Page 30 of Faking It With My New Boss

“I agreed to pretend we are engaged for the fundraising party,” she said. “The whole point was that we weren't going to get too involved with this. An engagement party is pretty damn involved.”

“I know. I know it's a big, big ask. But think of it this way. His place is absolutely gorgeous, which should appeal to your interior design roots. And a lot of his friends are a little bit shady, which might be fun for your lawyer side.” She let out a short laugh and I knew I was reeling her in. “It will be like a little vacation. We stay in a beautiful room, get spoiled, and relax. And all we have to do is be cute and smile at people.”

Courtney thought about it for a second, but finally she sighed and nodded.

“Alright.”

I grinned. “Perfect. I promise it won't be as bad as you're thinking it will be.”

Chapter Nineteen

Courtney

I couldn't believe I was doing this. I had just wrapped my head around the idea of shoehorning myself into the position of an assistant so I could make the extra money I needed. But this was all coming at me so fast and I felt like I was just getting deeper and deeper into this mess.

I was just trying to go to school. I just wanted to take the leap and finally pursue the dreams I had for myself by reaching for the career I always wanted. Then somehow I ended up getting mistaken for an already hired assistant and now I was pretending to be engaged to my boss and getting ready to go be trotted out in front of all his grandfather's rich friends.

All in all, it was completely overwhelming. Especially when I added in the intensity of my attraction to Bryan.

The additional complication that brought up wasn't lost on me. I had fully intended on keeping all the details of my sexual history to myself. After all, that wasn't exactly something people had a casual chat with their bosses about. Of course, people didn't usually sit around a campfire toasting marshmallows while faking a several months-long romantic relationship with them, either. Now probably wasn't the time for me to start comparing my experience with other people.

Vanessa thought I did the right thing by telling him. I needed to be upfront and honest, to give him the full picture of me and what this whole situation meant. She was even more on board for the whole thing when she showed up for a late dinner at my place and I showed her the thick stack of bills Bryan gave me to go shopping with.

“This is going to be so much fun!” she gushed.

“Really?” I asked. “I'm not so sure about it. It feels weird.”

“Why? He didn't give you the money and tell you it was payment for sleeping with him, did he?” she asked.

I cringed. “No. It's for clothes for the weekend. We're supposed to be at this estate for a couple of days and he wanted to make sure I had everything I needed for anything that might come up. Including a dress for the actual party.”

“See? So he was actually being courteous. You're doing a huge favor for him. It's the least he can do to make sure your expenses are covered.” Vanessa could say I still wasn't completely convinced. “Just think of it as a bonus. Consider it a down payment on the wardrobe for when you are a fancy lawyer and need to go to big events.”

“Yep,” I said. “Because nothing says reliable lawyer like a little bit of fraud.” Vanessa let out a burdened sigh and I relented. “Alright. I'll take the money and go shopping. But you have to come with me and help.”

She looked at me incredulously. “I didn't realize there was an alternative.”

The next day, I took the second half of the work day off so I could meet Vanessa in the nearby shopping district. She looked like she was ready to bounce out of her skin with excitement when I pulled up. Apparently, my expression wasn't thrilled enough for her and she gave me a pouty look.

“I'm here,” I said as if in my defense. “But I feel like I've taken more time off work than I have actually worked. Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of having the job to make the money to go to school?”

“He's still paying you, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you're still doing all the work to plan the fundraiser?”

“Yes.”

“And adding on extra hours by doing all this fake relationship stuff?”

“Well… yes.”

“Then I think you have more than made up for it. Come on. Let's have some fun,” she said, taking my hand and pulling me toward the first store.

The whole situation was having definite Vivian and Edward vibes for me as we walked into the store and a single mention of Bryan's name had the store clerks flocking to me to help.

“Did you really need to mention him?” I asked Vanessa in a low whisper as we followed a chattering pair of women toward the dressing rooms at the back of the store.

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