Chapter 12
Mallory must hate me with the burning passion of a thousand suns if she has to act her butt off to pretend she likes me.
The average human likes a lot of things. A warm towel straight from the dryer. Free food samples at Costco. Baby animals. A cold drink on a hot summer day.
As for me, Mallory has topped my list from the moment I met her and she opened her sassy mouth. I know I may not beat a cute puppy or kitten, but it’s hard to imagine not even being ranked on her list.
“All those times watching my commercial have prepared you for this moment,” I say. “It’s your time to shine.”
Once I put the car in park, Mallory hops out and walks to my side. She places her hands on her hips, a challenge in her eyes. “Prepare to be dazzled, Mr. Razzle-Dazzle.”
I lean closer, our faces a few inches apart. “I can’t wait.”
She takes a step back. “These photos won’t take themselves.”
“Then let’s go find our photographer.” I offer her my arm. She hesitates. “It’s an arm,” I muse. “You know, a common thing to hold as you walk while dating someone. Unless you want to hold my hand instead?”
That statement has her looping her hand through my arm faster than a hot knife through butter. I grit my teeth, wishing she had taken me up on the hand-holding, but at least she’s touching me in some capacity. That’s progress.
We head across the parking lot, and the photographer hops out of his car, approaching us with a lifted hand.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Griffin.” He shakes my hand and then smiles at Mallory. “You must be Mallory. It’s a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is all ours…” Mallory pauses, fishing for his name.
“Antonio.”
“Antonio,” Mallory echoes with a smile. I wish she would dish out her smiles to me that freely.
“Did you have any places in mind for the pictures?” I ask.
He nods. “There’s a historic building the next block over that will make a wonderful backdrop.”
“Lead the way.”
Mallory’s hand remains wrapped around my arm as we walk, but her attention is solely on Antonio.
They’re talking about something local that I don’t understand.
I’m completely out of the loop, feeling like a third wheel with my own girlfriend.
I should put the word fake in there, but nothing about my feelings for Mallory is fabricated.
An emotion I can’t name settles in my gut.
Mallory laughs at something Antonio said, and the sensation grows.
Jealousy—utter and complete jealousy that this man is the recipient of her smiles and laughs. Ones that I had to work hard for three years ago and would do anything to see aimed toward me again.
I take a deep breath, trying to stay quiet and not show my cards when I’m supposed to look the role of a doting boyfriend, not a jealous onlooker.
We reach the building not a moment too soon, and Mallory drops her hand. I instantly miss the feeling of her delicate fingers wrapped around my bicep.
“Give me just a minute, and I’ll be ready to go.” Antonio sets his bag on the ground and pulls out his camera. He points it around us, adjusting the settings.
Mallory wrings her hands together nervously. I reach over and wrap my hand around hers. “It’s just you and me here taking some pictures. Nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah, except for the fact that millions of people will see them,” she mutters.
“Only the ones we want them to see,” I remind her.
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?” Her laugh rings hollow.
“I won’t let Karina send any photos to the tabloids that you and I don’t agree on together. We’re a team in this, you and me.” I move my pointer finger between us. She looks at it with skepticism.
“All right, I’m ready to get started if you are.” Antonio’s peppy voice makes me jump. Whenever I’m around Mallory, it’s like I’m sucked into an alternate reality. One where only the two of us exist. One where nothing else matters.
Unfortunately, I’m stuck in this reality, where everything else matters. But it’s also what brought me back to her, so I can’t be too upset about it.
I look at Mallory for confirmation. She meets my gaze for a brief second before turning to Antonio. “We’re ready.”
“Wonderful, we’ll start with typical poses first.” He gestures behind us. “I’ll have you move a little closer to the building.”
We follow his instructions, and he smiles. “Perfect. Now, Griffin, I want you to hold her hand.” I intertwine our fingers, and Antonio nods in approval. “Mallory, I want you to place your free hand on his arm.”
I can see why he’s good at his job. This feels like a natural position for a couple in love. But for me, it feels like the ultimate tease…something I can’t have.
“I’ll have both of you look at the camera and smile.”
I do as Antonio says and hear the clicks of the camera.
“Great, now, Griffin, I’ll have you smile while looking down at Mallory. And, Mallory, keep your eyes on the camera.”
I’m sure I’m wearing a dopey grin while I look at her, but I can’t help it. It’s just the Mallory Effect.
