His eyes are wide and pleading and I don’t know what to do or say. He looks like a lost boy and there’s something almost sweet in his expression.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m trying to get this place open and… and I’m still getting over losing my grandma. I can’t be your girlfriend.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your grandma. That must have been rough.”
“Thanks,” I say softly.
Silence stretches between us but, strangely, it’s not uncomfortable.
“I’m not looking for a girlfriend either. I’m not the relationship type. I just need someone to show my mom to so I can get her off my back. At least for a little bit.”
“I… I can’t. I have too much work and stuff to do here.”
He looks around the mostly empty space.
“What if I could make you a deal?” he asks after a beat.
“A deal?” I ask, my interest piqued against my better judgment.
“Yeah. What if I could help you out around here and in return, you pretend to be my girlfriend next week while my parents are here?”
I look around the empty space. I really could use an extra hand getting this place ready. I was hoping to open around Valentine’s Day, but there’s still so much to do in order to be ready by then.
Is having him help me really worth it though? I would have to spend even more time with Elijah and pretend to be his girlfriend for an entire week.
“What would I have to do?” I ask carefully.
“Just pretend to be my girlfriend. Since they think that it’s still new and that we’re trying to keep it quiet, we should be able to get away with the rest of the town not finding out.”
“Okay, but what would I have to do? Do I have to spend the whole week with you guys?”
“No, they mentioned a dinner or two, but I can probably get it down to just the one, and then you’ll have to be my date to my cousin’s wedding.”
“Oh, so you meant that I’m going to be meeting your whole family next week,” I say with an eye roll.
“It won’t be that bad. It’s one night and everyone will be focused on the happy couple. Not on us.”
I can’t help but take notice of the tone of disgust in Elijah’s voice when he talks about the happy couple. Looks like he isn’t looking forward to the wedding either.
“The wedding is in the next town over and we’ll be in and out before anyone notices us. Are you in or not?” Elijah snaps and his attitude has my spine straightening as I face off against him.
“Dude, you’re over six and a half feet tall. I think we’ll be noticed.”
Elijah flinches and I suddenly hate myself.
“Shit. I’m sorry, that was a shitty thing to say. I just didn’t like you rushing my decision. I mean, you’re here to ask me for a favor and you’re also trying to push me into answering you. It’s rude.”
“You don’t need to apologize. It’s not a problem,” he says, his voice hard as he crosses his arms over his chest and stares down at the ground.
“Yes, I do. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Trust me, I’ve heard worst.”
“Then I apologize for them too. I’m sorry. Those people were assholes too.”
Elijah chuckles at that and I frown.
“What?” I ask when he keeps laughing.