touch with after college. Her being here meant I’d always have a reason to visit New York.

“Time, schmime,” she scoffed, handing me one of the full glasses.

“If you and Mr. Boss Man would just admit the simmering attraction between you, maybe all this turmoil you’re putting yourself through would disappear.”

“Attraction?! Belle, the man can’t settle down. He avoids his family like the plague. I am not his type, and he is not mine.

“You and my mom would have gotten along well. She always assumed there was more than there was.” I took a sip of the wine.

Belle shook her head and took my wine, setting both glasses down on the coffee table. She sat down on the couch and took my hands in hers.

“Maybe that’s because you talk about him every time I see you. Not to mention I’ve seen you two together—at that Christmas luncheon last year.”

“He was there with another woman,” I reminded her.

“And he spent most of his time talking to you.”

“About work,” I replied, although to be honest, I couldn’t remember exactly what we’d been discussing.

“Well, if there’s no reasoning with you, I insist we spend this weekend getting absolutely shitfaced.” Belle giggled, picking up the wine glasses again and handing one back to me.

“There’s a new club opening in town. We’ll go tomorrow night.”

I bit my lip and lifted the wine glass to my lips, downing the large amount of wine in one gulp. I set the glass down and took a deep breath.

Belle was looking at me, her eyes wide and a puzzled smile on her face. “We probably shouldn’t get wasted tonight, Grace. It’s a work night.”

I didn’t want to spill the beans. I could already feel her judgment, and I hadn’t even said anything yet. But I had no choice. I couldn’t go out with her this weekend.

“I’m out of town this weekend,” I mumbled. “Sort of a business trip.”

“A business trip?” Belle echoed, sounding even less certain than I did. She leaned back on the couch, shaking her head. I could feel the guilt rising.

I was a terrible liar, even on a good day. I had no idea why Brennan thought it was a good idea to rope me into this scheme.

“Brennan’s sister is getting married. His family doesn’t approve of him because he’s not what they want him to be, and he didn’t want to show up as a disappointment.

“So he said he’d waive my notice period if I went with him and pretended to be his fiancée.” I blurted it all out in one breath, nearly gasping for air when I finished.

“Whoa,” Belle responded. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Tell me I’m not crazy for agreeing to this,” I pleaded.

Belle shook her head. “You’re not crazy.”

“I’m not?” I asked.

I felt crazy. This felt crazy. I reached for the wine bottle and poured myself another glass.

“I think this wild crush you’ve been hiding under your workload for the past three years is making you do something totally crazy...but I don’t think you’re crazy,” she said, a playful smile on her face.

“Crush? Belle, I...” I stopped. Suddenly, I felt sweaty and hot, but I wasn’t sure why. “I don’t have a crush on him. I’ve seen firsthand how he treats women. They’re just objects to him. A way to pass the time.”

I picked up my wine glass and took a sip.

“We always want what we can’t have. It’s like we’re programmed to make dumb decisions.”

“Speak for yourself,” I shot back. “Remember my last date? He was a dumb decision that I literally ran away from.”

Belle laughed, then drained her glass. She set it down on the coffee table and looked at me. “Let’s say I believe you when you say you don’t have lustful thoughts about your boss anymore.”

“I don’t.” I smiled sweetly.

“That’s going to make pretending to be in love with him harder,” she pointed out, concern in her voice.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe his parents will see right through us. I shook off the thought.

“They’ll be busy with the wedding. I’m sure once the initial excitement wears off, they won’t be paying much attention to us,” I said softly.

“Even so, you and Brennan need to come up with a believable story. One that’s close to the truth, because you’re a terrible liar.”

I nodded and took another sip of my wine. She was right, and we both knew it.

Belle left around midnight. I packed my suitcase for the trip, took a shower, and crawled into bed.

***

When my alarm went off, I didn’t feel ready for the day, let alone the weekend. I wouldn’t be back home until Monday, when my apartment would be all packed up.

Life was moving too fast. I barely had time to catch my breath.

I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower. I put on my usual work clothes: a pencil skirt and a white blouse, then stood in front of the mirror.

I looked like a PA, which was fine because I was one, but Belle’s words had been echoing in my mind.

My ability to lie convincingly was limited, and showing up looking like a PA wasn’t going to help. Sure, Brennan’s family knew I was his PA, but I didn’t need to show up looking like I did at work.

I went to my closet and pulled out a sundress I’d bought last summer but never wore because I didn’t have a social life. It was floral and flowy.

I was usually a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, but I’d bought the dress with the intention of going out more that summer. Of course, that never happened.

I draped it over my arm and grabbed my suitcase, then headed downstairs to wait for Brennan. I stepped into the elevator and rode it down to the ground floor.

When the doors opened, Brennan was standing there. His eyes widened.

“I thought I’d come up and help you with your luggage.”

