Page 5 of Oliver
When she realized I wasn’t leaving, she plastered on a polite smile.
“I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong table,” she said, her voice cautious. “I’m waiting for someone.”
No recognition. None at all.
Something bitter curled in my gut, but I forced a neutral smile.
“I'm from Foxy’s Rent-A-Date."
Her posture eased slightly, though she still eyed me with confusion. "Oh. Right. But I was expecting…" She glanced at her phone. "Someone else."
"Were you?" The words came out sharper than I intended.
She waved a hand vaguely. "Yes, I specifically requested—" She stopped, professional mask snapping into place. "Please, sit."
I didn’t.
"You requested someone specific?"
"Yes." A pause. "But it’s fine. I’m sure you’re perfectly qualified."
"I’m sure I am," I said dryly. "But I'm curious who you were hoping for.”
She straightened slightly, meeting my gaze more directly. "I specifically requested Oliver Beck."
I couldn't help the sharp and humorless laugh. The sound came out harsher than I'd intended, causing a couple at a nearby table to glance our way.
Zahra's expression hardened. "I fail to see what's funny."
"Nothing," I said, pulling out the chair across from her. "Absolutely nothing is funny about this situation."
She studied me, a flicker of uncertainty breaking through. "Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I need Oliver Beck."
I stared at her, momentarily speechless. Was she serious?
“How do you know the Oliver you booked is the Oliver you want?”
“Because I know him.” The certainty in her voice was laughable, considering the situation.
“And if I told you IamOliver Beck?”
She blinked, uncomprehending. "I don’t need you to be Oliver Beck. I need…"
The words died on her lips. I watched the shift—the slow unraveling of certainty as her fingers closed around her glass.
“Before we go further, I should clarify that I have a boyfriend."
"Then why did you hire me?"
Zahra flushed, her eyes standing out even more with the pink coloring her cheeks. Her grip tightened as she lifted the water to her lips. Slow. Stalling.
Then, without meeting my eyes, she said, "It's complicated."
"Complicated enough to pay two months of premium rate for afakeboyfriend?" I studied her, trying to make sense of it, when it clicked. "You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?"
Her eyes flashed with irritation, and after a pause, she rolled her eyes.
"Fine, you caught me," she said with a huff. "I don't have a boyfriend."
