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“Absolutely not.”“Why? It’s a great idea!”“Maybe if I lived in your demented little head it would seem great, but from out here it sounds like one of the seven circles of hell.”Raye finally looked up from her paperwork at Jonah seated in the leather chair before her desk. He was giving her a smile that was somehow fond and shiteating. God, she hated that smile.“Stop smiling at me like that, you look like the Joker.”“What? It’s just you really know how to make a guy feel special.”He stood up, smoothed out his suit jacket and rebuttoned it. It was charcoal grey, well tailored, and paired with a blue shirt and tie. It unfortunately brought out his eyes, and even more unfortunately it made him look quite dashing with his sunny blond curls.She hated that too.And she really hated the fact he was looking at her so smugly right now.“What?” she snapped. “I have to finish writing this presentation, so spit it out and let me focus.”“I’m just wondering what’s worse: pretending to be each other’s plus one for the endless parade of holiday parties coming up, or having your father spend each of said holiday parties parading out mealy-mouthed young men who are more advantageous to him than you as potential marriage candidates.”Unfortunately he had her there. The idea of spending the holiday season getting every eligible bachelor thrown at her sounded like the highest form of torture. Especially after--“Just two words, Raye: Barron Fucking Kushner.”“That’s three words.”“It’s hyphenated.” He smirked at her. “But the point still stands.”He, of course, was correct. Damn it all. She still couldn't believe she had confided in Jonah of all people, but she just attributed that to a moment of post-break-up weakness, and a fair bit of scotch.Jonah had found her alone in the back of the bar down the street from the office -- it seemed to be his not-so-secret talent, finding her when she definitely didn’t want to be found. She had already been deep in her cups at that point. He had taken one look at her and instead of the usual flirtatious banter and endless goading he favored, he had sat down next to her and hadn’t said a word.Raye hadn’t said anything at first. Not even to tell him to fuck off. She had just nursed her drink until the words started to bubble up, and then she had told him everything. She told him about Barron, his connection to her father and her family, and how she had been in love with him, to some degree, since she was fourteen. She told him how they hadn’t started dating until after she had finished university, and how she thought everything had been set in stone; for better or worse.Then she told him about Barron’s affair, and how her father had taken his side in the whole ordeal. Because wasn’t it worse to lose such a fine underling than betray your own daughter?Jonah hadn’t said much aside from a few non-descript hums and grunts to show his interest and displeasure accordingly. He just listened in silent support while she blabbed out her deepest darkest feelings. It had been utterly mortifying.He had seen her home that night, despite her protests that she was perfectly fine to take an Uber home. Still, he had rode with her to her place, at which point things grew hazy for her. But she was sure he hadn’t said anything while he guided her to bed, and had gotten her a glass of water.In fact he hadn’t brought it up in the months following except for the odd disparaging word against Barron and her father. She had actually come to appreciate those.At this point she supposed they were friends. Or at least friendly. Which was a far cry from the heated shouting matches they had when he first joined the company. So they had to be friends or else she was getting soft.“Well?” Jonah prompted and pulled her focus back to the present, and the matter at hand. He lifted his eyebrows entreatingly, and Raye sighed heavily.Her father would be shoving eligible bachelors at her, there was no doubt about it. And Barron would be at several of the corporate parties she was obligated to attend. Barron and his new fiancée. The thought still made her a little ill.So she could navigate that horror alone, or she could use Jonah as a human shield. Really, he was doing her a favor if she thought about it. Raye frowned.“Wait, what do you get out of this exactly?”“You mean aside from the pleasure of your disdain?” He flashed her a charming grin. “The same thing; keep all the would-be matchmakers off my back. Plus you’ll have to be my date to the New Year’s Eve party my sister throws every year. If I show up with a date I might be able to stave off her attempts at cupid for at least a few months.”“So we’re going to say we’re actually dating?”“Yeah, that’s kind of the point. Showing up with a random date is one thing, but showing up with your significant other is completely different.”