3. Nola
3
NOLA
I can’t believe that I already received a message to be someone’s holidate. I checked out Bradley’s profile and his picture. He’s really attractive and handsome, in a rugged way. He had dark brown hair, and a matching-colored short beard, strong jaw line, and his smile is swoon worthy. I’m sure if I met him in person and he smiled at me like his picture, I’d go weak in the knees for sure.
Bradley wasn’t just good-looking, he seemed like a cool person, too, from the short conversation we had. It took me a minute to respond, but I told him that I’ll go with him as his holidate. I wasn’t sure if he’d really go to mine after I tell him that he’ll need to pretend to be my boyfriend and meet my family and friends.
MAGNOLIA
Before we do that, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ll understand if you change your mind about the holidate with me.
brADLEY
Okay, what’s up?
MAGNOLIA
I need my holidate to pretend to be my boyfriend and to meet my parents and friends. Would you be comfortable doing that?
Bradley didn’t respond right away, and it felt like I waited forever as the minutes went by.
brADLEY
Sorry, the food I was cooking was about to burn. I’m comfortable being your fake boyfriend. I think that we should definitely meet up before your event and make sure we know each other enough, then we are on the same page with our stories.
MAGNOLIA
Most definitely!
brADLEY
Do you want to write up the terms of our holidates agreement then I’ll add anything needed?
MAGNOLIA
Sounds good. I’ll send it over by tomorrow. Good night, Bradley.
brADLEY
Good night, Magnolia.
I placed my phone on my dresser and the corners of my lips tugged up to a smile. I had a good feeling about this holidate and hopefully it would mean for my family to finally get off my back about not having a boyfriend.
I got ready for bed, changing into sleep shorts and a tank top, then slipped under the covers. For the last couple of hours, I’ve been thinking of what our holidate terms would be. Obviously, there would be hand holding, hugging, and kissing. I needed to make it believable that this holidate was my real boyfriend.
I picked up my phone and went back into the Holidates app, then started on the agreement. The terms were:
Kissing, holding hands, and hugging are okay
No sharing one bed if we had to share a room
Treat one another like a we’re in a real relationship.
Terms of endearment are okay.
Pretend to be in a relationship and as a couple when around family and friends.
No hitting on other people while together.
I reviewed the list I had and sent it to Bradley along with my phone number.
MAGNOLIA
Did you want to meet up sometime this week to go over the holidates details in person and our “meet cute?” LOL
brADLEY
I didn’t think you’d have the agreement done by tonight. LOL Eager, aren’t we?
I giggled. Was he flirting?
MAGNOLIA
You’ll learn that I’m always trying to stay ahead of the game. LOL
brADLEY
I can’t wait.
I was surprised he answered right away, but before I could respond in the app, I received a text from a number I didn’t recognize..
UNKNOWN
Hi Magnolia, this is Bradley. You have my number now. Don’t lose it. I wouldn’t want my girlfriend to have no way of reaching me.
MAGNOLIA
Well, maybe my boyfriend should be close by at all times.
A warmth spread on my cheeks and I smiled wide. I barely knew this man and he was already flirting with me. Hell, he was my boyfriend .
brADLEY
Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that you’ll have your boyfriend right by your side.
brADLEY
I’ll look over the agreement and sign it. Tomorrow I’ll check my schedule and let you know when I’m free to meet up with you this week.
MAGNOLIA
Sounds like a plan. I’ll talk to you soon.
brADLEY
Good night, girlfriend.
MAGNOLIA
Good night, boyfriend.
Setting down my phone on my nightstand, I turned off my bedside lamp, and laid down, the smile on my face never leaving. I’m looking forward to meeting Bradley this week. He seems really nice and charming from my encounter with him already. We’ll see how he really is when I meet him. With heavy eyelids, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
It’s been four days since Bradley first reached out to me on the Holidates app, and today was the day that I’d meet him for the first time in person. I was nervous, my hands were clammy, and body was heating up as I finished getting ready for our meeting. I couldn’t focus at work today with all the excitement and nerves of meeting my fake boyfriend tonight.
Bradley suggested we meet up at Rogue Bar and Lounge in the city. I’ve been there once when they first opened a couple of years, but have been too busy since to visit again. I glanced at myself in the full-length mirror, making sure that I looked nice. I curled my long, black hair in loose waves, kept my makeup simple with blush, mascara, and a dark rose-colored lipstick, and wore dark blue jeans, black heels, and a black, slouchy sweater that hung off one-shoulder. I took a deep breath in and sighed. I think I’m ready.
I left my place and headed to the restaurant. It was pretty busy, which was expected for a popular restaurant on a Friday night. I walked inside, scanning the room to find someone that looked like the guy in the Holidates app profile.
“Welcome to Rogue, did you have a reservation?” the young, blonde hostess asked.
“I think my friend made a reservation, but I’m not sure. It should be under Bradley,” I told her.
She looked down at her tablet and smiled. “Yes, right this way. He’s here already.” She led me to one of the tables in the back of the room, which was a bit quieter as it was away from the bar area.
“Here you are,” the hostess said, then turned on her heel and walked away.
I glanced at the man sitting across the table. Goddamn! He’s hot. He stood up and rounded the table, standing in front of me. He wore a charcoal-colored, long-sleeved shirt, dark wash jeans, and a leather jacket.
