Chapter One.
"Jess Bear!" I heard a loud scream and I groaned. I turned around and glared at my best friend, Henry. He thought that he could come in whenever he wanted in my café.
"Yes Henry?" I asked sarcastically, knowing he was probably on a break and had come to annoy me. I didn't want to be rude, he was my best friend, but sometimes he got annoying.
"I'm making my special lasagna today," he grinned, but I saw something in his eyes. I really couldn't put a name to it.
"What's the occasion?" I asked, putting away my files. Henry looked away uncomfortably. He was probably the most easy going guy I have come across. There was something about Henry that drew one in almost instantly. It was impossible to not like him. And he was gorgeous, boy was he gorgeous. With his half Spanish and half French lineage, he definitely got all the looks.
His hair was dirty brown, his face perfectly chiselled. He was undoubtedly handsome, and I was sure I would tap that ass if he did swing that way. Henry was closet gay. No matter how many times I told him that it didn't matter, his sexuality wasn't a big deal, he refused to believe me.
"Uh..." Henry's voice brought me out of my musings. I gave him a puzzled look. "I have to ask you something."
"And why can't you do it now?" I asked, frowning. He was never this awkward unless he had some big favor to ask of me.
"Because I'm hoping that you'll be happy and drunk enough to say yes," he said sheepishly.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Henry Perez, what the hell are you up to?"
He stood up, "Bye Jess! See you at dinner!" Without waiting for me to reply, he was out the door. I stared at the closing door, wondering what he had in mind this time. The last time he had done something like that, I ended up on a stripper pole. And that was a story I would happily pay to forget.
The phone rang and I answered, using the most professional tobe I could manage. "Kings Café."
"Jessica!" Mom greeted me and I grinned. "How are you? I couldn't get through your cell, so I had to call your office. Are you busy?"
"Hey mom," I replied. "I wasn't busy, just talking to Henry. What's up?"
"I just called to inform you that you should expect a visit soon." Mom said and I frowned.
Realizing that she couldn't see me I asked, "A visit from whom?"
"From Mr. Harrington." she said and I felt annoyance surface within me. I heard some shuffling in the background, and then a loud curse. "Oh my, your father has managed to nail his finger again, I will calm you later. Take care darling!"
"Bye mom," I said as she hung up. I put the phone back in its place and resisted the urge to hit my head on the table. I had enough problems in my life and Mr. Harrington just happened to be the one adding to all the problems. He was convinced that he could solve all my issues with his magical, Midas touch and I hated him for that.
"Ms. King?" the manager of my café, Nela poked her head in. "We have a customer wanting to meet you."
I raised my eyebrows. "Why?"
"He said that he would rather discuss it with you." she said and I groaned. I stood up and made my way out, smoothing my pencil skirt. I went out only to see Mr. Harrison standing right in the centre of the café with a grin on his face.
"What do you want?" I asked, not caring if I came across rude.
"That's no way to talk to your ol--" he started and before he could continue the sentence I glared at him, making him shut up.
"Look, if you want to way something, your most welcome, but I am busy right now, so excuse me." With that I walked away, leaving him frowning behind me.
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I turned around and looked in the mirror, wondering if my butt looked too big in the dress. I was all dressed up for Henry's dinner, because he was the one guy who would invite whoever for dinner and it was not normally a happy scene when I walked into his house wearing my robe and fluffy slippers. Henry lived in the same building as me, a few floors above me.
I wore a navy blue dress with a sweetheart neckline, which stopped some inches above my knee. I put on my wedges and took only my phone. As soon as I reached Henry's apartment, I was surprised to see the door already open.
"Henry?" I called out, cautiously stepping in, looking around for any wannabe murders or thieves.
"I'm getting dressed Jess!" he yelled. "Help yourself to wine. Or whatever you prefer."
I took off my shoes, knowing now that it was going to be just the two of us. I walked to his liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of whisky. I usually didn't drink strong liquor, but the stuff that he had in his house was limited. I poured some whisky for myself , just as Henry came in, wearing only a pair of shorts.
The sight of him in only shorts would make any warm blooded female drool, but I was way beyond that stage. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"You couldn't have told me to not dress up?" I snapped and he chuckled, pouring a glass of whisky for himself.
"But its so much fun to see you dressed up! Maybe we can hit the clubs later," he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows.
"No thank you," I declined, "What was that you wanted to tell me?"
He put his glass down. "Lets have dinner!"
I narrowed my eyes at his suspicious behavior, but followed him to the dining room. This must be something big for him to act that way. He was usually forthcoming.
Halfway through dinner I couldn't take it anymore. I glared at him.
"Henry Perez," I glowered, "You better tell me this instant what's going on, or I swear --"
"Whoa," he said putting his hands up. "Just promise not to get mad."
I raised an eyebrow.
"My parents want me go to their house." he said.
"And?" I drawled out, not sure why this was a big deal.
"I told my mom that I had a girlfriend, and she said that I had to bring her along. I cant even make up an excuse now because its too late and my brother also confirmed, so I have to be there." he said so fast that I had to strain my ears to catch the words.
"Girlfriend?" I gasped. "Who are you going to take?"
"That's where my awesome beat friend comes in," he said with a hopeful smile and I understood.
"No."
"Please Jess," my best friend, Henry pleaded with me. I shook my head. I couldn't do it, I wouldn't.
Henry wanted me to spend two weeks with his family pretending to be his girlfriend.
"No!" I almost yelled, my voice faltering when he pulled a sad face at me. Oh my. I would fall for it. That was the first thing that caught me in, five years ago at uni.
"Please Jess," he pleaded again. "Just two weeks, I promise. Just think of it as one of the awesome vacations we both wanted to go for."
"That didn't include me posing as my best, gay friend's girl." I snapped, but inside I felt my determination go away.
"Jessica..." he drawled and I glared at him.
"Two weeks. That's all." I said and he grinned before pulling me into an all encompassing hug. I stood still for some time, before finally hugging him back. I would do this for him. After all, that's what best friends are for.
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