Fake Dating The Enemy

12

Thomas

"Thomas, wait up!" I turn to see Ashley walking over to me. "What the hell happened with Elizabeth? Was it really all fake?"

"It was, but I never wanted it to be. I meant what I said at the engagement party. I always liked her."

"Then why aren't you fighting for her?"

"I'm not worthy of her. She deserves someone better. It doesn't take much to get better than me." Her eyes soften.

"That's not true. You're a great guy. Give it time, Thomas. I'm sure things will work out between the two of you."

"I doubt it. Luke already set her up with someone."

"Who, Conrad? Trust me, my cousin doesn't want anything serious."

"Then why would Luke introduce them?" I ask, and she shrugs.

"Maybe for a rebound? Maybe to make you jealous?" I shake my head. Luke wouldn't go through that much trouble.

"Listen, I'm going to head home."

"Thomas, I mean this with all of my heart. You are a wonderful guy, and I know Elizabeth likes you. Give it time, and I'm sure you guys could figure something out. Start fresh." She gives me a smile before heading back to the bonfire.

I start walking to my car when I hear another familiar voice calling out to me. I turn to see Sophia walking over.

"You leaving?" I nod, a bad decision forming in my head.

"You want to join me?" She smirks, linking her arm with mine.

"Thought you'd never ask."

When we get back to my place, she wastes no time in jumping all over me. Her lips crash to mine, and my hands instantly pull her close. I move us to the couch, sitting her on my lap. She trails kisses across my jaw and down my neck.

"Sophia."

"Mhm, say my name."

"No, Sophia, wait." She pulls back with a huff.

"What is it now Thomas? This was never this difficult before. Just give me what I want, and I'll leave just like every other time."

"You're right." I say, kissing her again. I can't help, but feel like this is wrong. I'm not enjoying this like I normally would. Sophia is beautiful, and she's great in moments like this. What is wrong with me?

"Let me help you forget all about what's her name." She says, rubbing her hands over my chest. I nod, watching as she unties her bikini top, dropping it to the floor. "These distracting enough?" A smirk rises to my lips as I pull her in for another kiss.

"You already know that answer." She smirks, biting her lip as she moves her hand to the waistband of my swim trunks. Her hand slips in, and I gasp as she brushes across me. "Fuck."

"You like that?" This is wrong. I can't do this. I'm not this person anymore.

"No. I mean, yes." I sigh, "I'm sorry. I can't do this. This isn't me anymore." She takes her hand out of my shorts, standing up. She puts her bikini top back on, and I sit up.

"You know, Thomas, she's really changed you. She should feel proud for taming you. You have it bad for her. I wish you the best." With that, she's out the door. I let my head fall back as I stare up at the ceiling. What the fuck is going on with me?

The next morning, I wake up with a massive headache. I knew I shouldn't have drank myself to sleep. I groan at the sound of the doorbell going off. I drag myself out of bed, stumbling to the door.

"God you look awful." Luke says after I open the door.

"What are you doing here?" Irritation grows thick in my voice.

"Hey, watch the tone. I'm here to see if you're alive which I can see you are."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You drank a lot, dude. More than I've ever seen you drink." I shrug.

"Yeah, and?"

"I've never seen you like this. You're having some kind of mid life crisis, and I'm just trying to figure it out." I scoff.

"Luke, just leave me alone. Your sister hates me. You should be happy."

"But I'm not, because she's heartbroken over you."

"She is? But you set her up with that Connor guy."

"Conrad." He says, and I roll my eyes. "I only did that so she could stop being so depressed over you. Listen, I don't know the whole story between you two. What I do know is you hurt my sister. I hurt her, too. All I'm asking is for everyone to be civil with each other before the wedding. Can you handle that?" I nod, and he sighs. "Good. Now, go shower. You reek." I watch as he leaves, and I sniff my armpit. Yeah, I could use a shower.

*

Elizabeth

There's a knock at my door around 1:00. I open it to see Conrad standing on my doorstep with flowers.

"Hi. Wow, you look beautiful." I blush, and he hands me the flowers. "These are for you." I let him inside, and he follows me as I take the flowers to the kitchen to put in a vase.

"Thank you for these. They're beautiful." I say, smiling at him.

"I thought of you when I saw them." My cheeks are probably bright red by now. "So, I was thinking we could go get some lunch. Maybe take a walk on the beach after and get to know each other?"

"That sounds lovely." We head out to his car, and he gets in. I guess I was so used to Thomas opening the car door for me, I expected it from Conrad. Alright, time to stop comparing them. I get in the car, and he holds my hand as we drive to a nearby restaurant.

"So," He says as we sit down at the table. "I want to start this off by being honest with you. I'm not looking for anything super serious at the moment. I'd like to take things slow and just see where it goes."

"I agree, 100%. After what I went through with Thomas, I don't think I could handle a serious relationship right now." He smiles, taking my hand in his.

"I couldn't imagine being dumb enough to hurt you."

"Oh, well, I wouldn't say he was dumb. That's just how things always were with us." I clear my throat. "Enough about him, though. I want to know more about you."

We spent the rest of lunch talking, and I learned a lot about him. He's the youngest of four children, and he's the only son. His older sisters all live in different states, and he rarely sees them. It was nice to just talk and really learn things about each other.

We were walking hand in hand on the beach when he stopped to look at me. A soft smile laid across his lips as he tucked some hair behind my ear.

"I know this might be sudden, but I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He leans in to kiss me, and at first I want to step away. It feels wrong, but then again, I don't know what's right anymore. I lean in to fill the space between us, feeling his lips press against mine. It was a soft, gentle kiss, and it didn't last long. We continued to walk on the beach while I fought with the feeling that there was no spark in the kiss like there was with Thomas.