Page 7 of Yours To Keep
“Hey, don’t put words in my mouth, Magnolia. I may act like a dumbass for fun, but I mean what I say and I say exactly what I mean,” I tell her, keeping my eyes on her as tequila burns a path down my throat. “I would never play games with a woman like you. The prize is too precious.”
I see her breath catch at my confession, but she doesn’t reply. If anything, she looks almost uncomfortable that I would admit I actually find her attractive.
“So talk. What’s got you boohooing in my bar on a Saturday night?” I ask, breaking the tension.
“I just feel like I’m never going to be the person my mother wants me to be,” she says, edging around the truth.
“How do you mean?” Dropping onto the couch, I gesture for her to do the same. She kicks her shoes off and sits on the far side, tucking her legs under her butt and propping her arm up across the back of the couch. She looks so comfortable in my space, like the universe agrees she belongs there.
“My mom has high standards for my sisters and I. They’re simple, but high. Be beautiful, marry rich, maintain your social status. It’s all she cares about,” she says, her voice so fucking sad.
“Well, you’re already killing the first one,” I tell her, a deep red blush creeping up her neck.
“You don’t have to kiss my ass, Iris. I meant it when I said I’m not gonna fuck you either way,” she says, and I laugh.
“I’m just stating the facts, angel. Whether or not you believe me, you are incredibly beautiful,” I tell her, a soft smile spreading across her lips.
“Well, thank you. But my mother doesn’t agree. She says I’m not thin enough, I’m not ladylike, I’m not the perfect princess like my sisters.” She lists all the bullshit that makes her feel unworthy, and I’m surprised at how pissed off it makes me.
“Your mother sounds like a bitch,” I blurt out.
The sound of her melodic laughter fills my living room and I wish I could bottle it up, keeping it safe and mine forever.
“Oh, you have no idea. At family dinner Friday night, she told me Iwillstart dating her best friend’s son. Not optional, not a suggestion, just a demand. This man, who is deplorable by the way, is apparently the one she has chosen for me to marry. I’d rather eat glass than spend even one second with him,” she says, fire blazing in her eyes. It’s nice to see her feisty side make an appearance. I like it much better than the desolate look she had earlier.
“So tell her to fuck off. You’re a grown woman, Magnolia. She has no real control over your life, only what you give her,” I tell her and she shakes her head.
“I wish it was that easy. My father would be disappointed in me for that, I’m sure. And I don’t want to cause him any unnecessary stress,” she says.
“You get along well with him?” I ask, pouring us both another shot.
“My dad? Oh yeah, he’s amazing. Probably the best friend I have, honestly. Which sounds a little pathetic, but it’s the truth. We just spent the day together today, and it’s always when I’m the happiest.” Her beautiful smile is enough to tell me she really means it.
“That sounds great. Your dad sounds cool,” I say, and she nods sweetly. “But what made you so sad tonight?”
“I was so overwhelmed the other night, just listening to my mother go on and on about how Aaron and I were going to get married. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I told my mom I already have a boyfriend,” she says, and my heart sinks a little. She has a boyfriend? How did I not know this?
“Well, that’s good then. He can prevent this whole mess with the shitbag, right?” I ask, trying to seem indifferent.
“Yeah, maybe if it wasn’t a whole ass LIE!” she says, laughing at herself as she downs her third tequila shot. “I don’t have a boyfriend. And today, while I was with my dad, he seemed so excited to meet this imaginary boyfriend of mine that I just couldn’t tell him it was all bullshit. I know he wants me to be happy, and I feel like such a disappointment sometimes. So now I have to find somebody to bring to dinner next weekend because, according to my dad, my mother is justdyingto meet the man who could have fallen head over heels for me.”
Her expression is one of utter defeat, someone who is truly at the end of their rope. I wish I could snap my fingers and solve all her problems, but I’m not a fucking genie. So I suggest the only thing I can think of at this moment.
“I’ll do it. I’ll be your boyfriend, angel.” I say.
She stares at me, eyes wide and expression totally blank. I can’t tell if she’s going to laugh in my face for even suggesting it or run for the hills.
“You’d do that?” She asks quietly, as if she doesn’t believe it herself.
“Yeah. If you need someone to help get your parents off your back, I’d do that for you. Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to sleep with me then either, angel,” I joke, closing the tequila bottle. I don’t want her to assume I’m only suggesting this because we’ve been drinking.
“So you mean like… we fake it? Are you sure you’d be okay with that?” She asks, hope in her eyes for the first time tonight.
“You need help, Magnolia, and I’m more than happy to help you out of this situation. I have some business out of town this week, but I’ll be back Thursday and I can be wherever you need me to be next weekend,” I tell her, knowing I already took a contract that will take me to Eastern Europe until at least Thursday night.
“It wouldn’t be a burden for you? I don’t want-” she says, but I cut her off. I hate the fact that this woman thinks she has to constantly apologize for just existing.
“It’s settled. I’m your boyfriend, angel. Text me sometime this week and let me know when and where I need to be for this dinner, okay?” I ask, and she nods silently.
