Chapter 4

Iglance up from the grooming table, where I"ve just finished snipping the last of the fur off Mrs. Thompson"s poodle, to see a tall, bulky looking man that's just passed the front window, and I glance at the clock and notice it's time for my meeting.

"Ziggy, I'll be back in ten!" I yell to him as I wash my hands and throw off my apron to race outside. As soon as I step out and turn in the direction of the guy, I"m frozen in place. There, waiting a little way down the sidewalk, is a man I never thought I"d see again.

I blink as I walk closer to him, taking in his dark hair and piercing green-gray eyes. It"s really him—Weston, the man I spent one unforgettable night with about five months ago after breaking up with my asshole boyfriend. And now, here he is, assigned as my Holidates for the upcoming trip to visit my parents.

My heart skips a beat, and heat floods my cheeks as I step out onto the sidewalk, feeling exposed under his gaze. Does he recognize me? Does he remember that night? We hadn"t exchanged more than breathy moans and whispered encouragement in the hotel room, so there"s no way I could have known what he did for a living. Is this it? Is he a professional date?

"Hey, Holidates," I manage to say, trying to sound casual as we exchange greetings. "I guess we"ll be spending some time together, huh?"

"Looks like it," he replies with a grin, but there"s a glint in his eyes that makes me wonder if he recognizes me from that unforgettable night.

"Okay, so I know this is going to seem strange, but..." My voice trails off as I consider if I should address our past encounter. Do I want to dredge up that single lustful night, or keep things strictly professional?

"Strange?" Weston prompts, raising an eyebrow.

"Never mind," I decide, shaking my head. "Let"s just focus on making my parents think we"re the perfect couple, okay?"

"Sure thing," he agrees, all charm and charisma. Yet there's a twinge of disappointment; maybe he really doesn"t remember me after all.

Taking a deep breath, I push aside any lingering thoughts about our previous encounter and focus on the task at hand. "So, my parents," I say, trying to keep calm. "They have certain expectations and are pretty concerned about me living in Ann Arbor, even though it"s just a few hours away from them. By renting you as my date, I hope to create the illusion of a stable relationship, showing them that I"m doing well on my own."

Weston nods, taking my words seriously. "I understand. My job is to make sure your parents see us as a happy and committed couple, so they can feel at ease about you living here." His eyes search mine, as if seeking further explanation or hidden meaning.

"Exactly," I confirm, relieved that he seems on board with the plan. "Just pretend we"re madly in love and everything should be fine." What would it be like if we were really together, if our one-night stand had turned into something more? But that"s not reality, and I need to keep my mind focused on the present.

"Consider it done," Weston says confidently, extending his hand for me to shake. "Looking forward to our time together."

"Me too," I reply, shaking his hand firmly. His touch brings back memories of that night, but I shove them down, determined to make this work.

This arrangement has to go well. I can"t have my parents worrying about me constantly or trying to force me to move back home. With Weston by my side, I pray that they"ll finally see that I"m capable of standing on my own two feet.

I watch Weston"s face closely as I explain the situation, his brows furrowing while his eyes flicker with curiosity. It seems like he"s trying to process everything I"ve just told him. Does he truly understand how much this means to me?

"Alright," he finally says, nodding slowly. "I"ll do my best to be the perfect boyfriend for your parents. But just so we"re clear, you want me to act like we"re in love, right?"

"Exactly," I confirm, feeling a bit more at ease now that he seems to be on board with the plan. As tempting as it is to tell him about the announcement I have planned during the visit, I decide to keep that information to myself for now. No need to add extra pressure on him, or myself.

"Got it. I"ll make sure they believe every second of it," Weston assures me, flashing me a charming grin that makes butterflies rumble in the pit of my stomach. "Don"t worry, Presley," he says with a wink, and I smile. Oh yeah, I know for a fact now that he knows who I am. "We got this."

"Thanks, Weston," I reply, smiling despite the lingering anxiety in my chest. "I appreciate it."

"Anytime. Here, let me give you my phone number so you can send me your address. You let me know what time you want to leave, and I'll pick you up next Friday," he says, leaning close to me and placing a sweet kiss on my cheek before turning around and walking away.

As I watch him leave, I take a seat on a nearby bench, trying to collect my thoughts before heading back to work. My mind drifts back to the conversation I have with my parents every time they call me. They clearly express their concerns about me living so far away from them and being on my own.

I try to reassure them, even though I know that it's not entirely true. There are times when I feel unbearably lonely, longing for the close-knit community I"d left behind. But I can"t let them see that; it would only fuel their concern and make them more determined to interfere in my life.

As I sit on the bench now, replaying that conversation in my head, I hope that hiring Weston as my date will prove to my parents that I can handle being on my own, even if it means lying to them about something as important as love.

"Please let this work," I whisper under my breath as I close my eyes, offering up a silent prayer. The thought of my parents moving to Ann Arbor and forcing their way into my life is almost too much to bear. My small house would barely fit the three of us, and I know it would only amplify the tension we have. They need to see that I"m capable of being on my own, living my life the way I want.

I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp winter air, and try to shake off my lingering doubts. Weston may be part of my past, but he could also be the key to maintaining my independence. If we can pull off this charade, maybe my parents will finally believe in me and give me the space I need.

"Time to get back to work," I say to myself, steeling my resolve and standing up from the bench. As I walk back to my grooming shop, I mentally rehearse my lines and prepare for the upcoming performance. With every step, I remind myself that the stakes are high, not just because of my parents" expectations, but also because of the announcement I have yet to make.

It"s ironic, really. In a way, hiring a fake boyfriend has made my desire for a real one even more apparent. But for now, I have no choice but to play the part, hoping that the temporary deception will lead to a brighter, more independent future.

"Fake it till you make it, Presley," I mutter to myself as I push open the door to my shop, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead. "You"ve got this."