Chapter 2
Chapter two
Nash
A sacred hush blanketed the office as I pressed the power button on my computer monitor and watched it sleepily blink off.
Usually, I enjoyed these last minutes of going through the motions of closing down the workplace.
But tonight, coming off the high of that party, my usual nightly rituals didn’t calm the champagne bubbles in my veins, even though there’d been no alcohol present tonight.
If I was being honest with myself, it wasn’t the party on my mind while I flicked off the annoying hum of the overhead light and closed my office door.
No, grand as the event was—Stephanie did better than I dreamed and certainly better than the original planner I’d hired—my thoughts were firmly centered around my off-limits PA.
Stephanie Addams was a dead ringer for Wednesday Addams with her bouncy jet-black curls, gorgeous hazel eyes, and pale complexion, but we weren’t close enough for me to make that comment yet.
Although, based on our conversation in the hallway tonight, I was her new fake boyfriend, so maybe that observation would become acceptable between here and…
wherever we were going. That minor detail about the location seemed to have slipped through the cracks.
No matter. It could be Timbuktu for all I cared.
I had the chance to date the woman of my dreams. Merry Christmas to me.
Pausing in front of Stephanie’s desk just opposite my office, I groaned and scrubbed a hand over my face.
It was effortlessly tidy, like always. Stephanie’s need for order was rather endearing, though I’d never tell her that.
I wasn’t a slob, but her brand of neatness definitely brought a whole new level of structure to my life.
I eyed the collection of framed photos lining the desk, nestled between her stapler and a Christmas tree mug full of pens.
Stephanie and a burly man in a Marine Corps uniform—her oldest brother, I recalled.
Stephanie, a redhead, and a brunette all cheek to cheek at the beach, grinning at the camera—her sister-in-law and cousin.
Another frame of Stephanie and four of her nieces and nephews.
And the last frame of Stephanie and her three best friends in fancy dresses.
Maybe at a wedding, given the white dress?
I knew Liz from church and from the friendship she and Stephanie shared with my own best friends’ wives.
The other two women—Juliet and Paisley—I hadn’t met, but I’d heard plenty about, thanks to the way Stephanie lit up when she talked about them.
It was ridiculous to be jealous of memories, but I couldn’t help wishing I had more photographs of my own I’d want out on display.
My phone buzzed in my coat pocket. It was a text from Stephanie with a link to my online calendar, updating it with a newly scheduled haircut for this weekend.
I couldn’t help my smile if I tried. Which I didn’t because there was no one around to judge me.
While handling my appointments was part of Stephanie’s job, I was touched when she noticed little things like that.
There weren’t a ton of people in my life who cared about me for anything beyond my money.
Stephanie’s thoughtfulness was one of the things I cherished.
Along with her rare smile, quick wit, intelligence, the way her presence set me at ease… Okay, man, pull it together.
From the minute Stephanie glided into my office two years ago, dressed in smart black dress slacks, a white blouse, and a red blazer, I’d wanted to ask her out.
Unfortunately, the moment she marched into my office that Thursday afternoon also meant she was interviewing for the position as my new personal assistant.
And asking her on a date would have been an HR headache.
A boss dating his assistant. That’s how all the sleazy films started out, or so I was told by my best friend’s wife, who, as an author, was knowledgeable about these things.
No. I couldn’t ask Stephanie Addams out on a date until I figured out the power imbalance.
I was the boss, and HR technically could have gone for it with a few forms and signatures, but the power dynamic didn’t sit right with me.
Particularly with who her father was. Yeah…
Shooting Stephanie a quick thank you, I blew out a breath and headed for the elevators, leaving the smiling faces behind, frozen in time. Entering the elevator, I punched the ground floor button and waited.
Hiram Addams was Genesis’s biggest marketing competitor in the country, and he just so happened to be Stephanie’s father.
There was a story behind her choice to come work for me when her father was in the same business and employed most of his other children, but I hadn’t heard it yet.
Only enough to know there was tension and estrangement involved.
Looked like I’d be getting a front-row seat to the story this Christmas.
I need a fake boyfriend. Those five words clawed their way through my brain and glued themselves there, repeating on a loop.
She was a stunning woman, inside and out.
How had no guy seen that? Not that I was complaining because I didn’t want that guy to be anyone but me.
