Chapter 6

Several pockets of crowds were starting to break up as people began to find their seats. Stephan and I did the same thing. Aaron also joined us a few minutes later with his date who was wearing a similar dress to my earlier knee-length option.

"This is–what’s your name again?” Aaron asked the tall, skinny, model like Burnett next to him. 

“Did he hire a prostitute for this event?” Stephen whispered into my ears. 

“Shh!”

“Marley.” She meekly said. 

“Sorry, yes! Marley. She is my new assistant. Just started. Join me at the wedding as we are deploying a new project and may need her assistance.” 

We all exchanged hellos and conversed in between the awkward silences that usually occur when strangers are forced to hang out. Stephan took one of those opportunities to quietly comment, "Too late, it looks like he likes brunettes."

I twirl my curly, blond hair in between my fingers.”I can always dye it!” I couldn't help but give a slight giggle at this comment and Stephan's investment in my love life. "Eh, too much hassle. I guess I'll just have to settle for my fake boyfriend for the time being."

"I am gonna go get us a drink," Marley said.

"Same, do you want anything?" Stephan asked me.

"Wine's good!"

Both Stephan and Marley made their way towards the bar leaving just Aaron, me, and a couple of Whitney's friends who were not interested in talking to anyone and were busy taking as many selfies of each other as possible. You know, just in case those airheads forget what they looked like. 

"You two are always whispering and giggling," Aaron said.

"I am not much of a giggler but I agree Stephan is always laughing!" I agreed.

"No, it's good. New romance always looks like that. You two seem happy!" Aaron smiled.

"Thanks," I said. A part of me was happy that we were able to fool strangers and my mother, a part of me, however, was afraid of what my life would look like after the truth was revealed.

Stephan and Marley came back with the drinks catching us in the middle of a conversation about my consulting hours and what services I provided.

"You're very young to start your own business," Aaron said.

"I was working a full-time job three months ago and doing my consulting on the side. Eventually, the client list grew, and so did the money. So I decided to break off. I mainly deal with start-ups and mid-level companies." I clarified.

"Always work-talk with this one!" Stephen interjected. “How about we talk about something more fun.”

“How did you two meet?” Marley suggested. 

Both Stephan and I giggled no doubt thinking back to our previous conversation on this topic.

"Nothing exciting, we met at a bar, talked, and exchanged numbers." I fibbed.

"What attracted you to her?" Marley persisted.

"Would it be too cheesy to say her eyes?" Stephan expertly diverted.

"Not at all!" Marley squealed! "Most men would say my butt if asked, believe me, I prefer eyes! It's more romantic"

"I don't know, eyes only have like four colors, whereas butts can be different shapes, sizes, have a different feel and purpose. Lots of different variables there." I joked.

"Oh don't worry, I came for the eyes, stayed for the butt," Stephan said, causing a volcano of laughter at the table, minus the selfie club of course, who had now started posing with the centerpieces.

"So I guess I should be thankful." Marley finally said after calming down.

"Oh yeah, I lied when I said her eyes, it was actually her humor and attitude. When I first met her I was a nervous wreck, and she was able to joke and calm me down. I've never felt so comfortable in my life, but that sounds more cheesy, doesn't it?" Stephan said not looking at Marley but me as he spoke, and I knew he was talking about our actual first meeting.

"Call me anytime you need to get on a plane, I gotcha!" I said.

"Plane, I thought you met at the bar?" Aaron interjected.

"I meant bar. I was just thinking about our plane ride here, he was also a nervous wreck then" I quickly said.

Thankfully the table bought the lie.

"Looks like lunch is starting," Stephan commented.

We all lined up at the buffet line continuing our respective conversations, Stephan and I were somehow back on serial killers and dexter. Aaron and Marley were discussing a client meeting that was coming up.

When we returned to the table, we merged our conversations and began discussing early signs of a serial killer, this is when we were interrupted by the happy couple.

"I see you all made new friends," Robbie said, as he hovered over Stephan's chair. "Hope you are enjoying the food. It's catered from this really expensive place. They took over $100 per plate."

"I guess that's why you decided to keep this event intimate." Stephan snarkily asserted.

Robbie either did not understand the intent behind Stephan's remark or chose to ignore it. "I just wanted to officially introduce my fiance to you all, this is my Whitney."

Marley gave a friendly smile and a quick handshake to Whitney. Stephan also stuck out his hand. I guess he wanted to be touched by the love of his life. Whitney took it, not meeting his eyes, but they both held on a few seconds too long. My heart beated in an unfamiliar rhythm for those few seconds for some reason. 

"We also wanted to extend an invitation for tonight. Whitney's Uncle Gary is having a barbecue and wanted us to invite all our closest friends. I know this was an odd time for a rehearsal 'dinner' but this was the only time they had for us and this hall was too beautiful to pass up." Robbie explained creating air quotes with his hands when he said dinner.

"Aaron and I are actually going to turn in early today, we have a Facetime with a potential client, but I am sure these two would enjoy a barbecue," Marley said pointing to us.

At this, I caught Whitney's expression. She looked like someone had just slapped the happiness off her perfect face.

"Sure, we'll be there," I agreed.

"Great!" Whitney said then she gave us a tight-lipped smile and she and Robbie moved on to the next table.

"Tonight will be a great time to tell her! It will be a small intimate get-together it seems, it will be easier to get her alone." Stephan softly voiced.

"You said you would wait till the wedding day. That was our deal!" I countered.

"I know, but it will get messy tomorrow. Plus more of a chance for her to say no to me when we are in a church for her wedding. I am sorry, but I think today is the best chance I have."

"You know how embarrassing it would be for me if my whole family found out I bought a fake boyfriend to the wedding." I was trying to hold back the anger in my voice. How could he be so thoughtless?

"I'll ask her not to say anything. I'll tell her you didn't know. That I used you to get to her!" He desperately said.

"How is that better? Then I just look like an idiot." I explained.

"Better an idiot than someone desperately trying to make her cousin jealous. She was going to find out sooner or later anyway. The end of our deal was for me to tell her how I feel, why does it matter when I do it?" He argued.

He had a point. I knew he did, but I suppose I was hoping he would change his mind. See how horrible she really was! Just by looking at this wedding, you could tell she was a fake person. The glitz and the glamor from someone who’d claimed all her life that she wanted a small wedding. At this moment I had nothing to say to him. So I turned away and stabbed my food, pretending to eat.

This jig was going to be up faster than I had calculated. Sure, I was afraid to be found out, and possibly humiliated in front of my family, scared that my mother would be embarrassed as well, but I was also enjoying having Stephan around. For the past two days, I have talked, joked, and been confused with and by him. We found out that although we did not have much in common, we were almost always able to find a middle ground. In these short two days, I had gotten used to his company and that was coming to an end soon