The next morning I have to say, it wasn't easy for me to wake up, from being tired of thinking of the possibilities and outcomes that came with zak's proposal of asking me to be his fake girlfriend.
What all did it entail? Did he want just a show for the family? would I have to move in with him for a month? would we have to kiss? would we have to act like a regular couple and hold hands? Would we go on dates? Would we be showing off at work too? what would they all think? What if word got out and we were hounded?.... The list went on and on but the one thing that was on my mind was, Would I fall in love with him and end up with a broken heart?
Sighing and hearing my phone ping for the fourth time since my eyes were fully open and just laying there and looking up at the overhead fan above my bed. I picked it up and unplugged its charger and looked at it. Texts. From my boss.
"When are you coming in?"
'We really need to talk"
"We have to set up for Christmas tonight"
"Meet me in my office when you get here, it's important." They read.
Groaning and kicking off my blanket I got up and got a shower did my hair and kinda took my time getting ready, not really wanting to face the music, nor my boss.
Getting my phone and bag I locked up my place and got into my car and drove the shower 20 minutes to the museum.
When I arrived I grabbed my water bottle and walked to the back door slid my card to get in and walked to the employee lockers I opened mine and placed my belongings inside and heard bacon behind me.
"Britt finally showed up," he said.
"I know I'm so sorry I had a really crappy night's sleep and then I didn't hear my alarm and it's just been a day already I'm sorry," I told him.
"No sweat with me but Mr. boss man may have an issue" he smiled some.
"That's what I'm afraid of" I mumbled and said goodbye to him and walked to the dreaded boss's door. I knocked and opened the door.
"Hey it's me sorry I'm late just been a day already," I said.
"Come in have a seat." He said.
"Ok..." I said getting a little worried about his confession last night was I about to be fired!? If I was he's got another thing coming.
"So about last night," He started as he moved over to sit next to me.
"Yes?" I said.
"About the thing about me asking you to pose as my fake girlfriend?" He said.
"Yes?" I said.
"I was serious, It won't last long until the new year" He said.
"Zak," I said.
"Brittany Please, I just want some peace with my mom she's just being relentless and I just want to spend this Christmas with them and you being there would just make it easier," he said.
"Zak, what's gonna happen if they find out? and when we "Break up"? Then what? I can't have them hating me or disliking me for that matter" I said.
"I'll handle it all you don't have to worry about a thing," He said
"Just name your price" he added.
"Zak I don't want anything from you, It's bad enough my paycheck comes from you," I told him looking at my hands.
"Britt it's not like that.." he said
"It is for me ok just tell me when and where you want me and where I need to be, I'll do it, but on one condition," I said
"Name it," he said quickly.
"Don't fall in love with me," I said seriously.
He laughed, the son of a bitch laughed making my face furrow. "Don't worry I won't," he said.
"Right, I'm going to go start putting up the decorations," I said
"Yah about that" He smiled rubbing the back of his neck.
"What?" I almost whined.
"My mom's here to do that..." He said.
"Wonderful" I rubbed my face.
"Just go out there and help out she's got everything we'll need for decorations and such." He said and I nodded and he grabbed my hand making me look up at him.
"Thank you really britt, you're saving me," He said and hugged me, I hugged him back burying my face in his chest, god he smelled so damn good.
"Yah but you owe me" I joked.
"Yes I do," He said.
We let go and I pushed the stray hairs away from my face and walked out to the front of the building seeing Nancy.
I smiled and waved "Hi Nancy, how are you?" I said.
"Oh I'm good it's gonna take a lot of work to put all this up but I'm sure with help at I can get it done," she said with her back to me.
"Anything else on your mind?" I asked her.
"Oh it's nothing sweetie" She smiled.
"You sure? Come on I'm a good listener" I offered smiling softly.
She smiled softly and took my arm gently pulling me off to the side. "It's Zak," she said.
Oh god, she knows?!
"What about him?" I asked.
"I'm worried about him" she started.
"Well that's nothing out of the ordinary for a Mom" I smile softly at her.
"He's just so lonely," she said with a bit of sadness on her tongue.
"I know he can get that way, it sneaks up on the best of us," I told her with a bit of truth.
"I'm going to set him up a date what do you think?" she said.
"OH?" I said, as my insides were now in panic mode.
"Yes, would you know anyone that would fit the build?" She smiled.
YAH ME!
"Oh, I don't know he's very...Picky" I said.
"That's true.. I'm keeping my eyes open for sure then" she said.
I just nod and start pulling garland out of the boxes ready to be hung, that's when I noticed after being on the ladder I first felt someone behind me then I recognized the scent of the person behind me, Zak.
"Can I do something for you?" I said reaching up and putting the garland around the edges of the doorways.
"What has she said to you?" He asked as he steadied the ladder to keep from moving as I secured the garland.
"Oh, nothing much she just wanted to say she's worried about you that she see's you're lonely, she asked me if I knew of anyone to put up with you and that she's keeping her eyes open for a new match for you," I told him getting down.
"Good god why can't she..." he started getting angry, making me put my hands on his shoulders and squeeze gently.
"Hey it's a mother's job to worry and want the best for her child, she wants to see that smile we all know and love on your face everytime she sees you. Just calm down" I told him.
"She just wants another grandbaby" he mumbled.
Smiling being the sometimes quick wit person I said "hey now producing an heir is extra" I smiled.
"Not funny" he looked down at me.
"Hey, it was a little bit." I shrugged. "look It's all going to be fine ok? relax tell your mom you have a date in a few days and that you haven't asked this person out yet, then I'll stop by in a few days all dolled up and we'll text her a few pictures to keep her at bay for at least for a while now you tell her you think it's starting something that you've haven't had in a really long time and we'll go from there ok?" I said.
"And that is why I hired you" he smiled softly pulling me into a hug. "What would I do without you?" he said in more of a rhetorical question but I answered it anyway.
"Well, you'd have your mother on you more than you do know be way more lonely and probably just a mess" I teased.
"I'll only agree to some of that." he smiled still holding onto me.
"Ok go on, go tell your mom the news because I have to make this place look like Christmas threw up in here" I rubbed his back gently letting go and getting back to putting up the rest of the garland and lights that went with it although I had told Zak to go talk with his mom he ended up staying with me helping me so I didn't fall off the ladder, ever the gentleman most of the time.
Now the harder part was coming for me not falling for the sweet amazing guy I knew he was and making sure I wasn't getting in over my head, what could go wrong right???
I'm so screwed!