Twisted Deal | A not-so cliche fake dating romance

Chapter Three

Sebastian

So I was stuck in a lie.

Worse—I had dragged a poor girl into it.

I really should learn to think before I do things. I don't even know what I was thinking when I marched up to the girl and asked her to be my girlfriend. I didn't know what I was thinking other than the fact that I didn't want to look pathetic in front of my ex-girlfriend. In front of her, with a man at her side too. So the only solution to dilute that sitsrik was to pretend I was dating. On the market and not wallowing about the breakup. I didn't get it though. Wasn't I allowed to be heartbroken about it?

Giving your heart to someone for eight years is a lot. To have it given back so abruptly is even worse.

I wanted to be wallowing about it, but instead I'm forced to save face. Because I didn't want Hannah to think that I was still hung up on her. Even though I am. I want her back. I really do. She is the best woman for me. I was in love with her. Have been since I was sixteen.

My spur of the moment had caused Jennifer to be roped into this. She was just an innocent woman, and now she was having to defend herself under Hannah's wrath. I feel awful.

After the four of us stared at each other, the guy she brought, Joe, wouldn't stop trying to make conversation. Jennifer speaks to Andrea for a little bit before she decides it's time to go. "Okay," she says softly. "I think I'll be going now."

"Right, that's good," I say when I find her staring at me. I'm giving her a look, and she squints up at me. Raising an eyebrow only causes her to roll her eyes. "Arm, shoulder," she says, two simple words.

I avert my gaze, moving off her as quickly as I can. She stands up now, free from my hold. Smoothing down the blue dress she was wearing, she gets away from the chair. "Andrea," she speaks, moving to her side. When I glance to my right, Hannah is staring at me. It's then when I realize my other lie. That we had come together. I was letting the woman who came with me leave on my own. That didn't look right, nor was it going to be okay with Hannah around.

I get up from my seat as well and stand beside Jennifer now. Andrea is saying something, "So you'll get home okay, right? I don't want you to have to chase down a ride; why don't you go home with Caroline?"

"I'll drive you home," I offer quickly on the spot. At the sound of my arrival, Andrea looks over at me. She studies the way I was standing right behind Jen and then at the hand I had close to her shoulder. She raises an eyebrow at me and then says, "You. What the hell is happening?"

"Nothing," I say quickly. "Just let me take Jennifer home."

"No, because, I'm genuinely so conflicted," Andrea says, pushing a hand off her forehead. "You came with Hannah, didn't you?"

My cheeks heat up. "No."

"Then?" she asks, confused. She then assesses Hannah and the man beside her. When she looks back, her confusion is drawn all over her face publicly. "Who the hell is that?"

"It's just—" I don't know why I'm suddenly put on the spot for Hannah bringing her boyfriend. They should both be talking first. Shaking my head, I say, "Sorry, Andrea. You'll have to ask her yourself."

"No, Bash, tell me," Andrea says with an exasperated sigh. "And why are you suddenly flirting with Jen?"

"Andrea, sweetheart," I hear behind her before I'm forced to make up a lie on the spot. "Leave him alone, okay?"

"Miles what!" she says, outraged. Then her eyes widen very slowly. "You know!"

"Just a little," Miles says, which I know is a lie. To know about the breakup of an eight-year-old couple is huge. It's a great deal.