The Companion Love Trap: A Fake Dating Vacation Rom-Com

Chapter 5

My skull poundedagainst my head in protest, the shrill of the foam wand not helping. Brenda, my new trainee, moved the milk carafe up and down like she wanted that wand to have a very nice day. When the milk bubbled over instead of thickening into foam, I snorted.

“Pre-milkulation,” I mumbled as I waited for Brenda to figure out that was not the way to make a cappuccino.

“Oops.” Brenda grimaced, glancing over her shoulder at me. Sighing, I grabbed a new carafe, filled it with milk to the proper line, and snapped the now clean nozzle down.

“You want to caress it much like a lover, keeping the wand just at the tip as you hold it,” I instructed as I did what I said. “Listen to the sound it makes. It will tell you exactly what it needs.”

“Whoa, that’s so pretty,” she cooed, looking at my foam as I poured it into a to-go cup before adding the espresso shot for the macchiato and then used the spoon to make a leaf. It was the only shape I could do, but it was pretty.

Surprisingly, making pretty coffee drinks was one of the few jobs I was good at. My steady hand from playing violin probably helped. The shop also had so much going on that it kept my brain active instead of bored like I was at most jobs.

“Here you go, Mer,” I said as I handed off the coffee to the waiting customer. “Your day’s about to get fabulous.”

“Thanks, Everly. See you next week,” Meredith said, waving as she held her coffee to her chest protectively. Brenda watched me with owlish eyes, her hero worship growing with every second she shadowed me.

“You’re the coolest person I know,” she beamed, making my cheeks heat.

“Nah. I’m not really.”

Fun fact, compliments about my skills made me nervous. Thanks for all the self-doubt, Mom.

I picked up a rag and wiped the foam wand before rinsing the carafe. I’d worked here for so long that the movements were mechanical. I could usually chat with coworkers or customers, focus on prepping the desserts, and sing along to the music as I cleaned, but none of it worked today.

From the moment my head hit the pillow on Trina’s couch, I could only think about Cruz and Phantom and how screwed I was. The thought of avoiding them felt like a kick to the gut I didn’t know if I could handle. Not right now, when everything else felt so uncertain. My foundation was shifting sand, and my legs were wobbly from constantly having to re-balance myself.

I needed to find another job and a place to live. Then I could focus on what to do about my stupid heart.

Satisfied? Yeah, I’m talking to you, heart. Now leave me alone.

“You still looking for another job, Everly?” Julie asked as she rounded the counter, tying her apron in place.

I jumped and looked around me. Had she just read my thoughts? Your breath stank. No reaction. Phew.

“Um, yeah. You know of something?” I focused on filling the pastries, not wanting to appear desperate. But I was. I’d literally take anything at this point. Nothing could be weirder than the jobs I’d already had.

“Actually, I do. My sister told me about this ad she saw online looking for a companion. We thought it was a joke, but she filled it out and got a call for an interview.”

“Oh well, if your sister applied for it, I don’t want to compete against her.”

Julie shook her head. “She didn’t get it. Apparently, she wasn’t right for it, but I think you might be.”

I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms as I observed her. “Why?” I asked, curious about what kind of job I’d be suitable for, but not her sister. She pulled out her phone and moved closer.

“Here, take a look.”

Female companion wanted for a week-long cruise to attend mandatory work functions. The ideal companion will have/be the following:

Outgoing and friendly

Well-versed in fine dining etiquette

Able to hold conversations with strangers

Willing to pretend to fake date the client

Understand confidentiality

Able to be gone for a week

Age 25-35

Have a passport

Amenities will include:

Travel expenses

Your own cabin

Daily free time (An agenda will be provided that lists which events are mandatory to attend)

A wardrobe budget to cover outfits for the various events

A percentage of the commission shall the job end successfully

The companion will not be expected to perform any sexual favors as part of employment. Any acts that occur will need to be consensual for both parties. At the end of the week, both parties will part ways and sever all professional ties. If there’s a breach of the contract at any time, the contract will be considered null and void, and the companion will be compensated based on the length of stay and events attended.

Any interested parties should email your response to the following question to

[email protected].

If you were a comic book character, which one would you be and why? There are wrong answers. Choose wisely.

I snorted and lifted my eyebrows at Julie.

“You can’t be serious. It sounds like something a pervert on Craigslist would make up to get women to come to his house. I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted that you think I fit the profile.” I handed the phone back to her, rolling my eyes.

“See, I thought that too, but Jenny went to the interview. And that email is from JK Cairdeas Solutions. It’s legit.”

“Why would someone from that company need to hire a fake date?” I asked.