“These are wonderful.” Antonio rocks enthusiastically on his feet. “Griffin, could I talk to you privately for a second?”
Oh no. Is he about to tell me that he knows this is all fake? Did we already fail this ruse? I jog over to him. “What’s up?”
“I need you to do something for the next shots, but the element of surprise is key.” Antonio lowers his voice.
“You’re going to be behind Mallory, and I want you to come forward and wrap your arms around her middle and hug her.
Make sure your head is visible beside hers in the shots.
You can smile, laugh, or look at her. Whatever feels most natural. ”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. “You’ve got it.”
“Great.” Antonio turns to Mallory, whose brow is furrowed, while I walk back to my spot. “Mallory, Griffin will be standing behind you in this shot, so you’ll be in the forefront of the images. Just keep your hands at your sides for me this time, okay?”
Mallory follows his instruction, and Antonio readies the shot. When he nods at me, I barrel forward, wrapping my arms around her middle.
Mallory gasps as I tighten my hold around her.
As if out of instinct, she grabs onto my arms and laughs.
Actual laughter bellows out of her. I can’t hold back the goofy grin that pulls at my lips, a tilted one just for her, as I look at her.
I’m amazed that I get to have this beautiful woman in my arms. That the world gets to think she’s mine.
When she looks up at me, her laughter dies, but a small smile remains on her lips.
Don’t read into it, Griffin, I remind myself. I know she’s playing up her reaction for the cameras, but deep down, I can’t help but wish she weren’t. I wish I knew what was holding her back. What’s changed for her.
“These are a masterpiece,” Antonio breathes. “The whole world is going to fall in love with you two. You’re going to be the next Brangelina. Well, minus the breaking up part. It’s obvious that you are in this for the long haul.”
“Oh, if he only knew,” Mallory mutters.
I respond by squeezing her waist.
Antonio lowers his camera. “Next, I want you to talk like normal. Tell the other person an inside joke to make them laugh. Whatever feels most normal for you as a couple.”
Mallory moves to my side, my arms still settled around her waist. “If we’re going to do our version of normal, I don’t think he’s going to get much good footage since I’ll be constantly rolling my eyes at your ridiculousness.”
“Then let’s lean into our fake normal. The one where you actually like me and can’t help but look at me like I’m the center of your world.”
“Do you want me to throw up?” Her eyes glitter with mirth. “I’m sure that will make an excellent cover photo for all the tabloids.”
“I can see the headline now: Lovesick.”
She smirks and pats my chest. “Always full of yourself. I guess some things never change.”
I laugh. “Only when I’m trying to draw out that beautiful smile of yours.
” I slide my hand up to cup her jaw. The edges of my fingertips graze her ear, and Mallory sucks in a breath.
I run my thumb along her bottom lip, and she stiffens.
Leaning down until my lips graze her other ear, I whisper, “This might be a crazy idea, but I think most girlfriends like being in their boyfriend’s arms.”
“I’m not the common girlfriend.” She loosens up a little bit, wrapping her arms around my waist, bunching my coat in her fists.
“Then it’s a good thing you’ve practiced my commercial so many times.”
She laughs, and it sounds like hearing my old favorite song on the radio—unexpected, but an instant onslaught of joy.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Antonio clicks away on the camera. “More of this. Pretend I’m not even here.”
“That’s going to be difficult.” Mallory presses her lips together, and my eyes drop to them.
“What is?”
“I can pretend he’s not here. But if we’re doing our normal couple thing, I’d be glaring at you, and I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t do much good selling our fated soulmates storyline.”
“Then allow me to take the lead.” I tighten my hold on her waist and move my other hand to the back of her head before I dip her, low and slow.
Mallory lets out a small gasp of surprise, and I smile, loving that I was the source of that sound.
“Yes, that’s perfect. Feel free to kiss now.”
My eyes find Mallory’s, asking her with a look if this is okay.
She gives me the barest of nods. It kills me knowing she’s only saying yes for the charade when I want nothing more than for this to be real.
But I have a fake relationship and believable chemistry to uphold, so I lean in and press a brief kiss to Mallory’s lips.
One that looks practiced and nice on the cameras—a movie kiss, if you will.
It’s nothing like our first kiss, lacking the emotions I feel stirring inside me. As quickly as it began, it’s over. I pull back, not wanting to scare Mallory away.