Chapter 7

The next morning I went to met Knox by myself. I didn't want to tell Leah in case it didn't work out. Plus I wasn't so sure how happy she'd be if I woke her up early again today for this. Sunday's were her sleeping in days. I've learned years ago to never bother Leah when she's sleeping.

So despite the freezing temperatures outside I trekked from my apartment to The Busy Bean yet again. I was a regular here since it was so close to my place but this past week I've been here way too much. I think the waitress's were starting to wonder what I was really doing there; especially with different guys each time.

Having gotten no sleep last night I was in desperate need of some coffee. For some reason I couldn't get my mind to shut off. I thought about work and the huge promotion which just stressed me out. Then I thought about today and Knox which made my stress levels go even higher. It was literally just one thing after another last night.

Walking through the door of the cafe I gazed around the room to see if Knox was somehow here first, even though we weren't suppose to meet up for another ten minutes. But to my surprise I found him sitting in a booth near the back window.

Today he had a black beanie on and even from here it made him even more handsome. The dude was too attractive for his own good.

Not sure if he'd seen me yet I quickly went and ordered a coffee before weaving in-between tables to get to him. As I headed for the table I noticed almost all the women in the place were trying to secretly check him out and of course he seemed oblivious; looking down at his phone the entire time. I couldn't help but smirk.

"Hi." I spoke as plopped myself in the chair across from him. Knox merely glanced up at me before looking back at his phone. Okayyy. "You're here early." He just made a 'hm' noise.

I hated silence. Ever since I was a kid I couldn't handle silence at the dinner table or if I was alone with someone. So I always had to be speaking or it made it awkward. As the silence enveloped around us I found my hands fidgeting in my lap.

Speak damn it! I silently urged Knox but he continued on sitting there typing away at his phone. When the waitress placed my coffee down and he didn't even glance up I narrowed my eyes. I wasn't going to just sit here in silence until he finally said something.

"Are you going to tell me what changed your mind?" I finally asked after a few more minutes of silence. When he still didn't answer I felt my anger starting to build. "Look its clear you don't want to be here and talk to me. So if you don't want anything to do with this then I'm going to go home."

I wasn't going to sit here in awkward, tense silence when I could be home in my PJ's where its warm. Right as I was about to get up and walk out Knox put his phone down and looked at me.

"Why did you put an ad out for a fake boyfriend?" He instantly asked, not beating around the bush. "Why couldn't you just ask some random guy on a date and take him home?"

"You clearly don't know how many weirdos there are here."

"I'm pretty sure its the same thing as putting an ad up and meeting them here."

"I mean-"

"And why do you need to bring someone home anyways? Its not a law saying you have to bring someone home for the holidays." Knox leaned back against the booth, crossing his arms over his wide chest and staring at me. Those green eyes were so unnerving as they stayed focused on my face.

"I..." I shook my head not letting him get to me. "I have my reasons on why I am doing this." I crossed my own arms trying to look just as intimidating as he was being.

"Yeah that isn't a good enough reason for me." Annoyed that he was probably wasting my time I placed my hands on the table and leaned forward.

"Look, I am not some psychotic, stalker, murderer. I got mostly straight A's in high school, then got a full ride to University of Vermont where I earned my Masters in computer science, communications, and in business. I have a great job where I will hopefully be promoted in the new year. And I own my own apartment, okay. I am not some free-loader freak who is going to do something to you.

All I need is someone to take home to my family in Rutland where we will pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend until Christmas over. Then you are free to go your own way. We won't have to see each other again." I rattled off, slightly out of breath from all my talking.

The entire time I spoke Knox just sat there, his expression never once wavering. He finally tilted his head to the side.

"Are you going to be this annoying the entire time?"

I snapped my jaw shut, my anger flaring once more. The nerve of this man! There is no way in hell am I going to be able to spend days with this guy. I doubt his big head could even fit into my car!

"You little-" Knox interrupted me instantly.

"I'll do it under one condition."

"You can't...wait what?" It took a second for his reply to register.

"I'll go along with this idiotic plan of yours if...my little sister can come along."

It took a full minute for his words to really sink in. As I tried to get my brain to finally function Knox sat there patiently waiting for my reply. He seemed almost frozen in the same position, kind of like he was use to being in one position for hours on end.

"I uh...yeah that's fine." I finally got out. I was pretty sure my mom would love another girl in the house and someone to spoil. That shouldn't be an issue at all. "So, your okay with all of this?" Why are you questioning him? He just agreed to it!

"I just said yes didn't I?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you agreeing? Yesterday you were hell bent on saying no and getting rid of me." In less than 24 hours he changed his tune so I was now very curious on what made him change his mind.

"I have my reasons." He shot my words back at me. I watched as slow smirk began to form on his face. Oh he definitely knew he was getting to me. And by the looks of it he was enjoying it.

I had a feeling this was going to be the longest week of my life.

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