Blurred Lines

Chapter 10

I opened my eyes in time to see Christian's expression change from startled to puzzled,then he surprised me by bursting out in laughter.

Way to go Ava.

"Oh my God" he gasped out trying in vain to catch his breath "I don't know if you did that on purpose or not but damn if it isn't funny" he said now chuckling

I glared at him "I didn't do it on purpose but I'm glad you find it funny"

I stalked out of the car stewing on the sidewalk with my arms folded and he soon came to join me

He smiled at me "you're awfully cute when you're mad"

Now he'd done it. The human male equivalent of peeing on the carpet.

I lost hold of my already fragile control and faced him "what did you say?"

He smiled wider "you're cute when you're mad"

I took a deep controlling breath. He's baiting me,trying to get me to loose my temper. It won't work. I won't let it.

I smiled at him with false sweetness "you're not being cute right now,why don't you go away and try again later?"

Then I snapped my fingers like an idea just occurred to me "better still,why don't you just leave me alone?"

"It would be ungentlemanly of me to desert you in a strange town" he said with a cheeky grin

I glanced around the sidewalk then,noting my surroundings for the first time.

We were parked in front of a cafe with a huge signboard that says 'The Girdle'.

That's it?,just the girdle?.

I hated asking him cause I was still mad at him but I had to unless I wanted to remain clueless.

"Where are we?"

"Saint Monica babe"

"Right" I replied nodding when what he said rang a bell "wait. saint monica!" I grabbed hold of his jacket "isn't that like 3 hours drive away from Taylor's groove?" I gave him a little shake "take me back home immediately"

He released my hands from his jacket and grabbed hold of my shoulders

"Relax" he said his eyes searching mine "I only brought you here because we needed somewhere to talk about last night,. If we went somewhere in Taylor's Groove we wouldn't have left before the rumours started"

He relaxed his grip on my shoulder "I won't bite...yet" he said with a grin earning an eye roll from me.

"Fine,let's talk"

"Great. Welcome to The Girdle babe" he said opening the door to the cafe for me.

I could get used to this.

Having someone opening doors for me and generally being attentive.

It's not a wonder I almost gave him my first kiss.

I winced.

Down girl!,last night was just pretend,at least now we can talk.

Once we were seated and the waiter took our orders he started "first of thank you for backing me last night,I know you must have been shocked"

"I was" I interrupted

He nodded acknowledging me "and you could have called me out on my lie,you had every right to but you didn't,so thank you"

"You're welcome"

He glanced away and then back "look,before I get too specific I just want to know you'll keep an open mind about everything okay?"

"Yeah well,before I can keep an open mind I need to know what I'm supposed to be keeping an open mind about"

He glanced up and I realized the waiter was back with our orders

"One iced tea for the lady" I gave him a grateful smile as he set it in front of me "and black coffee for the gentleman"

I picked up my drink and took a sip looking over the rim at Christian to see him do the same.

"So..." I pressed putting my cup down

"I had an idea,I thought since Zoe already thinks we're dating,you could keep..." He trailed off fumbling

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"It's like this. I want you to help me get my mom off my back"

"What do you mean?"

"Look,I know I said we only have to pretend until Chloe leaves town..."

"And she's leaving this weekend" I interrupted starting to get his drift

Kinda.

"Yeah,but my mom's being on my back since last year about finding a good girl and settling down.

"She's having a birthday bash next month and she's invited a bunch of ambitious women" he winced "for me to take my pick"

"Okay..." I said trying to understand where I come in even though I kinda already know

"So I need you to be my date"

"You think if you bring a date your mom will stop trying to fix you up?"

"Well yeah. For a while at least. If my date was...more than a date"

"What do you mean more than a date?"

"I want you to continue pretending to be my girlfriend for a month"

"Have you lost your mind?" I shouted earning curious looks from other customers

He put up both hands "look,it just...slipped out when I was talking to her okay?.”

"It what??"

"She was all over me last night. Pressuring me,going down the list of all the women she wants me to meet and i panicked,all of a sudden I was saying I already had a girl. I said you were my girl and that we were really serious".

"What were you thinking?" I gritted out with clenched teeth.

"Nothing. That’s the problem,I wasn't thinking. Can you just think it over? Please?,don't say no without giving it some serious consideration. Zoe mentioned you want to go to London school of economics and political science,I know some people there and I can pull a few strings for you to get in"

It was tempting.

Really.

I've wanted to go to LSEPS for as long as I can remember,but I've started thinking of choosing another school as it was really hard to get admission internationally and the tuition fee is ridiculously expensive.

I folded my arms scowling "there's just one teensy problem"

"What?"

"It's a big freaking lie"

"I know that, but it can't be helped"

"Sure it can. Just call your mom back,tell her we broke up or better still tell her you lied and I'm not your girl. That when you want a girl you'll find her yourself".

"Ava,come on..." I kept scowling refusing to budge.

"Look," he said " you do this for me and I figure I'll have peace from my mom for up to a year"

"Why don't you just talk to her?,tell her how you really feel,tell her you want her to back off and mind her own business".

"You think I haven't?,it doesn't matter what I say,she thinks she's doing the right thing for me,and when my mother thinks what she's doing is for the good of one of her children there's no stopping her"

"But making up a lie is not a solution" I said getting exasperated "it's just wrong"

"Ava,I'm desperate here,I need a break from all this matchmaking nonsense,I need to be able to go home without having a bunch of sweet faced debutantes in their best clothes waiting for me,I want to be able to call my mom without her shoving her friends' daughters good traits down my throat"

"Maybe if you have one of them a chance,you'll find you..."

"Stop. Don't even go there. I'm not up for that. Hell I've barely lived my life,I'm just 23,I'm not ready to settle down" he said looking panicked.

"Well think of your mom's nagging as a small price to pay for your precious bachelorhood"

He gave me a really dirty look at that "you're starting to sound like Zoe. I don't need that."

"Christian,I only..."

"Help me Ava. Help me and I'll help you. We already pretended last night,what could a few more weeks hurt?. Plus you get into LSEPS,. Isn't that all you've ever wanted?. All you have to do is a little favour to a friend" he said with a smile.

Damn it!. I'm sinking fast and he knew it.

Damn it!.

Damn it all to hell.