However, I couldn’t fight my curiosity. I’d been a lot of things, but never a companion. It could be worth a try. Especially if I got free clothes, a vacation, and my own place for a week; and the only things I had to do was smile pretty and not spill food on my clothes. I’d spent most of my youth going through the same song and dance with far less honesty or fun.

“Here. You’re not supposed to know this upfront, but this is the guy. He’s some brilliant tech inventor with a resting Grinch face. The tea is that he needs to convince investors he’s a relationship man. Hence the fake date.”

“How did your sister discover all of this?” I asked, feeling like Julie was trying too hard to get me to agree. What was in this for her?

“She had to sign an NDA, but she’d already been texting me about it, and I didn’t sign an NDA.” She shrugged, scrolling through her phone.

I glanced at the picture of the man she’d pulled up, my breath halting in my throat as I took him in. I’d expected a homely older man who wanted to impress his colleagues. Not some blond-haired, blue-eyed GQ model. I bit my lip as my eyes bugged out. Shit, he was gorgeous. Grumpy, but gorgeous.

“I know, right?” Julie giggled. “Evidently, he has an Irish accent, too.” She fanned herself, dropping her phone into my hands as a customer hailed her.

My eyes focused on the picture, something shifting in my soul as I stared at the man. He did have a prickly exterior; his vibe clearly meant to keep people away. But his eyes held something in them I recognized—fear, loneliness, and hope.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I forwarded the ad to myself, locked her phone, and jumped back into helping customers. The hours dragged as I waited for my shift to end so I could fill out the application. My phone felt like a lead weight in my pocket, the need to do something itching under my skin.

“Here you go, sir,” I said, handing off the millionth drink I’d made. I’d quit seeing the faces of the customers hours ago, so lost in my head as I thought over the ad in detail and what it would mean for me.

“Sir? Ouch. Do I look that old?” a smooth and playful voice asked. Goosebumps exploded across my skin, my heart hitching a beat at the sound. Interesting.

My eyes flicked up to meet hazel eyes that glittered with gold. Thick auburn hair swooped over one side of his head, falling into one eye. His jawline was sharp and clean-shaven, giving his pouty lips full attention. This guy had to be somewhere in his early thirties, with barely a wrinkle in sight on his handsome face.

“Some men like it when I call them sir,” I answered before I could stop myself. An attractive guy was standing in front of me; it was unavoidable. His pupils dilated slightly, his bottom lip curving up on the side. His eyes dragged over me, and he licked his lips before he met my eyes again.

“You’re right. I think I’d let you call me anything, firecracker, but I’d much prefer you scream out Jace.” He smirked. I liked it.

“Is that so?” I leaned closer, my body thriving off his energy. “And how do I know you’re not all talk?”

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly before he took a sip of his coffee, his eyes zeroed in on me. His tongue darted out to lick off the foam, the substance resting on the tip as he drew it back into his mouth before peeking out again to catch a dribble of espresso. I’d never been so turned on by watching someone drink their coffee.

“Oh, I think you know I’m not all talk, firecracker. I’ll be seeing you.”

He winked before he pivoted on his heels, displaying his perfectly sculpted butt in his black jeans. I was so hypnotized by his ass it didn’t hit me until after the bell rang as the door shut that he hadn’t asked for my number.

“I guess it’s too much to ask for the pretty ones to be smart, too.” I sighed, imagining what the chemistry would’ve been like between us. Fanning myself, I decided that was not an image I needed to conjure while working.

“You’re good to go, Everly!” Sam, the manager, said.

I jumped, having gotten lost staring out the door. I hadn’t even noticed it was past the time for me to leave.

“Kay, thanks,” I said, untying my apron and heading to the time clock to punch out. Julie lifted her brows, mouthing, “Fill it out” as I passed, and I nodded.

The fire I’d been feeling earlier returned, and I plopped down on a table in the corner as I pulled out my laptop and brought up the ad. Writing an answer to the question that the only comic book character I wanted to be was myself, I sent my answer and contact information to the email listed and sat back, smiling. I had a good feeling about this.

When a reply appeared five minutes later, I almost couldn’t believe my luck.

Everly,

Thank you for your interest in the ad. Interviews will be held at the Mango Hotel bar from 5-7 today. This is the last round before we make our decision. We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

J. Caldwell

Tossing all of my stuff back into my bag, I hoisted my duffle up and headed to the door, going through a list in my head of where I could change and freshen up. With a destination in mind, I set off, a pep in my step I hadn’t had in a few weeks. This could be the start of the new Everly—thirty and flirty. It had a nice ring to it.

There wasn’ta how-to guide on being a companion, so I had no clue how to dress. Should I look professional? Dress like the girl they wanted as a companion? Or wear what I wanted?

