The Fake Girlfriend

Chapter 17

I was too wired to go back to sleep after the workout with Nick, my heart beating within my chest. I knew deep down that it wasn't because of the weak running I had been doing earlier, but from the haunting dark eyes that had stared- almost sadly- at me as I closed my door.

I knew that it was a stupid thought. I knew that it was just fishing in an empty lake but it was hard to keep my racing heart beats slowed around him. His flirtacious smile and long muciscian fingers kept me on my toes.

I sighed, shoving my face into my hands. It was stupid, I was stupid. He was a celebrity and I- I am just the girl getting paid to date him.

"Ugh!" I groaned as I slammed myself backwards on the couch, the impact knocking most of the breath out of me. Why were things so complicated.

After a few more minutes of self pitying on the couch, I got up to sort through the mail scattered on the counter, grabbing the envelopes that had my name printed on them.

Junk mail, junk mail, junk mail...

Not junk mail. I ripped open the top, pulling out a couple of neatly written check from Scarlett's comany.

Very big, fat, and juicy checks if I may add.

My jaw dropped at the amount.

I guess I had forgot that she would pay me this much.

Okay, then. No more crying over boys, I'm a fashion journalist- aspiring- and heck, I will go out and buy me this winter's new boots.

I grabbed my keys off the counter and walked out the door.

***

It was easy to find yourself shopping in New York. Designer here, designer there, five hundred bucks vanishing on that new purse and- whoa, were those shoes really that much?

But it was okay, because I was sent a couple of paychecks at once.

I went galloping happy through the Michael Kors store, offering myself up some new Steve Madden heels and a couple of Louis Vuitton purses.

When I got went into a perfume store, bags piled to my elbows I finally thought: Maybe the heartache and confusion was okay, maybe retail therapy was real.

I smiled to myself.

When I threw all of my bags into the back of my car, I heard my phone ringing in the depths of my purse.

"Hello?" I answered breathilessly, taking a seat in the driver's side and shutting the door.

"Rayne." It was Nick. Oh gosh, there goes my heart rate. "Hey, Scarlett said you were picking me up from the airport, just thought I'd let you know- you know in case she didn't tell you. She sounded busy."

Starting my car, I replied, "Uh no she didn't mention. What time?"

"Whenever you can get here," he said. "Why, are you busy?"

I shook my head, for a minute forgetting that he couldn't see me. "No, no. I'm in the city actually. I'll just swing by, text me where you are."

***

I eventually found myself at the airport searching for the familiar dark headed man in the crowd. Nick had told me he would be in this terminal. But there were so many people here how in the heck could I be expected to find him?

"There you are," I heard someone sigh behind me.

I turned around to Nick with- as close as there is to an actual smile with him- on his face. His palm landed on my cheek, bringing my face up to his to plant a peck on the corner of my mouth. It was quick, but left jitters in my stomach.

He placed a hand on my hip. "I didn't realize how many people were here, I would have just met you in the parking lot."

"It's fine," I replied, trying to push thoughts about me liking Nick away and giving him a calm wave of my hand. "I don't mind."

In the parking lot we found my small red car, Nick stopping in his tracks to stare at it.

"I've never ridden in your car before, I didn't know you had a mini cooper..." he exclaimed. I guess I had never thought about it either, we usually had a paid driver or took Nick's chic mustang when we went out. And realizing it, it has been a while since I've actually used my car.

I gave him a curious look. "I guess we haven't been in my car. Didn't realize," I mumbled.

Glancing down to his feet that were crammed in by all my shopping bags, I murmured apologies. "Sorry about that. I meant to put these in the back." I threw the bags into the backseat.

His eyes widened a bit. "Geez," he said. "How long were you shopping?" A playfulness glittered in his eyes.

I laughed at his astonishment. "A couple hours... I don't know. I just spent the day in the city." I manuevered my car out of the busy lot as I spoke. Taking glances of Nick out of the corner of my eye.

"By yourself?" he asked.

Stopping at a redlight, I turned to him. "Yeah, why?"

"It's just-" he started, stopping himself to think for a second. "It's just... it's not safe for you to be wandering around in the city by yourself all day. New York is dangerous."

I averted my gaze, continuing driving down the trafficked packed highway. His genuine care made my heart flutter, and for once I didn't feel like snapping back and telling him that I'd be fine. Even if it wasn't a big show of affection, it was the most I've ever gotten out of him.

"Thank you," I told him, slightly suprising myself. "it means a lot- But... I was fine. Nothing happened."

Out of pure casualty, he set his hand on my knee and gave me a soft smile. "Just next time you want to go shopping, call me. I wouldn't mind going with you at all."

I glanced down to his hand that was now resting on my leg, my heart rate accelerating. There were no cameras around, what was he doing?

As if now realizing what he'd done, his hand returned to his lap, like it had never moved.

"So... where are we going?" I asked, when the silence had taken it's prideful toll.

Nick, who had let his head fall against the window, sat up straight. I noticed his thumbs nervously twitching. "What did you have planned for the rest of the day?"

I shrugged. "Nothing really."

"Do you want to come over to my place? You know- like we could order pizza and watch a movie," he said. "But if not it's okay. It really doesn't matter-"

I cut him off, "No. That sounds fun." I gave him a reassuring smile, it was genuine too.

The corner of his mouth twitched upwards just a bit. "Cool," he breathed. "Turn right on this street, it will take you to my place."

A little warning, I'm about to go on a spam and upload like the next four chapters of the story. I'm officially switching over to Wattpad from Instagram so update are going to be more frequent. Please don't forget to vote and comment and rate and all that stuff. :D