Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
And special.
Something I’ve never really felt before either.
Charlotte’s Lyft pulls up outside the last shop. She stops before opening the door to the black sedan.
“Want to share? I can add a stop.”
We live in opposite directions, so I wave her off. “Mine will be here any minute.”
She blows me a kiss. “Love you. You’re the best. Sorry I freaked out this morning about the shower, sorry about Brady, sorry about everything. But I’m not sorry you have a hot new man who loves to spoil you!”
She waves and disappears into the car. As it peels off, I whisper, I don’t have a hot new man.
A pang of longing for what I don’t have digs into my chest, but I do my best to ignore it. It’s selfish to feel any sort of loss right now as I carry bags of gifts my fake boyfriend surprised me by paying for.
Besides, I need to thank Wilder for this wildly unexpected gift. Then focus on making it through seeing my awful ex nonstop the week of the wedding, showing that jerk how a woman should be treated, and in the meantime—all the time—saving for my new business.
Funny though, how Wilder already showed me tonight how a man should treat a woman.
My smile won’t disappear. I stare down at the bags once more. This was just so…wonderfully extra. I take out my phone to thank him as I head to the bus stop a block away. I didn’t really order a Lyft. I don’t need to spend extra money on cars.
When I reach the stop, I open my texts.
Fable: YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT!!!
He replies a minute later.
Wilder: I trust you had a good evening.
Fable: Seriously! THANK YOU! I can’t believe you did that! That was above and beyond the brief.
Wilder: Disagree. It’s exactly what a fake boyfriend should do.
Right. He’s fake boyfriending. Of course that’s what he’s doing. And while it is above and beyond, it’s also for show. I need to remember that. Still, I thank him one more time. Because that’s what a good fake girlfriend should do.
Fable: And it was so thoughtful and I’m so very grateful. I truly appreciate it. How can I thank you?
Wilder: You just did.
Ha. Is that an emoticon? I guess that’s my thank-you since I’m pretty sure the man has never used one in his life. And I suppose I’ll have to take him at face value—that my thank-you was enough.
Fable: I hope I’m as good a fake girlfriend as you are a fake boyfriend.
Wilder: You’re wonderful, Fable.
I sigh contentedly, enjoying the compliment so very much. Those were rare with Brady too. And he never really treated me to anything. But I don’t want to get too lost in the Cinderella fantasy. I return to agenda items, as Wilder likes to call them.
He’ll definitely want to know that Brady’s coming to the shower, especially after his PDA review at work today. He clearly wants to make sure we don’t miss a beat. I don’t want Brady to catch on either. No way am I giving that rat bastard the satisfaction of thinking he’s hurt me.
Before I can even tap out the details, there’s a new text from Wilder and the words Thought you might enjoy this. It’s a snippet of his daughter performing at her school concert and it’s absolutely delightful.
Fable: I love it! It’s your favorite song. Did she pick it for you?
Wilder: I think so. She also sang because her mom sings. So, I think it was a gift for both of us.
Fable: That is too much! My heart is full! You two get along? Her mom and you?
Wilder: Yes. We’re friends. We stayed friends. I’m lucky like that.
Fable: It’s not luck. It’s work and effort, and this kiddo is worth it.
Wilder: She is. She’s pretty amazing. But enough about me. How was the shower planning?
Fable: Yes! And Charlotte wants to do something kind of fun for the shower.
Wilder: More fun than a co-ed shower with the maid of honor? I’m on pins and needles.
Fable: I see what you just did.
Wilder: What did I do?
Fable: Co-ed. Shower. Like save water, shower with a friend.
Wilder: I didn’t realize my Christmas girlfriend had such a naughty mind.
Heat spreads across my cheeks. I shouldn’t flirt with him. But he’s the one who mentioned a naughty mind. I hop onto the bus and reply once I sit down.
Fable: Maybe I do have one.
Wilder: That is very good to know.
And he’s flirting right back. My stomach flips again, and I tap out a reply—Do you? But then I backpedal, erasing it. Just because we practiced kissing doesn’t mean we need to practice sexting. I return to the shower.
Fable: Anyway, her idea is that we’re all going to dress as characters from Christmas movies.
He’s silent. For several minutes, my phone doesn’t buzz or beep as the bus chugs through the city toward my little apartment where I’ll work on some of my own jewelry designs tonight.