“You must be Magnolia,” he said, grinning, towering over me even with my four-inch heels on.
I nodded, extending my hand. “Hi, Bradley. Pleasure to meet you.”
He took my hand, a jolt of electricity spurred up my arm. Did he feel it, too? We briefly shook hands then he pulled a chair out for me, being a real gentleman.
I sat down and he went back around the table, sitting across from me.
“Have you been here before?” he asked. His hazel eyes had flecks of gold in them, glittering from the candlelight.
“Yes, once when they first opened. Do you go here often?” I asked.
“Frequently. I usually go here during happy hour to visit my buddy, Wesley, who owns this place,” he said.
“So, as a loyal customer, what do you recommend?”
“You should definitely try one of their custom cocktails and the poké nachos appetizers, that’s if you like raw fish,” he suggested.
“I love sashimi and poké. How about we share that?” I asked.
He nodded, the grin across his face widened, showing his bright white smile. I knew that smile of his would make me weak.
“Magnolia—” he started.
“Please, call me Nola. I hate my name and prefer people to call me Nola.”
“Okay, Nola. It’s still a pretty name,” he said, making me blush. “Then please call me Brad, Bradley is too formal.”
“Okay, sounds good, Brad. I’m sorry to interrupt you, but what were you about to say?” I asked.
“No worries. I was going to say that we should order then talk about our holidate details with your family.”
We placed our food and drink order, then when the waiter walked away, I glanced up and Brad was gazing at me. Our eyes locked and my lips curved to a smile.
“I’m sorry for staring. I haven’t told you yet, but I think you’re really beautiful,” he told me.
My cheeks heated up, blushing. With the the way my cheeks felt, I’m sure they were a dark pink.
“Thank you,” I said.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel embarrassed. I’m just surprised that you’d need to find a fake boyfriend.”
I tilted my head to the side, furrowing my brows.
“You’re beautiful. I’d think you’d have a boyfriend already,” he said.
“Oh.” I chuckled. “I’m busy working and don’t have time to date. How about you? You’re handsome. I assumed you’d have no trouble finding a date for your gala.”
I watched his cheeks tinge pink at my compliment. Before he could respond, the waiter brought our drinks and food, then left.
“Like you, I work a lot. I don’t plan on bringing a coworker as a date for a work event. That just leads to trouble and unnecessary drama that I don’t need.”
I nodded. “I completely agree with you.”
“So, Nola. What are we going to tell your family about us?” he asked, picking up his short glass of scotch and taking a sip. I followed the glass to his full, kissable lips.
I cleared my throat, looking away quickly, hoping he didn’t catch me staring.
“I was thinking that we met at a bar, like today. It was crowded, I almost fell because of my heels. Someone bumped into me, but you caught me then bought me a drink. How does that sound?” I asked.
His eyes lit up, grinning wide. “Sounds perfect. How about we make that meet-cute come true?” He chuckled.
“You want me to fall?” I giggled.
“You’re not going to fall. I’m going to catch you.” He smirked.
“Maybe we can try it later before we leave.” I gave him a sly smile.
Flirting and talking with him was easy. We continued to get to know one another, finding things we have in common besides music and traveling. I don’t care much for snowboarding, but I like going to Lake Tahoe and playing in the snow and going tubing. I liked reading anime and to my surprise, Brad did, too.
“I admire physical therapists,” Brad said.
I cocked a brow. “Really?”
“Yeah, a few years ago, I got into a bad snowboarding accident. With physical therapy, I was able to rehabilitate in less than a year with being able to walk again,” Brad confessed, giving me more insight about himself.
“I’m sure it was the motivation of a pretty therapist, am I right?” I giggled.
He shook his head, chuckling. “I had a male therapist, but if I saw you there, I’m sure I’d request to have you as my physical therapist.”
This guy is so charming. I’m just wondering if this was the way he was with all women or he was genuine with his flirting with me.
“Thank you. I’m glad that you recovered and appreciate the recognition of the work we do to help others. I hope to one day own my own clinic…So, how do you like being a software engineer?” I asked, changing the subject. “Which company do you work for?”
“Well, I work for SV Communications and I enjoy my job. The company has a great culture with its employees, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. That’s why I stayed with the company for the last five years.”
The corners of my lips tipped up to a grin. “It’s always nice to be with a company that you enjoy working at.”
“It sure does make it easier to get up and go to work.” He grinned, then lifted up his cocktail, bringing it up to his lips.
My eyes followed his movement, watching as he took a sip of his caramel-colored drink, his lips looking so soft. His tongue peeked out, licking his lip. I wondered how it would be to taste his lips and have him run his tongue along my body.
“You know, I’m glad we met, Nola. I hope that we convince your family about our relationship,” he said, snapping me out of thoughts.
My cheeks burned in embarrassment for staring at him and getting caught. I looked down at my drink, then took a sip to cool me off. Instead, it made me hotter as my gaze locked with Brad’s. He stared at me, a lazy smile on his lips. I wondered if this connection we were having was one-sided. He said I was beautiful, but maybe he was trying to be nice. I don’t know if he feels this connection like I do. Whatever it may be, I just know that this plan of having a fake boyfriend may actually work to get my parents off my back.
“I’m glad to have met you, too, Brad. I think that we’ll be able to fool them,” I said, feeling optimistic about having this handsome man as my fake boyfriend.