Fake dating happened by accident, or rather opportunity. I’d spent the night studying in his flat, fell asleep with him in his bed, and we were found in the morning asleep together by his father.
It had changed everything about his relationship with his father and we had just got caught in this lie, but I considered it a very small price to pay for him to be happy.
I thought Ethan deserved so much more than this man who only loved him because he believed he was straight, but I would be here no matter what, for however long he needed me.
“Red is definitely her color, don’t you agree?” Kate asked, turning to Ethan.
I knew red suited me very well. I had inherited the raven hair and dark eyes from my Iranian mother and the pale skin of my Irish father, so red was always striking on me, but I wanted Ethan to like it.
I met his eyes in the mirror, seeking his approval. It was all for him, after all.
He nodded, coming closer and adjusting the one shoulder strap of the smooth silk crepe maxi dress.
“Versace?” he asked, letting his hands trail down to the diamond belt buckle that cinched at my waist.
“Yes! Ethan, you impress me.” She marveled at him and rested her hand on her chest.
I looked down, trying my best to hide my smile. Kate was adorable but truly clueless. She’d been flirting with Ethan every time she saw him, not realizing that it was a lost cause.
He shrugged, giving her a flirtatious grin, because my best friend could be an asshole, too.
“I know my fashion.” He rested his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them gently. “You look breathtaking.”
“I really like it,” I confirmed with a yawn.
He chuckled, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Someone really needs a nap.” He turned to Kate. “Do you have accessories to rent as well?”
“Ethan,” I started, but he waved his hand dismissively and I was too tired to argue. I needed a nap more than anything.
“What do you have in mind?” Kate asked.
“Do you have a white gold and ruby choker? Maybe the matching bracelet?”
“We do, it’s the Van Cleef there.” She pointed at a beautiful choker in a glass compartment. “It’s surrounded with diamonds. This one is £700 for the evening.”
I opened my mouth to tell him to drop it. It was insane to rent all this! The dress and the jewelry came to a total of £1100 just for one night.
“Ava, don’t. It’s more for me than you—trust me.” He extended his card to Kate. “We’ll take it.”
I sighed and nodded with resignation as he kept telling me how his mom was basically a bloodhound for fake designer things and that I had to play the part.
“Perfect, we’ll have everything delivered to your address between four and five pm. Does that work?”
I nodded. “Yes, sure, it’s plenty of time.” To be honest, I would have been happy to agree to anything if I knew it would allow me to go to bed.
I changed back into my jeans and T-shirt before exiting the store into the busy London streets.
“Want to grab a bite to eat?”
I shook my head. “No, you do you and I’ll speak to you later. I need a nap and I don’t want to fall asleep on the tube.”
Ethan snorted. “Yeah, not advisable.” He looked at his watch. “Pick you up at 7?”
“Yeah, see you then.” I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. “See you later, lover boy.”
He laughed. “See you later, crazy girl.”
I wasn’t sure how to make it back to my flat. My mind was foggy from my desire to sleep and when I got home, I was asleep before my head had even touched the pillow.