Fake Date
Calista
The problem he faces is he’s been lying about being engaged to an omega. That’s where I come in.
I’m supposed to play the part of his omega.
It wouldn’t be the first time an alpha faked having one.
And falling into the role shouldn’t be hard.
I’ve been around alphas plenty of times.
I know how to get them to pay big tips when I work at the Lounge as a server.
This shouldn’t be much different. Except this time I’m nervous.
I have to go with a stranger. I have to act as if I’m in love with him.
I have to pretend this is my future. And the feelings settling inside me prove just how much I don’t want it.
“Don’t forget my parents are coming this evening. What if the event runs late?” I ask, running my fingers through my soft curls still warm from the styling tool.
“Don’t worry about them. I plan to greet them myself and will serve an extra extravagant meal. They will forget why they’re even here.” Ivy saunters closer and touches the straps of my dress, adjusting the V-neck top lower to expose my cleavage.
I cringe at her touch, wishing she wouldn’t insist I dress in an outfit comparable to lingerie. It’s uncomfortably short and my heels are wickedly high, making me nearly as tall as Ivy. I would think a more formal gown would be appropriate, but she insisted this is what her client picked out.
It’s probably because he can imagine me with it off. It leaves a little to his imagination.
“Is there anything else I should know about Mr. Carter?” I step out of Ivy’s reach and grab my small bag from my dresser.
“That you need to make sure to call him Joseph. You are supposed to be his fiancée. Make sure you act more comfortable than this. I’ve never seen you so stiff.
You can still take me up on my offer for something to help relax you.
” Ivy pulls a small bottle from her pocket and shakes it.
“It won’t mess with your perception. It’ll just settle you down. Help you relax and have fun.”
“No. I’ll be fine. I’m ready.” I toss my hair over my shoulder and expose my neck, knowing that the gesture will send my omega scent into the air.
Instead of suppressing it, I applied a cream that will enhance it.
Everyone needs to know I’m an omega from a mile away.
They need to know that I’m Joseph Carter’s.
I hate the sound of that.
“Perfect, because he’s here.” Ivy glances at her phone and smiles. She holds it up so I can look at the screen. I see two-thousand dollars displayed as a payment from Pack Carter.
I can’t stop the frown crossing my face. “I thought you said a grand not two.”
“This is a partnership. Fifty-fifty split. Is there an issue?” Ivy stares at me, waiting for me to argue.
I don’t get the chance because my cell phone rings, drawing my attention to it. It’s my mom. I wonder if she arrived here early.
Ivy doesn’t give me a chance to answer it, snatching it away. “You don’t need this right now. Here, this will be the phone you’re taking. Now let’s hurry up. Mr. Carter is waiting downstairs.”
I guess I better start acting like a compliant omega.
I really wish Ivy would’ve given me a chance to talk to my mom, but I know this should be more important right now.
I made an agreement and I must stick to it.
It’s what will help me for my future. And a thousand dollars for a fake date? That’s unreal.
My phone rings again, drawing my attention to Ivy’s hand. She doesn’t have a chance to turn it away before I see my mom’s name again.
She waves me to head toward the door and brings my phone to her ear.
“This is Ivy Daines with the Omega Resort. Cali is currently busy, so how can I help you?” Ivy winks at me with her smile, pressing the phone to her ear.
A masculine voice mumbles through the line. It’s not my mom. I can’t tell if it’s Henry either.
“I’m sorry. Like I said, Cali is not available. Would you like me to pass on a message to her?” Ivy herds me along, guiding me toward the elevator.
The masculine voice says something again, but I can’t make it out.
“Just let me talk to them,” I say, trying to grab my phone back.
“Calista?” The masculine voice shouts, now loud enough for me to hear.
“Just call back later. She’s busy.” Ivy smacks her finger to my phone, hanging up on the caller.
She presses her finger to my lips. “It was nothing that couldn’t wait. We have someplace to be. You cannot be late. I will not allow you to make me look bad. Now hurry up. Mr. Carter is waiting.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I guess this is my life for the next year.
So much for true independence. I just hope it’s worth it.
“Ms. Daines was right about you, Cali. You are just perfect. I almost forgot you weren’t really my omega.