“Won’t that be weird with work?”“Nah, I mean we’re in different departments and have the same level of seniority. We can ask Molly to draft up the paperwork if you’re worried?”“Ugh, I hate this.” Raye rubbed her hands over her face.“But you’ll do it?” She couldn’t help but notice the hopeful lilt in his voice. She sighed again.“But I’ll do it.”“Fantastic!” He clapped his hands and strode to the door of her office. Apparently that was the end of the negotiations. Honestly, that was fine, she really had to get back to work. “I”ll start working on some ground rules. Text me your yes and no’s. Oh, and hey?” He stopped half way out the door.“Yeah?” she asked absently, trying to remember where she had left off.“When you compared being my fake girlfriend to the seven circles of hell, was it the second level?”“Second level?” Raye tried to remember when she studied the Divine Comedy in school.Jonah gave her a slow, cheshire cat grin. Not good. “You know, lust.”He ducked out the door just before her pen could hit him, although she could still hear his boisterous laughter down the hall. She was going to live to regret this. *** 
The first
 In the next few days there was an endless flow of texts as they ironed out the details of their shiny new fake relationship. Starting with how they got together: a date near Labor Day weekend that set everything off with a spark. Now after three-ish months together they decide to make things Official.There were endless discussions of what was permissible (hand holding, pecks on the cheek, and a few terms of endearment), where hands were allowed casually (knees, elbows, shoulders, and the small of the back), and so on and so forth.Of course the negotiations only lasted as long as they did because Jonah seemed dead set on pushing any and all boundaries to get a rise out of her. The way he pushed her buttons would almost be admirable, if it weren’t so damned annoying.Their debut as a ‘couple’ was a fundraising gala organized by the company for good PR, and to schmooze investors. The money was real, but everything else was very much fake goodwill and charity, which probably suited their plan the best.Fake fake fake.Raye paced the lobby of the hotel, waiting on Jonah so they could arrive at the rented ballroom together. She could see her reflection in the shining metal doors of the elevators. The short train of her crushed velvet dress clutched in one hand, accentuating the knee high slit. She absently fiddled with the drape neck, so the folds fell in just the right way, and then smoothed her long raven over one shoulder to show off the open back.She looked perfectly polished, she had made sure of that before leaving her apartment, but that knowledge didn’t quell the nervous energy she needed to release. Where the hell was Jonah anyway? The sooner they got in there, the sooner they could leave.“Wow.”“About time you--” she stopped short as she whipped around and became highly aware of how thoroughly he was looking her over.Raye knew she was an attractive woman, that wasn’t arrogance, just a fact. Especially given the treatment she had received for most of her life. Jonah was not immune to that fact, obviously, but he had never quite looked at her like he was in that moment. There was a softness to his gaze that she hadn’t ever seen from him before.It was unnerving and weird.“You look fantastic,” he finally said.“Thank you.” She took his appearance -- blond hair tousled just enough to look roguish without being unkempt, the edges curling slightly at the collar of his tuxedo. The tuxedo, like all of his suits, was perfectly tailored, accentuating broad shoulders and a slim waist. His shirt was black, the only pops of color coming from his wine-red bow tie and pocket square.Both of which were a close match to her own gown.“How did you know I would wear red?” She arched a brow at him.“I took a guess.” He offered his elbow. Raye dropped the train of her gown, letting it settle behind her in a half circle. She slipped her arm through his and took a deep breath, only to be hit with a whiff of his cologne -- it was a subtly heady scent, a little woody and spicy. She unfortunately found she liked it a lot.“Ready, darling?” he asked with a salacious wink.“I swear when all of this is over I’m going to punch you for talking me into this.”“Promises, promises.” He started leading her toward the ballroom, his hand a reassuring weight atop her arm. He squeezed gently and for the first time it dawned on her that he might be just as nervous as she was.“Remember,” he said as they arrived at the doors leading inside, “you’re madly in love with me and want to jump my bones.”Raye snorted inelegantly. “I’m not an actress. I was aiming for marginally enamored and not repulsed. Think that’ll do?”“Hey, it’s an improvement from yesterday.”He flashed her a sunny grin, completely unfazed as usual, and Raye was extremely reluctant to admit that that wasn’t completely true. Because yesterday (and the day before and for the past several months in all honesty) she had definitely found him to be the opposite of repulsive.As they walked inside and were met with various colleagues, all of them ready with a comment on their relationship, Raye found that while she might not be an actress, Jonah certainly was an actor. If all the soft looks and easy familiarity were anything to go by. He was selling it extremely well, and she did her best to follow suit.Much to horror her, it seemed to get easier the longer she played at it. *** 
