Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
CARA
I had no clue what to wear for my date with Vera. No. Not a date. For my dinner with Vera. I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard, but at the same time, I didn’t want to look like I wasn’t trying at all.
Groaning, I walked back to my closet. There had to be something in here that would work.
It shouldn’t have been so difficult to find something.
It wasn’t like I was trying to impress her or anything.
She already seemed to want me, not that it mattered because I didn’t want her back or anything, but the attention was still nice to have.
After going back and forth in my closet, I finally settled on an option I was pretty happy with.
I went with a navy blue minidress with a high slit, and paired it with black strappy heels.
It was simple and appropriate for a nice dinner, while also showing the amount of skin I usually liked to show.
I had tried to suggest somewhere more affordable than Stella’s.
The restaurant was in the city, and was on the expensive side.
Drea and I had had many lunch dates there together.
But Vera insisted I chose my favorite place, so I did.
When I mentioned it, she said she knew of it and couldn’t wait. She didn’t even blink.
By the time I pulled up to the restaurant.
My stomach was in knots. Was I really about to do this?
Spend the evening with Vera, in this nice restaurant, and talk about fooling my friends?
I felt nauseous just thinking about it. I had to remember my conversation with Eloise, and not think so much about it.
As soon as I spotted Vera, my stomach dipped.
She was wearing a black button-up shirt that didn’t appear to have a wrinkle in sight.
The sleeves were rolled up just past her forearms, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.
She really was gorgeous. Fuck, I really was about to do this.
When she looked up and spotted me, her smile was pure softness. She stood up as I walked over, but she didn’t reach out to hug me or anything.
“You made it,” she said as she walked over to pull my chair out for me. I was stunned. I’d never had someone do that for me. I guess chivalry wasn’t dead after all.
“I did. I told you I would be here.” I smiled and sat down. As uncomfortable as I was, I never went back on my word unless something happened that was out of my control.
“You look incredible,” she said after she sat in her chair.
I blushed and paused when our server came to take our order. I ordered a lemonade and water, and Vera ordered iced tea. We ordered bread for the table and wanted a few minutes to look at the menu.
“Thank you, Vera. You look very…” I paused, not sure what was appropriate. “What do you prefer? Pretty? Handsome?”
She laughed. “Pretty, handsome, sexy, mouth-watering. Whatever you’d like, princesa.”
I rolled my eyes at the nickname, but blushed at the accurate titles. She looked like all of that combined. “You look very good.”
“Gracias. I wanted to clean up for you. Are you ready to order?”
The waitress came back and took our orders. She ordered the steak with mashed potatoes and I ordered a salad. My nerves were shot and I wasn’t really that hungry, but I did add grilled chicken to the salad.
“So, when’s the wedding? What color suit do I need? What color dress are you wearing? I'd like to color coordinate so I don’t embarrass you.”
I almost choked on my lemonade. I guess we were just jumping right into it. “Slow down. I haven’t even agreed yet.”
“Yet. That means you will.”
“Vera, you’re not making this easy.”
“Making what easy? I’m not doing anything.”
“Saying no. You're making it impossible to say no to this crazy idea. It is a crazy idea, Vera!”
“It’s not that crazy. We’re both attracted to each other, so it’s believable.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Are you saying you're not attracted to me? Because I remember your body being very responsive.”
I took a sip of my water to hide the whimper that almost came out. I really needed to pull it together. It was like every time she talked to me or smiled at me, my body thought back to that night.
“Okay, rules. We need them. If I agree to do this, and that is a big ‘if,’ you cannot bring up that night. It’s in the past, so leave it there. Especially around my friends. No one knows it was you, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“No one besides Eloise. And are you ashamed of me? Is that why you’re hesitating?”
“No, Vera.” I shook my head vehemently. “No,” I said more firmly.
“I am not ashamed of you or what happened that night. I just… You aren’t someone I usually go out with, so I don’t want everyone asking questions.
They’re going to if I agree to this, though, and I don’t know what to say.
Not that there is anything wrong with you, there’s not.
I feel like I’m not getting the words across how I want them to.
I just want to see my best friend get married. ”
“I understand what you’re saying, and you don’t have to say anything to them. You’re an adult, and don’t need to explain your decisions to anyone. I know they’re your friends and they care about you.”
“I know, I know. So you really want to do this? Pretend to be my date to the wedding? Which is in a few months, by the way. And my dress is red, so what you’re wearing now is perfect.” I couldn’t hide my smile.
“I really do. I think it could be a lot of fun, and who knows, you might learn to tolerate me along the way.”