The CEO of Denison Tech loved you. He even told me he was jealous.
And that’s saying a lot, considering who his omega is.
” Joseph smiles at me, the corner of his eyes crinkling.
I had no idea what to expect, but it wasn’t a man in his forties who was actually married to a beta.
There would’ve never been sex involved. I’m very relieved.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that possibility when Ivy had mentioned she could arrange it.
“You made it easy, Joseph. I’m not going to lie, but I was nervous. I had no idea what to expect.” I bite my bottom lip, smiling slightly. “I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say, but I’ve never done this before.”
“Well, I hope you would be open to doing this again. I have another event in a month. I would be eternally grateful if you would attend with me. I’ll even give you an advance now to guarantee it.
” Joseph pulls out his wallet and removes several hundred dollars from it.
“You don’t even have to share it with Ms. Daines. It’ll be our secret. What do you say?”
I don’t even know what to say.
He mistakes my hesitation for disagreement, and his features darken for a split second. He takes out another couple hundred dollars from his wallet and hands them to me.
“Is this enough? Now that I’m in this position, I need to secure you on my calendar. I was under the impression that this would be long-term,” Joseph tightens his jaw, staring me down.
“Oh, I’m sorry. The first amount was fine. I was just surprised. I wasn’t sure you wanted to see me again because of your wife.” I try to hand the money back to him, but he raises his hand to deny me.
Exhaling a deep breath, Joseph smiles. “She has nothing to do with my business practices.”
She has nothing to do with him or is he lying to her? Does it matter? I guess not. I’m not doing anything inappropriate. I didn’t even allow him to kiss me on the mouth.
“So when is the next event so I can put it on my calendar?” I ask instead of prodding for more information. I suddenly want to get out of here. His visceral reaction concerns me. I wonder what would have happened had I not de-escalated things quickly by clearing things up.
“The first Saturday of next month. It’s an all-day event, so I’ll make sure to pay triple. I’ll let Ivy know that I will arrange things with you personally. She doesn’t need to know how much you’ll get. I know she tries to take more than she should. Are you good with that?”
I’m more than good with that. This is what Ivy was talking about, even if she doesn’t know it.
I can handle things on my own. And if this was even only a monthly arrangement, I made more money tonight than I do in two weeks at the Lounge.
This is life changing. I could save up and sponsor myself.
I could pay whatever I need to have an alpha approve my sterilization application.
“That’s perfect,” I say, opening my arms to offer Joseph a hug in appreciation. It’s the little things that trigger an alpha to be more caring. He doesn’t seem like the type who would want to agree with a handshake.
He laughs and steps closer, engulfing me in his arms, twirling me off my feet. I smile, but not because of his actions. I grin because of mine. This is amazing. I’m proud of myself. I knew I could be independent even if Ivy had me questioning everything.
“Thank—” A familiar scent cuts off my words of appreciation. What the hell? I don’t know who it belongs to, but I have smelled this man before.
Joseph grabs my hand and pulls me closer, stepping in front of me. “Cali, go to the car and wait for me.”
I ignore him and peer toward the end of the building. My feet can’t find the way to follow his instructions.
“I said go.” Joseph shocks me by pushing his jacket aside to reveal a weapon.
My eyes widen as he pulls it from its sheath, the gun gleaming under the streetlamp.
“Calista, tell the alpha to stand down. We are not a threat.” I can’t see the alpha, but I know he’s close by.
Joseph’s eyes narrow. “You had someone spying on us? No one was supposed to know about the situation except for you, me, and Ivy.”
I take another step back, putting space between us. “We didn’t tell anyone. I don’t know them.”
“Just go to your car, asshole. This isn’t about you. Just get out of here, and we’ll forget anything we heard.” Another voice comes from behind Joseph, and I cover my mouth with my hand, watching as a figure materializes nearby, a similar weapon in his hand.
Joseph raises his hands. “I don’t want any trouble. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
The guy steps closer. “Just get out of here.”
Joseph doesn’t hesitate. He leaves me standing alone on the sidewalk.
My heart pounds so hard that I feel as if it might explode.
I feel as if I will die at any second.
Because who are they?
Why are they here?