Chapter Four

I stare Austin out for a few seconds, did I just hear him correctly? I stand there at a lost for words, has he just walked in the room and forgotten about Roman all of a sudden?

"What do you mean we need to date, if you haven't already realised, I've been dating your best friend for years now!" I exclaim not really understanding why I would need to remind him, Roman's only been gone for not even 24 hours, he can't have forgotten about him.

"I know but just let me explain, my boss has hated me for the longest time, whatever I do he strikes me down and I never knew why. But a few weeks ago, I was sat having my break when he walks over and starts having this weird conversation with me. He starts asking me questions about life and if I was with someone, I didn't want to feel lame in front of my boss so I said I had a girlfriend" he starts to ramble not really explaining his point really, just because he told his boss he has a girlfriend doesn't mean I become her! "He started asking me questions about her and what her name was, I panicked and accidentally said her name was Payton. Now if that wasn't bad enough, he asked to see photos of you just in case he knew you" he says walking around the house but was really starting to bother me, can't this man get to see the point?!

"Austin, please just get to the point where you want me to date you!" I exclaim having enough of him telling me this huge story, just get to the ending!

"That was him on the phone asking if we wanted to go to dinner, I was about to say no but he told me it's there he'll go through the new promotion he's about to give me" he says while I just roll my eyes, this is such an Austin thing to do.

"I'm all for you getting a promotion and moving up in the world, but as I've just said I've been dating your best friend for years now, who probably won't take the little fact of me acting like your girlfriend too kindly" I tell him point blank, Roman's always been very protective over me, whenever I'm around a guy he constantly pulls me away. funnily, the only guy he doesn't is Austin, maybe he should have done.

"Roman isn't here, what he doesn't know can't hurt him" he shrugs like this was nothing, but I was seeing this as quite a big deal.

"That means I'll have to lie to him, Roman and I don't keep secrets" I say crossing my arms, he mumbles something under his breath before walking over to me.

"We won't have to lie to him if he never finds out" he awkwardly says coming to stand in front of me. "Please Payton, I really don't have any other choice, if I tell him the truth he'll be pissed that I lied and will go back to hating me. Please, I could really do with this extra cash every month" he pleads with me, something was different this time though.

It was an expression that I'd never seen on his face before, he was generally asking for my help and looked so worried that I was going to say no. I sigh a little taking a look down at the floor, I didn't want to have to lie to Roman but I knew how important this was for Austin. I did tell Roman I was gonna look out of Austin while he was away, if Roman does find out I can just tell him I was doing what I said I would.

"Okay, but we can't let this drag on for too long in case Roman comes back and finds all this out" I say with a pointed look, before I knew what was happening he picks me up and twirls me around.

"Thank you, thank you" he says over and over again before placing me back down on the floor, where I was a little dizzy not going to lie. "I owe you one, now the dinner is tomorrow" he says before running back into his bedroom, well that just happened.

The next morning was spent with Austin telling me what he's told his boss about us, apparently we'd been dating for a year and met at a market. No idea why he choose for us to meet there, couldn't he just say we met online or something? One little thing Austin forgot to tell me was this dinner wasn't just with his boss, the whole company are getting together in this huge mansion for a fancy party. If he would have told me that last night I probably wouldn't have agreed, the thought of the whole company being there was intimidating. What if me or Roman know someone that someone else is bringing? They'll either think Roman and I broke up and I've moved on rather quickly, or I'm out cheating on Roman while he's away. I've been accused of that fact already anyway! Austin told me this wasn't a big deal and the time is just gonna fly by, I was hoping what he was wishing is true.

I walk out of my bedroom ready for this fancy dinner/party, I wore a black skater skirt mini dress, with just normal black heels. I didn't know how much effort I really needed to put into this, let's be honest all these people are just car mechanics. Austin was stood in the kitchen in his black suit, I've never saw him this dressed up before.

"Come on Payton" he shouts whilst turning around where he spots me, he immediately freezes just looking me all over, which does make me paranoid.

"Am I wearing the wrong thing, I didn't know what I should wear?" I ask nervously looking down at myself, yes I didn't want to be associated with these people but I still wanted to make a good impression, what if I want my car fixed in the future? But I guess that would need to involve me owning a car and knowing how to actually drive.

"No, you look perfect" he says looking at me once more before smiling, woah that's the biggest relief! I thought he was gonna demand that I go and change or something! "We-um need to leave now, the place is about about half an hour away" he says picking up his keys from the counter, I smile making sure I have everything before walking towards the front door.

Austin was close behind me as we walk down the steps of the apartment, the neighbours smile at us as we walk down the stairs and towards Austin's car, which was parked in Roman's space. I don't know why, but it kind of upset me to see it there. I know it's just a parking space but it just confirms that he's not here, I know he hasn't died or anything but I'm still gonna miss him. He hadn't called me from his trip yet which was worrying, but he's probably so busy making everyone fall in love with his product.

"Now I understand why Roman likes to park here, it's so much easier" Austin laughs unlocking his car, I laugh opening up the car door and climbing in beside him. "Now it's time to act like a couple" he smiles switching the car on, yeah a sentence I never thought he'd say.