“Yeah, we’ll see. I have a few events to attend, so that means, as my date, you’ll be expected to tag along. I can always make up an excuse when the time comes, though.”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’m all in on this, Cara. You're stuck with me for the next few months.”
“I guess I am.” What in the hell had I gotten myself into?
“There’s probably something I should mention about Drea’s maid of honor and one of her bridesmaids.”
“Oh, sounds like chismé. Let me hear it!”
I laughed. “I’m only telling you this because we’re going to be spending a lot of time with them, and if it comes up, my actual girlfriend wouldn’t be caught off guard.”
“Okay, now I’m nervous, but you have my full attention.”
I took a breath, steading myself. “So, Fallon is Drea’s best friend and Mackenzie is her wife.
Long story short, I sort of dated them both, and it did not end well.
I didn’t date them at the same time, and at the time, they were ‘keeping things casual’ so no one was being cheated on or anything.
I was out with Fallon on our first, and last date, and Mackenzie happened to be there.
It got a little messy, literally, but it’s all forgotten about and they’re happy and I’m happy and we’ve all moved on. ”
She looked at me for a minute, her expression serious. “Did she hurt you? Start from the beginning. What did she do to you?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, she didn't hurt me.” I went on to tell her the whole messy story. From when I first met Fallon, to the kiss at her party, which Vera did not like, to the spilling wine and learning how to make Fallon come fiasco.
“?Cómo se atreve a hablarte así? Who does she think she is? Te juro que si alguna vez la veo—”
“Vera, I don’t know what you’re saying, but please relax. Like I said, we were all young and dumb. They have both apologized countless times about it, and we are all good friends. I only told you because we joke about it sometimes, and I didn’t want you to be surprised and raise questions.”
“Fine. Thank you for telling me, princesa.” She smiled, and I really hoped that was the end of that conversation.
The rest of the night flowed seamlessly. We talked a little more about the wedding and where it was. She didn’t seem to have a problem with flying to Bali, especially when I told her Drea was paying for the hotel accommodations.
We talked about other things in our lives until the check came and she refused to let me pay. “Vera, I picked the restaurant, let me pay.”
“Are you out of your mind? You only had a little salad, I had a big steak. I’m paying. You can get the next one,” she said with a wink.
“Oh, you think there’s going to be a next time?”
“If I play my cards right, I hope.”
I didn't respond, I just smiled and let her pay. She was persistent, I’d give her that. There was most definitely not going to be a next time. She’d be my date for this wedding, we’d attend a couple of events, and go our separate ways. That was it.
I stood up and she placed her hand on the small of my back, guiding me out of the restaurant. She held the door open for me and I couldn’t help but feel warmth at the gesture. Maybe this fake dating thing would work out in my favor.
We started walking toward our cars and stopped at mine. “Where did you park?” I asked.
She pointed to a few cars down from mine. “That black truck’s mine.”
“Of course it is.” I smiled rolling my eyes. “Well, thank you for dinner. I actually enjoyed myself.”
“You’re very welcome, princesa, and I won’t be offended that you didn’t expect to.”
“Vera,” I started but she shook her head.
“Don’t say anything. Like I said, I’m used to it.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.
“I’m sorry. This is all new to me, and I’m acting like an asshole. Please know I don’t regret our night, at all. But that’s all it was, one night. I’m sorry.”
“Cara,” she said, taking a step closer and dancing her fingers across my wrist. My breath caught and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from where her hand was.
Her other hand came up to grab my chin, tilting up so that my eyes met hers. Her hand stayed there, rubbing my jaw softly, causing heat to coarse through my entire body and pool collectively where it shouldn’t have been.
“Please stop apologizing. I’m not judging you, and you’re not being an asshole.
No, we aren’t actually dating, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to treat you right.
I’d like us to be friends, if nothing else.
Just because I’m more attracted to you than you are to me, doesn’t change that.
I’m not some clingy person that’s going to beg you to fall in love with me, but I’m also not going to give up so easily either. ”
Friends. I think I could handle that. I appreciated the fact that she understood we wouldn’t be anything more than that, but what I wouldn’t tell her was that I didn’t want the flirting to stop just yet. I enjoyed the attention, to be honest.
She leaned in closer and I closed my eyes, fully expecting her lips to meet mine. Instead, her soft lips landed on my cheek that I was sure was warm from the blush I couldn’t get rid of.
She pulled back slowly and I opened my eyes to see her damn smile again. “Goodnight, princesa. Drive safe.” She turned to walk away before I could even get another word out.