“There’s no need for chivalry, Brennan.” I laughed. “We’re only pretending to be engaged.”

Brennan chuckled and took the suitcase anyway. “Humor me.”

I shrugged and followed Brennan out of the elevator and the building.

“What’s with the dress?” he asked as we reached his car.

“I thought I might change before we leave work. I don’t think I should show up looking like I do every day at work.”

“Oh, yeah. I guess,” he mumbled. “It looks nice.”

“Uh, thanks.”

Brennan put my suitcase in the trunk of his car and hung the dress in the back. I got in the passenger seat and buckled my seatbelt. We were almost at work when Brennan spoke.

“My parents are looking forward to meeting you,” Brennan said, swiping his card at the parking garage entrance.

The yellow and red barrier lifted, and Brennan stepped on the gas. The car hummed in sync with my suddenly racing heart.

“I’m a little nervous, if I’m being honest,” I admitted.

“There’s no need to be. Just be yourself. They’ll love you,” Brennan assured me.

I looked at him, my face probably showing my confusion. Brennan wasn’t the type to say things like that. He looked at me and shrugged.

“I’m just trying to help.” He grinned. “You’ll be fine, Grace.”

I nodded and pulled my purse up from the floor onto my lap.

“Do we need a backstory?” I asked.

“A backstory?” Brennan seemed puzzled as he parked his car.

“Your folks know I’m your assistant, Brennan. They’re going to question when things shifted.”

Brennan laughed and switched off the car. “They’ll just be thrilled thinking I’ve finally settled down. They won’t bother about a backstory.”

I sighed, opening the car door. Brennan got out too, coming around to my side. He handed me the dress.

“If you think we need one, then you decide what it is.”

I nodded and headed for the elevator.

Once we were in the office, I hung the dress in the coat closet and settled at my desk. I opened a chat box with Brennan and started typing.

Brennan saw the message instantly. He started to type a reply but then stopped. I closed the chat box and began working on some files.

A few minutes later, the chat box flashed. I clicked on it and read Brennan’s response.

I frowned. He was right. I’d agreed because it meant he would waive the required notice period. But I wasn’t entirely sure I’d have said no under different circumstances if Brennan had explained his family situation.

I deleted the sentence and sighed.

Again, I deleted my words.

I heard Brennan chuckle from his office. I smiled and leaned back in my chair.

I wasn’t sure what Brennan’s parents were like. Sure, I’d spoken to them on the phone a few times, but those calls usually ended quickly when I reiterated that Brennan was ‘in a meeting’ whenever they called.

I knew they owned a winery. Wolf wine bottles were way beyond my budget, but I was well aware. Anyone who could use Google knew who they were.

The day dragged on painfully slow. I wasn’t sure if it was nerves or excitement, but I told myself it was nerves and tried to concentrate on work.

Brennan left the office at lunchtime and returned with a bag of shopping. He paused before his door and held up the bags.

“I thought I should change too. I don’t want to wear a suit when I get to my parents’ house.” He smiled.

I smiled back. “Smart move.”

Brennan nodded and went into his office. At four o’clock, I left to shower in the ladies’ bathroom. I changed into the dress, let my hair down, and applied more makeup than I usually did.

I stared at myself in the mirror and gulped. Brennan hadn’t seen me like this. I’d saved this kind of look for formal events.

I sighed and hung my work clothes over the hanger before leaving the bathroom and heading back to the office.

Brennan wasn’t in his office when I got back, so I went to the closet behind my desk and put my work clothes inside. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I can do this.

Pretending to be in a relationship couldn’t be that hard. Sure, I didn’t have much experience in them to know how to act, but I had my extensive rom-com knowledge to rely on.

I turned around just as the office door opened. Brennan walked in, dressed in black jeans, boots, and a navy-blue button-up shirt.

I swallowed hard. I didn’t know what to say or think. My eyes were struggling to adjust to the almost-casual Brennan.

It struck me that I’d only seen him in suits where the only thing that ever changed was his tie in varying shades of green. We both stood in the room in silence for an almost uncomfortable length of time.

I forced myself to meet Brennan’s gaze. The eye contact broke the silence, and I let out the breath I felt like I’d been holding forever.

“You look different,” I whispered.

Brennan frowned and tugged at his shirt. “Oh? Should I change back…?”

I raised my eyebrows. It wasn’t like Brennan to be self-conscious. He’d always been the most confident person I knew. I shook my head.

“Relax. It’s a good different. I’m just not used to seeing you out of suits, Brennan.”

Brennan smiled and pointed at me. “You’re one to talk, Grace. You look stunning.”

I forced myself to ignore the slight flutter in my stomach. I smiled and shrugged. “I tried.”

“Before I forget,” Brennan said, walking toward me. He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a ring box.

The flutter tightened. I wanted to slap myself for being so naive. This was all pretend. Probably even the ring.

In three days we’d be on our way home and this would all be just a memory.