Page 3 of Staging Love
"Are you serious?” Jade bit her lip, clearly happy with that. "Wouldn't your family know you're not really engaged?"
"My parents aren’t around anymore and my extended family don't know much about my personal life," Camilla explained. "I've been... private about my relationships. It wouldn't be out of character for me to surprise them with a fiancée."
Jade still looked uncertain. "So, what exactly would I have to do?"
"Just be yourself," Camilla said, warming to her plan. "Or rather, be yourself as my loving, devoted fiancée. We'd need to come up with a backstory, of course. How we met, fell in love, all that. But mostly, you'd just need to be charming and affectionate in front of my family."
"And you're sure this isn't some weird sex thing?" Jade asked, eyeing Camilla suspiciously.
Camilla laughed again, surprised at how easy it was to do so around this strange, woman. "I promise, it's not. Though we might have to share a room to keep up appearances. Would you be okay with that?"
Jade took a deep breath, then shook her head. "Honestly, I don’t trust you, but…" She blew out her cheeks. “I suppose we could meet up to discuss it over a drink?”
“Yes, of course. No problem,” Camilla said quickly. “Anything to make you feel more comfortable. Here’s my card so you can look me up. You know, to make sure I’m not shady.” She handed Jade her card. “Call me to arrange a meeting?”
Jade took the card and read it aloud. “Camilla Parker. Marketing Director Cupid’s Gifts.” She frowned. “Wait, Cupid's Gifts? Aren't you guys the ones who do all those over-the-top romantic gestures? Like, didn't you once fill an entire apartment with roses for some guy's proposal?"
Camilla chuckled. "That's us. Though I prefer to think of our gestures as 'loving' rather than 'over-the-top'."
"Well," Jade said with a subtle eye-roll, "I guess if anyone needs a fake fiancée, it would be someone from the love business. Talk about practicing what you preach, huh?"
Camilla felt a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You have no idea," she murmured. Then, louder, "So, about that drink?"
Jade tucked the card into her pocket and gave Camilla a long, appraising look. "Alright, Ms. Cupid. How about tonight? But just to be clear, I’m still a bit weirded out. We’ll discuss the details and I’ll decide after that."
Chapter Three
Camilla stepped into the dimly lit bar, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the change from the bright Los Angeles lights outside. The place was unlike anywhere she'd been in years – a far cry from the upscale establishments she usually frequented. The walls were covered in an eclectic mix of local art and vintage posters, and mismatched furniture was scattered throughout the space. The air was thick with the scent of beer and indie music played softly in the background.
As she scanned the room, her gaze landed on Jade. The woman looked completely different from the disheveled barista she'd met earlier. Jade's long blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and she'd applied a touch of makeup that accentuated her big blue eyes. She wore a simple gray sweatshirt that somehow managed to look effortlessly chic, paired with a mini skirt, tights, and ankle boots.
Camilla had come straight from the office and felt overdressed and out of place in her crisp pantsuit. "Youcould have proposed somewhere a bit fancier, you know,” she said approaching the table. “I am paying, after all."
Jade's eyes flashed with something that looked like annoyance. "No, this is just fine," she said coolly. "This place belongs to a friend of mine. I like it here."
It was only then that Camilla began to notice details she'd initially missed. Rainbow flags hung in various corners, and she realized with a start that most of the patrons were women, many of them couples. They were in a gay bar.
Camilla slid into the seat across from Jade, her curiosity sparked. "Are you...?"
"Gay?" Jade finished for her, one eyebrow raised. "Yes, I am, but that shouldn’t matter, because this is a business transaction. No sex, isn't that what you said? Because if you even think for a moment I'd take money for–"
"No, no, of course not," Camilla cut her off quickly, holding up her hands in a placating gesture. "I already told you, that's not what this is about."
Jade seemed to relax slightly and caught the eye of a passing waitress. "I'll have a draft beer, whatever's on tap tonight is fine," she said casually.
Camilla raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Make that two scotches, neat," she countered, her tone brooking no argument.
The waitress nodded and left, leaving Jade looking bemused. "Scotch? Really?"
"If we're going to discuss business, we might as well do it properly," Camilla replied. "Besides, I have a feeling you can handle something stronger than beer."
Jade leaned back in her chair, a challenge in her eyes. "Oh, I can handle my liquor just fine. I just didn't peg you for a scotch drinker. I figured you'd be more of a... I don't know, expensive wine type."
Camilla chuckled. "There's a lot you don't know about me. That's why we're here, isn't it?" Deciding it was time to get to the point, she pulled out a folder from her briefcase and slid it across the table. "I've drafted up a contract," she explained, watching as Jade opened the folder and began to scan the document. "It outlines the terms of our arrangement – the dates of your employment, the location – the resort in Aspen, the services you'll be providing – pretending to be my fiancée, and the total sum you'll be paid for the week."
Jade's eyes scanned the document, her brow furrowing slightly as she read. She looked up at Camilla, curiosity in her expression. "So, these 'services' I'll be providing... it says here 'light touches of affection and the occasional quick kiss on the mouth or peck on the cheek'…"
Camilla nodded, her face serious. "I believe in being thorough and transparent. I want there to be no misunderstandings between us. My family has to believe that it’s real."
