Fake Dating The Enemy

5

Elizabeth

I can't believe I let him kiss me. I can't believe I let any of that happen. And now I have to endure lunch with him, Luke, and Ashley today? I don't know if I can let this go on for six months.

They weren't supposed to stay here. They were supposed to go back to Florida. I was supposed to be able to avoid Thomas until the wedding. Everything about this plan is falling apart.

The doorbell rings, and I grab my purse. I head to the door, opening it to see Thomas. I wasn't surprised considering he was picking me up to drive us to lunch.

"Hi." He says, a small smile on his lips.

"Hi yourself." I say, walking outside. I shut and lock the door behind me, shoving my keys in my purse. We walk to the car, and I pause to turn towards him. "We should probably discuss the events of yesterday." I say, taking a deep breath.

"Oh, what about it?"

"Well, for starters, there's the fact that they're going to be here for four months. We didn't leave room in the plan for this adjustment." He nods. "And also, we kissed. I don't know about you, but that was awkward."

"Awkward?" He looks hurt. "I thought it sealed the deal."

"Well, yes. Theoretically."

"Then, there's no problem. As for the next four months, I think it'll be fine." He gets in the car, and I join him.

"Fine? Thomas, what's going on? You're seriously okay with having to put more effort into this?"

"If it gets your brother off my back, yes." Alright, I see we're back to him being in a mood. I stay quiet the rest of the drive.

We make our way into the restaurant and see Luke and Ashley at a nearby table. I smile at them as we walk over, sitting across from them.

"There's my new favorite couple." Ashley says. "That kiss you two shared was so romantic." I feel my cheeks turn red as I try to change the subject.

"So, what do they have good here?"

"As if you haven't been here a million times." Luke says.

"Just trying to change the subject."

"Obviously." Luke says, and I sigh.

"Alright, that's enough. What is your problem?" I snap, looking my brother in the eye. "All you've done is be snippy and bitter since you saw Thomas and me together."

"Guys, don't fight." Thomas says. He places his hand on mine and I look at him. "It's not the place."

"He's right. Let's just have a nice lunch." Ashley chimes in.

"You're right, Elizabeth. I have been snippy and bitter. Perhaps it's because all Thomas wants from you is a quickie. A one and done." I'm taken back.

"Luke." Ashley scolds him. "That is no way to talk to them. What has gotten into you?"

"What has gotten into me? I'll tell you. Thomas and I have known each other for twenty years. Not once has he ever mentioned my sister in a way that wasn't cruel."

"Things have changed. Can't you accept that?" I ask. "Why can't you just be happy for me? You've never been happy for me."

"That's not true." He says, his eyes softening.

"It is." I say, trying to hold back tears. "My whole life has been nothing, but me being made out to be a joke by everyone. I'm trying my best to make you see that I'm finally happy, and all you want to do is shit all over it."

"Elizabeth..." Thomas says, and I shake my head.

"This was a mistake." I stand up, making my way to the bathroom. I place my hands on the sink, leaning my head down and letting the tears fall. How could my brother, of all people, be so cruel?

The bathroom door opens, and I turn to see Ashley. She has a sincere look on her face. I wipe my tears, not wanting her to see me cry.

"I'm sorry." She says. "Your brother was wrong for being that way towards you. I'm not sure what's going on with him, but I'm trying to figure it out."

"He just doesn't want me to be with Thomas. He thinks we're faking this whole thing to make him mad."

"He'll come around." She says. "Can I offer you a hug?" I nod, hugging her and letting more tears fall. "Hey, now. A beautiful girl shouldn't cry."

"Oh, please. I'm anything, but beautiful. You can ask anyone."

"Even Thomas? He's so smitten with you, Elizabeth." I try to hide how her words affect me.

"I guess it's just hard to see with the way our past was." She nods, handing me a paper towel to wipe my tears.

"Trust me, he's falling hard for you. I can see it all over his face. He looked heartbroken to see you like that at the table. I wouldn't be surprised if he was waiting outside the bathroom for you." A small smile crosses my lips. We exit the bathroom, and, as she predicted, Thomas was there waiting for me. "Told you." She smirks, walking back toward the table.

"Hi." He says, reaching out to tuck my hair behind my ear. "Are- Are you alright?" I nod.

"I'm fine." He sighs, pulling me in for a hug. He holds me in a tight embrace, and I can't help, but cry again.

"Hey, none of that." He says, wiping my tears.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I ask, my voice a whisper. "You don't have to be this convincing."

"I'm not being convincing. I'm just trying to comfort you." I don't know what to believe or think about anything at this point. "We don't have to stay. We can have lunch elsewhere."

"No." I say, my voice firm. "I'm not letting him win." I lace my fingers through his as we walk back to the table.

"Elizabeth, I want to say how sorry I am for acting the way I did." Luke says.

"I don't want to talk. Let's just order our food." He nods, and I feel Thomas' hand on my thigh. He gives it a gentle squeeze and removes his hand. It was a reassuring gesture to let me know that he was there for me. I truly don't know how I'm going to get through the next six months.