Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

Olivia

M y head felt like it was stuffed with cotton balls soaked in eggnog flavored vodka. I put a hand to my mouth, my stomach roiling at even thinking about eggnog. Sweet drinks that didn’t taste strong were my downfall.

Never again.

“Bold words,” I whispered to myself as I leaned my elbows on my desk and cradled my head in my hands.

All lies.

There was little doubt that I would be lured in by an elaborate concoction topped with sweet foam or a fruity drink with an umbrella come summer. Vows never to drink were about as easy to keep as my promises to myself to never go home with a guy on the first date. I loved making them but wasn’t so great at keeping them.

I squinted through my fingers at the computer screen, trying to focus my eyes and make sense of my upcoming appointments. Was I still drunk? It was entirely possible.

I groaned, regretting every single eggnog martini I'd knocked back to mask my nervousness about the ridiculous ruse Ruune and I had cooked up. And now Pippa was stomping around the department like a tiny, well-dressed thundercloud, making snippy comments that did nothing to help my hangover.

This is why I don't have boyfriends, I thought miserably. Even fake ones are more trouble than they're worth.

I massaged my temples, wondering if a date to my mother’s New Year's Eve party was worth this much headache. Then I remembered how miserable she made me each year, and I thought about the other reason I’d agreed to the plan—to keep Ruune out of trouble so he wouldn’t cause problems for Griff. It really was win-win. Besides, how hard could it be to fake-date a hot alien for a few more days?

The Fifth Avenue Club, the elite personal shopping department at Saks, was all sleek, polished surfaces and sharp edges—and the last place I wanted to be when I felt bad. The modern space was designed to exude luxury and understated elegance, not coziness or comfort. There was nothing soft about my shiny copper desk or the array of glittery pendant lights that hung overhead, creating a chandelier effect and sending light dancing across the polished cream tile floor that echoed every footstep.

The air was heavy with the scent of expensive perfume that did nothing to help settle my stomach. Classical music played softly in the background, barely audible over the clicking of high heels on the marble floors. It was meant to be a soothing atmosphere, but today it was just making my headache worse.

"Olivia?" Pippa's sickeningly sweet voice cut through the throbbing of my head. "You have a guest.”

I looked up to see a woman in head-to-toe Chanel clutching a caramel-colored Pomeranian to her chest. The dog was wearing a sparkly tiara that probably cost more than my rent.

“Mrs. Levi would like a new wardrobe," Pippa continued, her smile all teeth. "For the dog."

I knew Pippa was upset about catching me kissing Ruune, but this was a low blow. But even with my seniority, there was no way I could throw this back to her without looking like a total jerk.

I plastered on my best customer service smile as I stood. "Of course. I'd be happy to help." Then I grabbed Pippa's arm, steering her toward the back. "Could you excuse us for just one moment while we check our inventory?”

Once we were out of earshot and behind a circular rack of dresses, I turned to face her. "Look, I'm sorry I wasn't upfront about dating Ruune.”

She ran her fingers through her fiery hair. “You mean not mentioning it at all and letting me make a fool of myself in front of your friends?”

I winced at her accurate assessment. “You’re right. It was uncool of me, and I’m really sorry.”

“Fine.” She gave me a twitch of a shrug that told me it wasn’t fine.

“It’s not fine, but I can make it up to you.”

She looked askance at me, not that I blamed her for being wary. “How?”

I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially. "Ruune and Griff have more cousins."

I didn’t know this was true, but I assumed there were more of them. I was sure there were more Valorians. Setting one up with Pippa wasn’t a promise I should make without asking Griff or Ruune, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and a designer wardrobe for a dog officially qualified as desperate times.

Her green eyes flared with interest even if her frown faded only slightly.

"You play your cards right," I continued, "and I'll make sure you’re hooked up with the hottest one."

“You can do that?”

Her question was valid. I didn’t know if I could but right now, I'd say anything to avoid dressing a purse dog.

“My best friend is marrying the future ruler of the planet.”

She held out her hand. “Promise?”

I'd promise her just about anything, if it meant I didn't have to deal with Yappy McFancyPants out there. I shook her hand firmly. "You take the dog lady, and it's a deal."

Pippa's entire demeanor changed in an instant. Gone were the frowns and glares. Suddenly, she was the friendly redhead I’d met yesterday and had such fun getting to know. “Done.” She released a long breath. “Sorry I was such a witch today. It’s just that my ex-best-friend was sleeping with my ex-boyfriend for a year before I found out, so I guess I’m a little sensitive.”

I gaped at her, startled that she could say that without breaking down. “Oh crap, that’s awful. I’m so sorry. If I’d known—”

She fluttered a hand in the air to dismiss my apologies. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t screw him.” She laughed at this, but the sound was tight and brittle. “And how could you have known?”

I touched my fingers to her arm. “Still, that sucks. I’m truly sorry if my boneheaded actions reminded you of being betrayed like that.”

She nodded, her eyes glittering. “Thanks. That’s a better apology than I got from either my ex-bestie or my ex-boyfriend.”

I shook my head. “What rotten people. You deserve better than them.”

Pippa swiped the back of her hand across her eyes and sniffed. “I told myself I was not going to let them affect my life anymore. I guess I’m still working on that.” Then she straightened her shoulders and smiled. “And I will get better than them since I’m going to get my very own Valorian!”

I returned her bright smile, hoping that Ruune wouldn’t be too upset with me for promising one of his kinsmen to Pippa. Before I could regret my impulsive decision too much, Pippa had turned and hurried back to the client.

As Pippa led the tiny dog and his owner toward the accessories department cooing about his best color palette, I made my way back to my desk. The aspirin I’d taken earlier was finally kicking in, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t counting down the hours until I could crawl home and swear off alcohol and impulsive decisions forever.

First, I’d promised to be Ruune’s fake girlfriend, and now I’d promised to find a Valorian for my colleague. I wanted to blame the booze, but I had no one to blame but myself. Maybe I needed to set some ground rules for myself.

“Like no talking when you drink.” I said under my breath. “Or when you’re hungover.”

Then it hit me. Ground rules. Ruune and I hadn’t set any ground rules for our fake dating. The last thing I wanted was more fallout from miscommunication.

I took out my phone and fired off a text to Caroline.

Can you tell Ruune I want to talk to him about some fake dating ground rules?

I didn’t wait for a reply. The lucky bitch was probably sleeping in since she didn’t have to work anymore. Then my phone buzzed, and I glanced down.

He’s on his way.

Wait, what? I hadn’t meant now.

Heavy footsteps thumping across the marble made me look up to see Ruune walking toward me looking impossibly hot and not at all hungover. My stomach did a flip that had nothing to do with the eggnog martinis.

Oh boy.