In the end, I went with a mixture of all three, mainly because my wardrobe was limited at the moment, with most of my belongings in storage. Donning a white lacey tank, a thin cardigan, and some red high-waisted shorts with a floral print, I was ready to tackle this interview in my killer sandals.

Strolling into the hotel bar, I felt like a million bucks as I surveyed the crowd. The email hadn’t said who to ask for, so I did a sweep as I took in all the guests. Most of the people in the bar were in pairs, making it clear they were enjoying some drinks before whatever the night held for them. I eliminated a few others based on their attire, noting the touristy and fish-out-of-water look they had going on, which left me with three possibilities.

The first man sat at a table off to the side with his back to the door. So unless he was an asshole testing people to see if they would approach him as part of the interview, I didn’t rate Backwards Bobby high as J. Caldwell.

The second was a woman enjoying a martini at the bar, her eyes scanning the area every few seconds. While I didn’t know the gender of J. Caldwell, my gut told me it wasn’t Martini Sugar Momma.

Which left the guy sitting at an angle from the door. He was dressed more casually than the other two in jeans and a button-down black shirt with the top two buttons open. He wore long necklaces, silver rings, and a fancy smartwatch. His sun-touched skin glimmered under the lights, making him look more golden than jaundiced, like the other patrons. But despite his casual appearance, I knew his entire ensemble cost more than most guests made in a month. He was high-fashion even if he didn’t look it.

That, combined with a leather portfolio in front of him containing a pad of paper and a shiny pen on display, gave off the vibe he’d been taking notes. And I doubted it was on the cuisine, considering he only had a glass of water in front of him. One that showed considerable condensation, leading me to believe he’d been here a while. With his head down, it was hard to make out his features; but I’d bet my last Oreo Hottie McFashion was J. Caldwell.

My mind made up, I strutted closer to the table, my hips swaying with each step as my shorts threatened to ride up—thick thigh problems.

Hottie McFashion lifted his head when I was a few feet away, a smile spreading across his face and stopping me in my tracks.

“Jace?”

“I knew we’d meet again, firecracker.”

His voice felt like sunshine, warming me from the inside out. His hazel eyes roamed my body, able to take me in more now that I was out of my barista uniform and not standing behind a counter. I stood stunned for a few seconds as I tried to piece things together.

“Not that I’m not excited to see you, but how did you find me?” he asked, pulling me out of my daze as he leaned back.

“I didn’t. I mean, I didn’t come here for you.”

His smile dropped, and he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing and doing something to me. Oh, to lick that spot.

“Right. Gotcha.” His smile was tight, and I felt a pressure I wasn’t used to in my chest.

“No. It’s not like that. I’m here for an interview, not a date. In case that’s what you thought.”

Jace’s head perked up, his eyes shining again as he leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee like he’d just won the lottery. “Well then, have a seat, Sailor Moon. Have to say, anime over comic books was a bold choice. ”

“What?” I asked, my brain not wanting to admit what I already knew. Jace was J. Caldwell. He had to be if he knew my answer to the interview question.

“You must be Everly,” he said, motioning for me to take the empty seat again when I just stood there.

Flustered, I followed his instruction and scooted in. My usual confidence took a break as I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that mere hours earlier, I’d made this man a coffee, and now I sat across from him after answering an ad.

“How is this possible?” I asked.

“Do you believe in fate?” Jace replied, his eyes never leaving mine. He motioned for a waiter who placed a fresh glass of water and a basket of bread in front of me.

“I suppose. Though I suddenly feel like I’m in an after-school special on why you shouldn’t answer online ads, and you’re going to take me to your cabin in the woods and slowly eat my body.”

“The only eating I want to do to you, Firecracker, you’d enjoy. Promise.” And now I suddenly wanted to climb over the table and be his meal.

“And crazy as it sounds, this isn’t a con. My best friend is clueless when it comes to women and has a huge opportunity coming up where he needs to show investors he’s a safe bet. Having a girlfriend will help him paint the right image. Everything is outlined in the contract and is aboveboard. I swear to you.”

He handed me a piece of paper from the portfolio. I skimmed it over briefly, finding everything listed that had been on the ad, along with provisions for any changes to the original contract. It was comprehensive and included a fancy law firm’s contact information.

“Okay, say I believe it’s real. What kind of things would I have to do? It wasn’t very detailed.”

“Kieran has to attend dinners every night where you’ll need to dress appropriately and demonstrate proper etiquette. You listed on your CV that you’ve had experience?”

I nodded, grabbing the carb security blanket known as bread. I tore it in half and placed a piece in my mouth as I deliberated over the information.

“Outside of the dinners, there are a few activities he has to participate in that could range from salsa dancing, zip-lining, and snorkeling. Kieran is an avid snorkeler and diver, so if the opportunity presents itself, it will be done. But that all depends on how much the investors want his attention.”

