Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

Olivia

T he days since Christmas had flown by in a whirlwind of post-holiday returns and exchanges. I'd barely had time to breathe, let alone think about the upcoming New Year's Eve party or my fake boyfriend. It was probably for the best—the less I dwelled on either, the less likely I was to panic.

I hadn't seen Ruune since he'd walked me home after game night, but I didn’t mind. I’d been too busy with work to do much but collapse at the end of every day. The week between Christmas and New Year’s might be slow for most people, but not in retail.

Caroline had kept me updated on Ruune’s preparations for the party. Apparently, she'd sent both Griff and Ruune to what she called a "man spa" for grooming. The mental image of the towering blue aliens getting facials and mani-pedis was enough to make me snort with laughter.

"What's so funny?" Pippa asked, looking up from her computer.

I shook my head, grinning. "Just thinking about Ruune at a spa. Can you imagine him getting a hot stone massage?"

Pippa giggled. "Whoa, I would pay good money to see that. Do you think they had to custom make the spa robes to fit him?"

I hadn’t thought about that, but the mental picture of him in a too-small spa robe made me giggle harder. “I bet he's never experienced anything like it before."

“I’ll bet the spa hasn’t, either.”

Things with Pippa had definitely improved since I’d promised to find her a hot alien, and working with her had actually been a lot of fun. As fun as dealing with clients looking for last-minute New Year’s Eve dresses that would hide weeks’ worth of Christmas cookies could be.

I glanced at the clock on the wall, which killed my laughter. It was already 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve, and I still had so much to do before the party. Ruune had insisted on getting me a room at The Plaza so I wouldn't have to trek all the way back to my tiny, shared apartment to get ready. It was sweet of him, even if the extravagance made me a little uncomfortable.

He’d assured me over text this wasn’t a further relaxing of the rules since my rules had never mentioned hotel rooms. Clearly, an omission on my part.

I started packing up my things, my stomach doing nervous flips as I turned off my work computer. "I should get going," I told Pippa. "I've got to somehow transform myself into someone worthy of accompanying alien royalty to a fancy Upper East Side party."

Pippa raised an eyebrow. "You're gorgeous already, Liv."

I sighed, running a hand through my messy hair. "I've been so busy I haven't even thought about my hair or makeup. At this rate, Ruune's going to be prettier than me."

Pippa stood and put her hands on her hips as she eyed me. "Not on my watch.” She grabbed my arm and started marching me toward the escalator. "We're going to the makeup counter. Right now."

"What? Pippa, I can't—"

"You can, and you will," she said firmly, as we stepped onto the escalator and started descending. “Prior to my time working in bridal, I was at the Dior counter. Trust me, we'll have you looking like you’re royalty."

Before I could protest further, we arrived on the ground floor and wove our way through the busy cosmetics department. Pippa made a beeline for the Dior counter, where a statuesque blonde was arranging lipsticks.

"Trixie!" Pippa said when we got closer. "I need your help with an emergency makeover."

The blonde looked up, her perfectly arched eyebrows rising as she took me in. "Ooh, is this the famous Olivia?"

I blinked in surprise. "Famous?"

Trixie grinned, coming around the glass counter and pulling out a stool for me. "Girl, I've been following your love story with that hot alien on Insta. You two are couple goals!"

I felt my cheeks heat up as I sat. Our fake relationship was apparently more convincing than I'd realized. "Oh, um, thanks.”

As Trixie and Pippa started gathering supplies, I found myself wondering what would happen after Ruune left. Would we have to stage a breakup? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably. I pushed it away, not wanting to dwell on the inevitable goodbye.

"So, spill," Trixie said, as she started applying primer to my face. "What's it like dating a Valorian? Is it true what they say about alien stamina?"

I choked on air, coughing as Pippa patted me on the back. "I, uh, don't kiss and tell," I managed to say, once I'd caught my breath.

Trixie winked. "Fair enough. But seriously, you two are adorable together. The way he looks at you in those photos…it makes me believe in love again.”

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my heart fluttered at her words. This was all pretend, I reminded myself for the millionth time. Ruune was just a very good actor.

"All right, let's focus," Pippa said, coming to my rescue. "We're going for elegant but show-stopping. Liv's got a fancy party to attend.”

For the next hour, I sat still as Trixie and Pippa worked their magic. They chattered away about the latest celebrity gossip and makeup trends, but I found myself tuning out, lost in my own thoughts.

I couldn't help but think about how quickly Ruune had become a part of my life. It had only been a few days, but already I couldn't imagine not seeing his grin or hearing his laugh. The idea of him leaving after New Year's made my chest ache in a way I wasn't ready to examine too closely.

"And this is why I never fall in love," I muttered to myself.

"Did you say something, sweetie?” Trixie asked, pausing with a mascara wand in midair.

I shook my head "No, sorry. Just thinking out loud."

Pippa beamed at me. "We're done. Want to see?"

I took a deep breath and turned to face the mirror. The woman staring back at me was…stunning. My eyes looked huge and mysterious, smoky shadows making the green pop. My skin glowed, as if I’d just spent a week in St. Barts, and my lips were painted a deep, sexy red.

"Wow," I breathed. "You two are miracle workers."

Trixie beamed. "You were already gorgeous, honey. We just enhanced what was there."

I stood up, suddenly feeling more confident about the night ahead. "Thank you both so much. I don't know how to repay you."

"Just have an amazing time tonight," Pippa said, giving me a quick hug. "And maybe put a rush on my Valorian?”

I laughed, the tension I'd been carrying all day easing slightly. "I'll see what I can do."

As I gathered my things and prepared to leave, Trixie called out, "Don't forget to post lots of pics! Your followers are dying for more Ruune content!"

I waved goodbye, my smile faltering slightly as I headed for the exit. Our followers. Our fake relationship that had somehow become uncomfortably real, at least for me.

The crisp winter wind hit me as I stepped outside, and I took a moment to collect myself before hailing a cab. In a few hours, I'd be facing my parents, their judgmental friends, and a room full of expectations. But more importantly, I'd be facing Ruune.

Handsome, funny, surprisingly sweet Ruune. Who had no intention of doing anything but being a perfect fake boyfriend to impress my parents.

As I slid into the back of a taxi and gave the driver the address for The Plaza, I made a decision. I was going to try to enjoy every moment of tonight, real or fake. After all, if aliens could be real, who was to say that a fake boyfriend couldn’t be, too?