The second
 Raye couldn’t say she had a completely awful time at the gala. It was nice having someone to share snide comments with, especially when the self-satisfied praise started making the rounds. All the polished rich people, so pleased with their generosity while flashing their million dollar watches and jewels.She was also thankful that her father had foregone the event, which meant she hadn’t had to playact in front of him. Not that she was worried about him catching her in a lie, but it had made the whole thing far less nerve wracking.Now it was time for their second outing. An opulent cocktail party held by one of their top clients, chock full of the finest food and booze money could buy. The rented ballroom (another one across town from where the gala had been) was truly a feast for the eyes with sparkling Christmas trees in gold and silver, and enough glittering dresses to fill a department store.For the night Raye was bedecked in a sequin cocktail dress, flashing like a disco ball every time she moved. She had worried that she would feel a little too showy, but it seemed she was just another body in the endless swirl of pomp and circumstance.Jonah, thankfully, hadn’t left her side all night, dutifully playing the part of an adoring boyfriend. He was so good at it, in fact, there were times when Raye almost forgot it was all fake. Not that she wanted it to be real, it just… was confusing. Very confusing.“Want to dance?”She stopped with her champagne flute halfway to her mouth, and blinked up at Jonah. “Huh?”“Dance?” He jerked his head toward the dance floor.“I guess. It’ll look good, right?”“Yeah. All for looks.” Jonah tugged her champagne flute free, sat it on a nearby table, and took her hand. She had come to find that his hands tended to dwarf hers, but she didn’t hate it. His hands were always pleasantly warm, and oddly comforting when they wrapped around hers. Now was no exception.He led her out to the dance floor with the other couples, lifted their joined hands and gently laid his free one on her waist. They settled in a rather formal hold, and Jonah shook his head gently.“You can get closer. I won’t bite.”She shuffled a little nearer, and managed to suppress a surprised squeak (because she did not squeak) when he pulled her flush against him. Raye craned her neck back slightly to look up at him, his eyes full of amusement at her obvious surprise.“You’re getting entirely too comfortable with this whole thing,” she grumbled.“We gotta sell it, babe.” He grinned a little wider and started guiding her slowly around the floor. “Things haven’t been that bad, have they? I had a good time at the gala.”“It wasn’t entirely unfortunate,” she said with a hint of a smile.“High praise indeed.”He spun her across the floor. She wasn’t all that surprised that he was a good dancer, he’d always had a certain grace to his movements. As they moved together, she was a little enchanted by the whole thing. The music, the glittering lights, the smell of his cologne, and the press of his warm body against hers. If she wasn’t careful she could get used to this.That thought did not need to be dwelled upon, however, just like she didn’t need to dwell on the fact that he smelled as good as he did. Or that his hand was as warm and secure as it was as he held hers. Or that his eyes were as blue as they were.“Jonah?”“Hm?”“I am having a nice time.”He bestowed upon her a beatific smile, his eyes softening. “See, I told you it was a great idea.”“I guess you were bound to have one eventually.”Jonah laughed as he twirled her out. When he pulled her back in, she was caught off guard when he placed a fond kiss on her forehead. She didn’t mean to tense up, she simply hadn’t been expecting the contact.“Sorry,” he whispered. “We just, uh, had our fair share of onlookers, your dad included, and thought we should make it look good.”“My father’s here?” She untangled herself from him slowly and stepped back, feeling oddly bereft from the lack of contact. Her eyes flitted over the crowd, searching for her father’s familiar form. When she finally found him she wasn’t surprised to find him looking dour.“Should we go say hi?”Raye turned her face toward Jonah and frowned. “Nothing for it now. This should be fun.”