FAKE DATE MY EX’S TEAMMATE

Chapter Four

Maya’s POV 

“A what?”

“It is actually a great idea,” Tara beams, hitting her palms together. “We will pair you with Jax. Make him look committed. Settled. What do you think? I can already imagine what people will say. The girlfriend with a clean reputation who tames the bad boy.”

A scoff comes from Finn, and for a slight second, I actually think he is going to say something. For someone who has a larger problem in front of her, I sure am focusing on the wrong thing.

Heat rushes to my face as I scoot to the edge of my seat. “I can’t… I don’t think…”

“It’s brilliant,” Elliot mutters, cutting me off. His gaze sweeps over me, already deciding. “She is pretty enough to be an arm candy for Jax, and it works in our favour that she isn’t famous. Let’s do it.”

I look at Jax with my panic in my eyes. Why isn’t he saying anything? As if on cue, he perks up, his grin slowly widening. “Wait a minute. I get to fake date the new PR girl? Interesting. Suddenly, I am a huge fan of this plan.”

He leans in his seat and sends a wink my way. 

Oh no!

Celeste chuckles, her hair bobbing with every moment. I, on the other hand, just sit frozen, confused at what is going on. Didn’t I resume only a few hours ago? How has so much happened in such little time?

“This isn’t what I was hired for. Shouldn’t I have a say in this?” I murmur, my tongue finally deciding to work. My voice comes out calmer than I feel inside. “I came here as a PR specialist, not….”

“You will be doing your job,” Tara mutters, her stoic expression directed my way. “We need Jax’s reputation smoothed out, and that is exactly what you will be doing as his fake girlfriend. You will just be going a little out of the script, but then again, don’t we all?”

“Tara…”

“Your professionalism is exactly what we need. It is like Celeste and Finn here. Celeste is a member of the board, and Finn is a player. The only difference is that theirs is real and yours isn’t. The story will spread, and we will control the narrative.”

“As long as you keep your legs closed and your panties to yourself,” Celeste adds, having the most fun from this. “We all know Jax can be a little….erm, what’s the world? Hot. But don’t fall for his charms, please.”

“And don’t argue,” Elliot adds, sealing the conversation. I see where Celeste takes her attitude from. 

Across the table, I meet Finn staring at me. He hasn’t spoken since Elliot walked in, but he doesn’t need to. I can tell all that he feels from how his jaw is tight and how his hands are clenched on the table. He locks eyes with me, glaring like I just committed a crime in front of him.

Pulling my gaze away from him, I turn back to the room. “I…I don’t think this is appropriate.”

“It’s not a request, Miss Cole,” Elliot snaps. “The only alternative you have is to walk out of this building without a job. Is that a choice you are willing to take?”

My lips part and slam shut in quick succession. My son’s green eyes come into my vision. I cannot let him down. I am all he has. 

“I thought so too,” Elliot continues. “Jax, take her under your wing and make it look real. There are going to be conferences, public appearances, parties, name it….And for God’s sake, Jax, don’t screw it up.”

I don’t think Jax’s grin can get even wider, but it does, lazily on his face. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I always make it look real. How do you think all of those ladies got their hearts broken?”

Oh God! This is a bad idea. 

Finn’s chair scrapes the floor suddenly as he stands, and the scratching sound travels through the office. Everyone pauses, eyes darting in his direction. Even Celeste has a small frown on her face as she watches him adjust his cufflinks. 

He seems to take his time organizing his thoughts. He looks up, his resolve etched in his eyes. “This is a mistake, trust me. You don’t want to make Jax do something like this, with his reputation.”

Elliot sighs. “You are not running this agency, Callahan. Sit down.”

Finn looks at the man who is to become his father-in-law. He doesn’t do as he has just been told. At least, not immediately. Instead, his eyes stray to mine, and then, back to Elliot. 

“It is going to backfire. And when it happens, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He turns around and strides out of the office. Celeste looks from his retreating figure to her father, slowly getting on her feet. “You all can go ahead. I’ll get him to come around.”

“Do you know why he is suddenly interested in this?” Elliot asks Tara, with genuine bewilderment written on his face. “Finn is usually carefree, as long as he gets what he wants.”

Tara shrugs, but her gaze finds mine. “I wonder what has gotten him in that mood. And for the love of God, I hope it has nothing to do with you, Maya.”

This is the right time to talk. But Jax shakes his head slowly, and my lips get sealed shut.

The meeting is adjourned after Elliot barks out more orders that I barely hear. My mind is still roaming the place with my new reality that has yet to sink in. 

When I finally stumble into the hallway, I barely have time to think about what just happened when a shadow falls over me. 

Jax Mercer.

He falls into step with me, placing one hand around my neck. It makes me stop. Makes my thoughts freeze. That annoying grin is still on his face and I wish I could wipe it off.

“So, PR Girl,” he murmurs, his eyes sliding down to my lips and then back up with an intentional slowness. “When do we start pretending we’re madly in love?”