Unexpected Turn

No, no! Simply put, things are growing worse by the minute. Can't I take a five-minute break? My eyes opened when my mother extended a pale hand to greet Ethan and introduced herself with a smile that was all too lovely.

Ethan shook her hand, a sexy half-smirk forming on his lips, and dropped his mouth to kiss the slightly wrinkled skin on her hand. My mom's face turned bright crimson, and she rolled her eyes like a teenager.

"Ethan Ricci. neighbor of Sophia, "He responded, his voice dripping with that alluring charm, "Crap, crap, crap!" What shall I do?

My mother gasped in shock as I handed Ethan the keycard as I rushed forward and pretended to smile. She was standing in the spot where it seemed like I should be holding his hand, but I was actually secretly shoving my fingers into his palm and yelling at him to leave.

“So this is him, then?” Stacy questioned in amazement and disbelief, her one thin brow arched.

"He is extremely attractive. He's just how I envisioned him to be,” My mother continued with a further sparkling grin.

"Mom. Ethan is..." When I saw there was no man present, I started but stopped abruptly. My mother and sister are here waiting to see my "lover" but the craigslist thing was a complete failure.

Olivia had put a lot of trust in Craigslist to locate the perfect match for me, so I hadn't thought of a fallback in case the first strategy didn't work out. Maybe I could come up with an explanation, I reasoned. Perhaps tell them that the man I'm seeing was delayed by additional work, but knowing Stacy, I would be amazed if she told the truth.

I'm compelled to share my embarrassing secret and put up with the hurt of becoming the focus of rumors once more. Onlookers' judging stares, compassionate looks, and people who had the bravery to approach me and ask what went wrong.

I gulped as I looked up to see my replacement. Mother and Stacy are waiting for my response. Please, God, be with me as I say this.

With a shaky smile, I squeaked, "Ethan is my boyfriend.”

“I'm now your what?” Ethan murmured, glancing down at me and furrowing his dark brows in an expression of perplexity.

My mother's forehead wrinkled as she looked up at Ethan and then lowered her honeysuckle eyes to me as if to ask what was going on as I drove my nails into Ethan's flesh. While Stacy turned to her other foot, she was unable to hide the sneaky grin that was quietly beginning to appear.

I made an effort to conceal the dread that was shaking my fingers at the idea of the whole situation blowing up in my face; it wouldn't be surprising given the entire situation was preposterous to begin with, but my pride was at stake.

"Oh, it's okay, baby," I stifled a smile. I chuckled lightly as I said, "I informed them about us.

"Us?” Ethan laughed at the two-letter statement as if it were a joke.

I chuckled softly, knowing my mother would see my trembling hands if she saw them, and hid them beneath Ethan' body. I couldn't really blame Stacy; she had a bottle of wine in her arms and seemed to be studying Ethan from every angle, which is probably what she was doing. I glanced down to see Stacy as I mentally racked my head for a diversion. Ethan and I looked completely different when we were side by side; he emanated a seductive appeal and a laid-back vibe, whilst I emitted the boring, strict principles I had been raised with.

I moved aside, retaining my hand in Ethan's larger one, and said, "Oh... please come in." I gestured for them to have a seat as I opened the wine and snatched the bottle away from Stacy.

"Please join me in the kitchen, Babe. I need your help for a bit," Ispoke while abhorring the word I was forced to utter.

“Umm…”

My mother oohed and aahed over the pricey jade sculptures on the mahogany table that I knew she would enjoy when I bought them, which was reason enough for me to plunk down my credit card. I slammed the front door without waiting for a response and led a still bewildered Ethan into the kitchen. My mother's voice resonating from the other room about the apartment, Stacy's whining, and a wall separating us from each other kept us safely hidden in the kitchen.

I placed the bottle of wine on the counter and turned to face Ethan, trying to come up with a mature, polite remark that wouldn't freak him out or give the impression that I was in a desperate situation. But it doesn't matter that I was lying to him. I held my hands out in a formal way and sat up straight, since that is ultimately what this is.

I understand why this would have shocked you, given it was essentially pressed upon you without warning, but I need you to, um,

He finished my sentence for me, smirked evilly, "To be your boyfriend."

“Yes,” I acknowledged, "If there was another way, I wouldn't be asking this of you, but given the circumstances, I'm afraid that I'm at a loss for what to do."

The slight movement caused his muscles to tense up, and what a sight it was as he pushed one large tan palm through his messy hair, causing his short T-shirt to define the taut muscles that were now on display. I forced the thought from my mind and turned to face him once more.

He just answered, "Sorry Kitten, but I can't." Although I was upset, what did I really expect to happen? He jumped to the idea right away. Since I was aware that it was implausible, I mentally snorted at the notion. Why would someone like Ethan agree to work with someone like me on such a foolish scheme?

I murmured, moving closer to make sure no one heard us, "I'll pay you."

He responded, raising an eyebrow, "What am I, a prostitute?"

“Please! Right now, I'm at a loss for words, but I did promise my mother that she would meet my quote on quote boyfriend tonight.” I fought hard to gather myself and shook my head.

His giggle and the softening of his features were a good sign, in my opinion.

“The point is, Ethan, I really need you to take care of this for me,” I continued.

He shook his head as my mother asked for us to leave so she could “to know my boyfriend."

“Sorry, Kitten, but I'm not going to do this,” he stated twice, shaking his head. I offered him money twice but he refused both times.

Is it true that no matter how badly I pleading, no man will accept to go out with me? I swallowed the large knot that had formed in my throat and forced the terrible rejection away, refusing to deal with it in front of Ethan. I mimicked his motion by extending my arms and grabbed his forearms as he took a step to the side as if to leave.

I didn't care how desperate I sounded, "I realize this is odd especially for you and that you probably have more important things to accomplish, but I truly need your help." I said desperately.

“Lea, look…” To stop him from rejecting me a third time, I cut him off by pressing my fingers firmly into his skin.

I've endured more rejections than I can count. I dreaded having to confess everything and deal with the shame that came with doing so about my poorly thought-out lie, so I hesitantly raised my eyes to meet his. Once more, I would get teasing from my family for being the girl who never seems to find a man.

“Ethan, I'll do anything you ask of me,” I pleaded, swallowing my pride. His muscles tensed up under my fingertips, and I lowered my head in shame. I finally gave in and asked my neighbor, a man-whore, to act as my lover after being matched with an elderly man. How could I sink this low? My 20s, a time of friends, festivities, and even a few disastrous one-night encounters, were supposed to be the happiest years of my life, but instead I'm in this predicament right now.

When I realized he hadn't responded, I removed my hands from his arms. I took a step back and turned my back on him, shocked at what I had done. I didn't want to look into his eyes.

I leaned over and pressed my palms against the kitchen counter to stand up. A McAdams never requests anything, no matter the situation. There is no justification for crying over spilled milk.

“I apologize, that was inappropriate of me, and you are free to leave at this time,” I added in a cool, collected tone. I sighed and stiffened at the sound of footsteps coming from behind me.

He's just about to go.

When I took a deep breath and watched his shadow moving in front of mine, I didn't like how closely the footfall had stopped behind me.

I heard him groan, "What should I do?”