Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Some might call it preposterous, but there’s only one thing I can do. I need to find Tempe and get her to be my fake girlfriend, at least for this photo shoot next week.
I’m actually a bit excited by my plan, thinking it will get Tansy off my ass, keep me in good graces with the big boss and bonus… I get to see Tempe again and maybe, just maybe, I’ll ask her on a real date.
After a shower and a light breakfast, I head off to the grocery store. I bring my reusable bags—because I’m environmentally conscious that way—as I’ll pretend to shop while looking for Tempe.
It’s after a frustrating fifteen minutes of circling the store that I become a bit hopeless that she doesn’t appear to be here. If I don’t get her agreement to be my fake girlfriend today, the opportunity is gone for good as I’m leaving for a road trip.
Standing at the customer service desk, I spot Dale, the assistant manager from the other night.
When I approach, his head lifts and a smile of recognition hits his face. “Wow… two days this week Rafferty Abrams comes to shop in our store. What can I help you with?”
“I’m actually looking for Tempe. Is she working today?”
He doesn’t appear to be put out by my request, but rather seems to want to help. I’m relieved when he says, “Yeah… she’s actually on her break right now. Follow me and I’ll get her for you.”
I follow Dale through the store to a set of swinging doors that lead into the back. “Wait here,” he instructs.
So I do, checking out the selection of sausages and breakfast meats in the cooler to the right.
Almost as quickly as Dale disappeared, one of the doors opens and Tempe steps through. I don’t see the hideous store uniform but instead am slightly hypnotized by those green eyes. Her hair is in two braids hanging over each shoulder and she looks young and fresh.
She’s clearly surprised to see me. Not overly excited, but curious. “Rafferty? What are you doing here?”
Good. She remembered my name.
I launch into an explanation, the words tumbling out in a frustrated rant. “My stalker showed up again, and now I need to bring you to this marketing photo shoot Monday that I can’t get out of. It’s required and I have a speaking part for a commercial, I think. At any rate, I have to go have a drink with her if you don’t come. I can’t do it, Tempe. She’s crazy, but she’s my boss’s cousin, and I can’t be rude to her. I really need your help.”
Tempe looks taken aback, her brow furrowing. “Wait, photo shoot? For what?”
I wave my hand impatiently. “For the Titans. We have to promote videos or do PSAs sometimes.”
Her eyes narrow at me. “Who are you exactly?”
I pause, realizing how absurd this must sound, especially since she probably thinks me no more than a regular Joe off the streets.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly, holding my hands up to regain some control. My eyes bore into hers. “Sorry, I should’ve explained. I play for the Pittsburgh Titans. The photo shoot is for a team marketing campaign.”
Her eyes widen in realization. “You’re a professional hockey player?”
“Yeah… I knew you didn’t recognize me, so I assume you don’t follow hockey.”
“I follow it well enough. I’m just not so into it that I know anyone other than the first line.”
I wince because that was a little harsh. I’m a third-line player, but I was a huge recruit for the team. I put my ego aside though and give her my best sad dog look. “I’m sure the last thing you want to do is get involved in something like this. But if you’ll come to this one event with me and we’re convincing enough, Tansy will leave me alone. Just right now… she didn’t buy our little acting session.”
“I don’t think that kiss was acting,” Tempe murmurs thoughtfully, focused on the sausage cooler as she considers the request.
I, on the other hand, stare at her with new eyes, because she’s right. That kiss was genuine from start to finish and it excites me that she felt it too.
I’m desperate now and I don’t know which way she’s leaning, so I opt for begging. “Please, Tempe. I’ll do anything.”
Her eyes comes to me, serious and unyielding. “Fine… I’ll do it for $1000.”
The amount shocks me—I hadn’t pegged her as an opportunist. “A thousand dollars. Are you serious?”
“Yup. A thousand dollars will buy you a girlfriend for the day.”
I consider arguing, perhaps negotiating. But then again, what do I care? I can afford the money, but I can’t afford to miss the opportunity to put this Tansy mess to bed for good. “Okay, it’s a deal. But we can’t just show up at this shoot. We need to get our stories straight and make this believable so Tansy will let this go. If we’ve supposedly been dating for a while, then we need to act it out believably.”