This was either the best or worst idea I’d ever had. But the more I rolled it around in my head, the more I was convinced taking Teagan with me to the wedding would be perfect.
One, I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting attached. She clearly found me pathetic, given she’d felt she had to stage an intervention. Two, she would be a great ally to have with me when I saw my ex for the first time since the cheating scandal. And three, she could kick my ass if I acted like a mopey idiot again.
“Me?” she asked, uncharacteristically blushing.
I’d known Teagan over a year, and frankly, I didn’t think anything fazed her. She’d make the perfect fake girlfriend for a crowd that included my college friends, my family, and my ex.
“Yes, you could pretend to be my new girlfriend. After all, it was your suggestion.”
“But I live here in Dubai.”
“Which is what makes it believable. People would buy the fact we work together and recently started dating.” I pushed to my feet, suddenly full of energy. For the first time in weeks, I felt something other than dread over this wedding. “I’ll fly you there. It’s a weekend event, so maybe we’d arrive on Thursday, then leave on Monday. Or your sister lives in California, right? I could fly you to see her afterwards for a few days if you want.”
“Yes, my sister lives in LA. But I’m not sure anyone would believe I’m your girlfriend.”
“Why the hell not?” Teagan was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever met. Ivory skin with a smidge of freckles she tried to cover with makeup, dark red, curly hair she often wore up, and a body that could make a grown man weep. Best of all, she was confident and wouldn’t crumble under the scrutiny of my crazy family, not to mention Vanessa and her catty friends. And she hadn’t been afraid to call me out when I’d been spiraling.
I’d spent most of my life loving the same woman, and now post-breakup, I simply didn’t know what to do with myself. But taking a date like Teagan to the wedding would send a clear message that reconciliation was off the table. It would show I was moving on.
She shook her head. “I don’t know if I could pull it off. I mean we don’t—we’re not—we’d have to fake stuff—”
There it was again. The flush in her cheeks. My face heated to match when I thought of all the things we’d be faking. What had I been thinking? I was placing her in an incredibly awkward position especially since I was her boss.
“On second thought, forget it. I was getting ahead of myself and am putting you on the spot. I’m sorry. I appreciate you being honest with me. I’m planning to give up the daily drinking, the fast food, and maybe I’ll even hit the gym. And from here on out, I’ll try to pull my head out and be less miserable. I’d hate to see you choose Mentos-and-dirty-sock-smelling Andy in Accounting over me.”
She giggled, the sound reminding me how much I’d missed her sense of humor.
“I’d be happy to become your gym buddy. With Chloe gone, I don’t have one, either.”
“I’ll consider it.” My motivation for hitting the gym before the wedding had suddenly evaporated. “Thank you. You know, for being honest with me.”
She stood up, a myriad of emotions playing out on her face. “You’re welcome. Okay, then. I’ll talk to you later.”
Once she left, I thumped my head on my desk. I’d never dreaded seeing my friends and family like I did right now. The whole thing made me crave a drink, but I couldn’t keep leaning on the alcohol to numb myself. Teagan had been spot-on about my stunt last night. It had been beyond stupid. I’d put my job at risk. It would’ve been too easy to send the wrong email or say the wrong thing. I was humiliated that my actions had caused another professional to come to my assistant with his concerns.
It was tempting to bow out of the wedding. I’m sure no one would blame me considering the date had been moved up and the venue changed, but pride wouldn’t allow me to go that route. No, I would go there with my head held high.
Things needed to change. Starting today.