“Those don’t sound too horrible. So, basically, we’re on vacation as a couple, and I need to make him look good to some snotty people,” I said around my bread ball, crumbs flying out of my mouth at high speed. I blushed, covering my lips as I brushed the flakes from the table.

“Yes, that’s essentially it. The most important part is just pretending to date Kieran and make him look like a responsible and reliable choice.” Jace watched me, clearly not disgusted by my poor emotional eating etiquette.

“And I’ll get new clothes, a free vacation, and time to do whatever I want?” It sounded too good to be true. Mainly because I desperately wanted to say yes, and I didn’t trust my judgment. Time to test the waters.

“Absolutely. You’ll have the mandatory things each day, but outside of them, you’re free to spend your time however you want.”

“What if I meet someone I want to fuck? I can just do that?”

Jace coughed, grabbed his diluted glass of water, and took a sip.

“Yes. As long as you’re discreet. It wouldn’t be good for you to be seen with someone else while pretending to be dating Kieran.”

I nodded, understanding what he was saying, and slightly surprised he hadn’t faltered.

“Fair.” I smiled, looking up from beneath my lashes. “And if I wanted to fuck Kieran?”

Jace barely stopped himself from choking again, clearing his throat with a cough.

“Well, as the contract states, if either party wishes to engage in any form of intimacy, it must be consensual by both people. No one is required to perform anything they’re uncomfortable with; only hand-holding, dancing, and cheek kisses are expected from either party.”

“So, if he’s DTF, it doesn’t void the contract?” I asked, stirring the pot. Jace’s eyes became molten, flipping something in my belly. He laughed, leaning forward, no longer shocked by my statements.

“Yes, Firecracker. If Kieran is down-to-fuck you up against a wall, bent over the counter, or doggie-style in the bed, it’s allowed.”

I sucked in a breath as Jace’s hazel eyes seared into me. Alrighty then. It seemed like Jace might be my match in sass. This time I cleared my throat, uncrossing and recrossing my legs as he continued to stare at me with his all-knowing grin.

“Well, I’m glad we got that cleared up. It’s also important to read the fine print. So, when does this trip start?” I asked.

“Three days.”

My eyes bugged, and a piece of bread lodged itself in my throat. Coughing, I chugged the water down to soothe my esophagus.

“Sorry. You’re serious?”

“Very. The cruise disembarks on Wednesday, so we fly down on Tuesday. You’ll have two days to pack, shop, and tie up any loose ends.”

“Wait… you’re going too?”

“Absolutely. Kieran and I do most things together,” he purred. I didn’t miss the implication, my pussy starting a slow throb at the thought. “And I have some work to do while we’re there.”

“So, you’re pretty desperate to fill the ad if you’ve waited until the last minute?”

“We had some good candidates today,” he hedged, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“But you don’t want them. You want me,” I said with confidence.

Jace smiled, sending butterflies through me. Shit. I couldn’t like him, too. It would make things complicated. I already had myself up to my eyeballs in complicated. Retreat hormones. Focus on the dick.

“You have no idea, Firecracker. So, are you in? Will you fill the companion ad and make Kieran the happiest grump alive by fake dating him?”

“Shouldn’t we meet first? What if we hate one another?”

“Kieran hates most people, so that’s not a good measure, but I have a good feeling about you, Everly. If you sign here, I can send you all the travel information to fill out and arrange a time to go shopping with you on Monday.”

“You’re going shopping with me?” I couldn’t seem to stop posing questions or ignore the way my body responded to everything he said.

“Of course. Believe it or not, I’m a photographer and have an eye for fashion. I know all the best places and the type of outfits you’ll need. Plus, it will be fun to spend time with you unless you want to go on your own. I won’t force my presence on anyone.”

His words were said teasingly, but I picked up some fear and doubt laced in them. I couldn’t deny that the man in front of me intrigued me, and spending a day shopping with him sounded fun. It had nothing to do with wanting to make him happy or erase that pain he hid deep inside.

Nothing at all.

So, don’t even think about it. It was a job. One I’d never had before. Plus, who didn’t want to spend their thirtieth birthday on a cruise? Sounded like paradise.

I reached across to pick up the pen and signed the contract before I could talk myself out of it. Jace smiled at me, this one sliding over my body like the world’s best body butter.

As most jobs went, I would crash and burn or sail through with flying colors… and maybe a few orgasms. It might be my best job yet.

We exchanged information and set up a time to meet on Monday. I left the hotel bar with a smile and a plan in the works.

Now, I only had to find a place to crash for two days and make it through them without caving to see Cruz or Phantom.

Just call me Everly Carlisle, Companion Extraordinaire.