Chapter 8
The morning sun slanted through the narrow windows of Kelsey’s apartment, casting warm, golden bars across the faded rug.
The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint, ever-present hint of sandalwood from the candle on the bookshelf.
Kelsey sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her, a steaming mug cradled in her hands.
The couch cushions, worn soft from years of use, sank beneath her weight.
She took a sip of her coffee, the heat a welcome burn as it slid down her throat.
Her gaze drifted to the calendar pinned to the wall, mostly a chaotic collage of work shifts.
She had one week. Seven days until Elizabeth’s ex-wife’s wedding.
Seven days until she had to stand beside Elizabeth and…
The thought sent a frantic flutter through her stomach, a sickeningly sweet mix of excitement and a cold, creeping dread. It was insane.
Kelsey leaned deeper into the couch, the cushions soft beneath her, and let herself daydream.
Standing beside Elizabeth, close enough to brush shoulders.
Elizabeth’s hand on the small of her back, warm and steady, guiding her through a crowd of strangers.
Kelsey imagined the way Elizabeth’s eyes might soften when she looked at her, the way her mouth might curve into something almost like a smile.
Would Elizabeth wear a dress? The thought made Kelsey’s stomach flip. She’d only ever seen Elizabeth in blazers. But a dress would be devastating.
Or maybe Elizabeth would wear a suit.
Kelsey’s mind conjured the image: tailored trousers, a crisp white shirt, a tie or maybe nothing at all beneath the jacket. Her throat went dry.
Her stomach dropped as if she’d missed a step in the dark.
She didn’t know what she was going to wear.
The agreement had been clear: Elizabeth would cover the expenses for a dress, something appropriate for the occasion.
Kelsey bit her lip, her mind racing with questions.
What was appropriate? What color dress or suit was Elizabeth planning to wear?
They couldn’t clash, couldn’t look like they hadn’t coordinated.
She set her mug down on the coffee table, the clink of ceramic against wood sharp in the quiet room. Reaching for her phone, she opened her contacts and found Elizabeth’s name. Her fingers hovered over the text field, the cursor blinking patiently.
Hey, sorry to bother you on the weekend.. but I was wondering about the dress code/colors for the wedding?
She hesitated, her thumb poised over the send button. Was this too much? Too presumptuous? She didn’t want to seem needy, didn’t want to bother Elizabeth on her day off. But the wedding was a week away, and she needed to know.
Just as she was about to hit send, her phone rang. The sudden vibration startled her, and she dropped the phone onto the couch cushion. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the screen, Elizabeth’s name flashing across it.
She took a shaky breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and picked up the phone. “Hello?” Her voice came out steadier than she felt.
Kelsey clutched the phone tighter, her pulse still racing. Elizabeth’s voice, usually so composed, held a note of urgency. “Kelsey, I’m sorry to call you on a Saturday, but something’s come up.”
Kelsey swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “It’s okay. What’s going on?”
Elizabeth sighed, a sound that conveyed a mix of frustration and resignation. “Somehow, everyone at work knows we’re... dating. I didn’t expect the news to travel so fast.”
Kelsey’s heart skipped. Everyone knew? She hadn’t considered the ripple effect of their charade. “How did they find out?”
“Scott must have mentioned it to someone, and word spread. Now, I’m expected to bring my partner to a retirement party tonight.” Elizabeth paused, her voice softening. “I’m sorry, Kelsey. I know this is last minute, and I can pay you extra for the inconvenience, but—”
“I’ll do it,” Kelsey blurted before she could second-guess herself, the words tumbling out in a rush that left her cheeks flushed.
The phone grew slick against her palm as her pulse kicked up another notch.
Another night playing Elizabeth’s girlfriend—another evening of stolen glances and careful touches that would linger in her memory long after the performance ended.
Her stomach twisted with equal parts nerves and giddy anticipation.
She could already picture Elizabeth’s sharp blazer, the way her fingers would feel resting against the small of Kelsey’s back, the quiet intensity in her gray-blue eyes when she introduced Kelsey as hers.
Even knowing it was temporary, even knowing the contract had an expiration date, Kelsey couldn’t resist stepping deeper into this charade.
Elizabeth let out a breath, relief evident in her tone. “Thank you, Kelsey. I appreciate it.”
Kelsey’s mind raced ahead, already planning. “What kind of party is it? Should I find a dress?”
“It’s not that formal,” Elizabeth reassured her. “It’s at his brownstone—the retiring partner’s. Just something nice will do.”
Kelsey nodded, even though Elizabeth couldn’t see her. “Okay, something nice. Got it.” She bit her lip, thinking ahead. “Should we arrive together? Would that look better?”
Elizabeth considered this for a moment. “Yes, that would be best. Where do you live? I can pick you up.”
Kelsey hesitated, a flicker of self-consciousness washing over her. Her apartment in Astoria would be a far cry from Elizabeth’s place. “I’m in Astoria. But if it’s easier, I could come to your place? We could leave from there together.”
There was a brief pause before Elizabeth responded, her voice steady. “That would work. I’ll text you my address. Can you be here by six?”
Kelsey’s gaze flicked to the clock, her pulse thrumming in her ears, a cocktail of anticipation and anxiety stirring within her.
“Good,” Elizabeth said, her tone businesslike once more. “I’ll see you then. And Kelsey… thank you. I know this is a lot to ask.”
Kelsey smiled. “It’s no problem, Elizabeth. I’ll see you later.”
As she hung up the phone, Kelsey took a deep breath, her mind already spinning with what she needed to do.
She had to find something nice to wear, something that would make Elizabeth proud to have her on her arm.
She stood up, her eyes scanning her small apartment, already planning her outfit and the journey to Elizabeth’s place.
Tonight wasn’t just drinks at a bar where they might run into a random colleague. The retirement party meant an entire house full of tailored suits and sharp-eyed lawyers who’d dissect her with a glance.
The wedding loomed larger in her mind now. This was perfect the warm-up though, the first test of whether she could pass as someone who belonged in Elizabeth’s world. She pressed her palm to her stomach where nerves twisted beneath her ribs. The other night had gone fine. Tonight would too.