FAKE DATING MY EX'S TEAMMATE

Chapter Seven

Maya's POV

Ten steps. Twenty. Thirty.

I count each step as I walk into the agency, like the numbers can shield me from what's coming. By the time I reach forty, I know it's not working. I wanted to feel safe and let my guard down.

But eyes follow me down the hallway. A woman from the accounting department.Sarah? Sandra?watches me pass, her lips curled into a smirk. 

Two guys from the marketing department lean against the wall, whispering. One of them doesn't even try to hide his stare. Like I've commited the worst crime and they are about to throw me to the dogs.

I glance down at my pants. There’s no terrible stain. Nothing out of place.

So why do I feel like I'm walking naked through a firing squad?

The whispers start behind me. Soft at first, then louder. I can't make out the words,I wish i could. But I catch the tone. Judgment,Amusement,Speculation.

My face burns. I walk faster.

Don't react. Don't give them anything.

I'm about to turn the corner toward my desk when a voice cuts through the noise.

"My office. Now."

I stop abruptly.

Tara stands in her doorway, arms crossed, wearing that same expression she had on my first day. The one that says you're already on thin ice.

She doesn't wait for a response. Just turns and walks inside.

I follow, dragging my feet like a prisoner heading to execution.

This is it.This is the moment she fires me.

She probably thinks I've raised too much dust. Too much drama. Not what she signed up for.

"Sit."

Her voice is clipped. She points to the chair across from her desk.

I sink into it, smoothing the creases on my pants even though there's nothing to smooth. My fingers lace together in my lap. I brace for impact.

Tara reaches for the tablet on her desk. She taps the screen once, twice, then turns it toward me.

The photos fill the display.

Me and Jax at the rink. His arm around my waist. Both of us smiling for the cameras.

Next photo: Finn in the background, jaw tight, eyes dark.

My throat closes.

"What," Tara says slowly, "is this?"

"I…" My voice cracks. "Me and Jax, we were just…"

"Say no more."

She holds up a hand. A smile. An actual smile,spreads across her face.

"I didn't know you could perform this well. Though I had some hope in you." She taps the screen again, lingering on the photo of Jax and me. "This is perfect."

I blink. "What?"

"This is exactly what I wanted." She sets the tablet down and leans back in her chair. "Keep it up. Whatever you're doing, don't stop."

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

"But Finn…" The words finally break free. "I didn't mean to hurt him. This is already too much for him to handle. I don't know how far this will go or how bad it could…"

"Finn is engaged." Tara's voice sharpens. "To Celeste. They'll get married eventually, and that is none of your concern."

Her eyes pin me in place. She’s using her stern voice again.

"From now on, you'll be closer to Jax. Understood?"

She reaches for a folder on her desk and slides it across to me.

My hands shake as I take it.

"I had this put together when I realized you were getting somewhere," she says. "This is your schedule from now on. Mind you, this is part of your job."

I flip the folder open. Pages and pages of events. Dates and times and locations.

Charity gala - two weeks

Restaurant opening - three weeks

Hockey gala - one month

Each one marked with a note: Attend with Jax Mercer.

"These are all the public appearances you'll make with Jax," Tara continues. "Make every single one count."

She waves her hand,showing me it was time to get out of her office.

I open my mouth. Close it. No words come.I stand and leave.

The hallway feels longer on the way out. I stare at my phone screen, not really seeing it. Just needing something to look at. Something to keep my hands busy.

I'm so focused on the screen that I don't see that until I've walked into something.Actually someone sold.

"Jax, listen, I don't…"

The words die.It's not Jax.

Celeste stands in front of me, ice-blue eyes gleaming. Her curly hair is pulled back in a sleek ponytail, not a strand out of place.

"I'm sorry," I say quickly. "I wasn't looking…"

"No need for that."

She tucks a stray lock behind her ear, the movement slow and deliberate. Her gaze slides over me like I'm something she found on the bottom of her shoe.

"It seems you're having a lot of fun here."

"I'm just…"

"Enjoying your fifteen minutes?" She folds her arms.

“Excuse me?

 "Don't get too ahead of yourself. Thinking that this…" She gestures vaguely between us, as if encompassing the entire agency. "...whatever it is, is real. Or that Jax will love you and it'll last."

A laugh escapes her. Sharp and cold.

"I'm afraid you'll be very disappointed. Jax isn't that kind of guy. He gets bored easily. When he's done with you, he'll just toss you to the side.You aren't the first" She leans in slightly. "Ask any of his exes."

My jaw tightens. "I'm here to work. That's all."

The words come out calmer than I feel.

"Come on, girl." Celeste tilts her head, still smiling. "Don't beat yourself up too much. You're here for work, right? We shall see”

She steps closer. Our shoulders brush. Or rather, she deliberately rams hers into mine as she walks past.

I stand frozen, fists clenched at my sides.

I didn't sign up for this.

But where else would I go? Jobs aren't exactly growing on trees. I have Leo at home. Bills to pay. Rent due in two weeks.

I'll sit. I'l

l play along.

I won't have to do this forever. Right?

I close my eyes and take a breath.

Let's see where this takes me.