Still, she was an attractive woman. She’d never brought a plus-one to an event unless it was Liz.
Acting as Stephanie’s fake boyfriend meant she had the final say, since I wasn’t her boss in this situation, and we were off the clock.
A golden opportunity to balance the power dynamic.
And meeting to discuss terms was a good plan because I meant it when I said I’d do anything in my power for her.
We were already friends as much as our work relationship allowed.
How different could fake dating be? Unless you mess things up and make things awkward after the holidays, and she quits because she can’t stand you.
The frosty air smacked my face, jarring me from my less-than-helpful train of thought, as I exited the main floor lobby.
Christmas was definitely on the way, which I both loved and dreaded.
Hitting the key fob, I slid into my Jeep Wrangler, the last car in the parking lot—my usual MO—and cranked the heat, blowing on my hands as “Jingle Bells” played on the radio.
Could I have upgraded to a nicer vehicle years ago?
Sure. But I had an emotional attachment to the old tin wagon.
It was the first vehicle I’d bought in college, saving all my own money, and it still ran fine twelve years later.
I’d upgrade one day, but for now, it was a good reminder of how far I’d come from the kid who’d worked two jobs in high school to pay for his mom’s rent.
Just thinking about Mom curdled my gut. Don’t focus on that tonight.
You got the chance to date the only woman you’ve shown a modicum of interest in over the last decade. Figure out how to not mess this up.
Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I opened the group chat with my two best friends.
THE WISE GUYS TEXT THREAD
I snorted every time I saw the name. It harkened back to the time newlywed Ryan had volunteered me and Emmett to join him as wise men in the church nativity pageant his wife was directing. Our first—and only—stage debut. And the name stuck.
ME
Who wants to take the topic of “fake dating” for 200 points?
Broaching the subject with Ryan and Emmett equaled opening a whole can of worms. But they were both married, so clearly they were doing better in the romance department than I was.
Plus, they knew Stephanie and had seen us interact.
Whatever teasing lay ahead might be worth it if I had some help wooing her.
Words I never thought I’d use. Besides, Ryan’s wife, Kelsi, was a romance author, and he was forever spouting off things about tropes and Hallmark. It was a little scary, honestly.
Hmm… Hallmark. Steph mentioned that tonight. Clearly it was a topic I needed to invest some time in researching further.
Two seconds later, my screen lit up as the chaos descended. Wow, that was fast, even for them.
RYAN
It’s my time to shine, boys. Fake dating. Defined as a dating relationship that is not real but faked for mutual benefits, but eventually both parties inevitably fall in love.
EMMETT
It’s horrifying you know that.
Also, why do we want to know this, Nash?
RYAN
Is there a girl?
ME
“Inevitably fall in love?” You make it sound like a communicable disease.
My point in asking is why someone would fake date.
RYAN
To avoid a harassing ex, for the drama, for family expectations, to make an ex jelly.
ME
Never use the word “jelly” again.
EMMETT
Seconded. We will disown you.
RYAN
How about well jel?
ME
Take a step back from the Jeeves and Wooster reruns or we will stage an intervention. Kelsi will be on our side.
RYAN
You have no taste. They never used that term on the show. And low blow to include my wife.
ME
Back to the matter at hand.
RYAN
Kelsi knows about this stuff better.
EMMETT
Nash. Why do you care? And why do we care for that matter?
RYAN
I repeat: IS THERE A GIRL, PRESCOTT? SPILL.
ME
Someone mentioned fake dating in conversation at tonight’s party. Curiosity killed the cat.
EMMETT
Sounds like a horrible conversation for a Christmas party. My condolences to the cat.
Did Stephanie knock it out of the park?
RYAN
Rightttt. Your crush. And your PA. Send pictures.
Of the party décor and food in case that wasn’t clear.
We’ve met Stephanie and know what she looks like.
EMMETT
Quit before you make this creepy, my man.
ME
I’m sure Stephanie has pictures. She might send them to you if you ask nicely.
And not a crush. What, are we in junior high?
EMMETT
Clearly one of us never left.
RYAN
I resent that.
If you’re that invested in the topic, I’ll send over a list of films and books Kelsi recommends for a comprehensive study of fake dating.
ME