Page 34 of The Mistletoe Bluff
Blasted Brit
Hello, Maya’s ghost. Why are you up so early?
Me
I think you missed the point of not leaving a message.
Blasted Brit
I’m nothing if not persistent.
Me
That’s one word for it.
What do you want, Oliver?
Blasted Brit
Not a morning person. Got it.
Are you busy today?
Me
I don’t think you’ve earned the right to know whether I’m busy or not.
Blasted Brit
That has yet to be determined, but your BOYFRIEND should know whether you have today off from work.
Me
Good thing you’re not actually my boyfriend.
Blasted Brit
Don’t you think we should work on that?
For a moment, my heart dropped into my stomach.
Blasted Brit
Elsie is right, Maya. If we can’t even convince her, there’s no way my father will believe we’re dating.
He was right, but the thought of spending more time with him while being close and touchy made my hands slick with sweat. The way Oliver had treated me lately had left me confused, questioning all the hate I had ever felt for him. Sure, he still teased me, but instead of mean, it felt more…flirtatious. I found myself struggling to remember if perhaps this was how it always was, and maybe I had misinterpreted it. But, then again, maybe Oliver was just good at faking.
I was so tired of the strange way this man was making me feel that I almost called the whole thing off. I wanted to say, “sorry but I changed my mind. I don’t want to fake date you anymore.” My fingers slammed against the screen as I typed out the message, but a single thought had my thumb pausing above the send button.
If I called off the fake dating, there went any chance of meeting Oliver’s dad, and thus my chance at a possible advantage in winning that photography competition.
As much as I hated the idea of spending more time with Oliver, and dealing with this weird way he kept making me feel, the need to win that prize money was too great. I couldn’t back out now.
Me
*rolling eyes emoji*
You’re insufferable, British man.