“Well, I’m here, and that was the whole point right? To annoy him and show a united front?” He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.The sentiment was very much appreciated, and perhaps one of the most comforting things anyone had ever said to her. It was certainly the first time someone had been completely on her side in a situation like this. That realization hit her hard. She knew now that even when she had been with Barron, he had always silently been her father’s subordinate first, and her partner second.“Thank you.” She gave him a sincere smile and started to lead him toward her father.Her father showed her the appropriate level of deference for where they were, but she could see the coldness in his eyes. The endless questions he couldn’t ask; the blatant disapproval. All things she knew she would face in time, but that knowledge didn’t make it any easier to deal with.Unsurprisingly Jonah remained close to her side, and completely unfazed by her father’s thorough surveillance.“Father, this is Jonah Rask.”“Yes, I knew I recognized you. You’re part of Westerberg’s team.”“That’s correct, sir.” Jonah held out his hand, which her father patently ignored. She could see Jonah’s jaw working as he grit his teeth, lowering his hand and instead placing it on the small of her back.“Interesting choice of date, Raymonde.”The only thing that kept her from rolling her eyes was years of practice. She knew this would happen. Jonah had known as well. Yet it still rankled. No one Raye chose would ever be good enough for her father. Only his choices were valid.“More than a date, sir.” Jonah was back to his usual goading self, and Raye found it much more charming when directed at her father. “I’m her boyfriend.”That seemed to shine him in a new light in her father’s eyes. She prayed he wasn’t about to try to make Jonah’s working life more difficult just for the sheer fact they were dating. Honestly, Raye should have anticipated that as well.“I see,” was all he said. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a few more people I need to say hello to. Raymonde.” He inclined his head as if she were a business associate rather than his own child.“Father.”He left without another word or second glance toward Jonah. After her father was out of ear shot, Jonah gave a low whistle as he snagged them two champagne flutes from a waiter.“That went well, I think.”“You know he’s probably going to ask his head of security to give you a thorough background check, right?”“I figured as much. He’ll find such horrifying skeletons in my closet such as the time I lied to my school about having mono while simultaneously lying to my parents about a school trip for the baseball team all so I could go to New York Comic-Con for all four days.”“Why wouldn’t your parents let you go?”“I met up with some online friends and we shared a hotel room. I doubt they would have approved of my meeting up with strangers alone.”“Right. So you were a nerd growing up?”“Nerd can have such negative connotations, Raymonde. I prefer to call myself an enthusiastic media connoisseur.”“Uh huh, sounds like something a nerd would say.”“Hey, being a nerd -- negative connotations or not -- is very chic right now. I’m very in.”“Okay, you keep telling yourself that.” She indulgently patted his shoulder and drained the rest of her champagne to hide her smile.“You know your dad still has his eyes glued on us, right?”“Not surprising.”Jonah knocked back the rest of his drink as well and looked down at Raye with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Want to really get under your dad’s skin?”“What are you thinking?”“Little PDA.”Raye frowned, mentally recounting their list of do’s and don’ts for their fake relationship. She highly doubted a kiss on the cheek would provoke much of a reaction from her father, and right at the moment she wanted a reaction. For better or worse.“Fine. You lead, I’ll follow.”He seemed a little surprised that she gave in so easily, but he shrugged it off and sat down his empty glass. Jonah turned back to her, a softness in his eyes that she was starting to like seeing.Jonah laid his hands gently on either side of her face, his palms warm and sure, and crowded her space a little bit while gently tilting her face upward. She tried to ignore the involuntary thrill that ran down her spine -- who wouldn’t have that reaction to him? He was devastatingly handsome afterall.“Okay?” he asked, leaning in close, his breath a ghost across her chin.“Okay,” she whispered, her voice a little breathy despite herself.A moment passed between them, likely no more than the span of a heartbeat, but to Raye it felt more like an hour. Just when she was about to lift herself up on her toes to get it over where, Jonah’s lips pressed against hers in a soft, achingly tender kiss.Now instead of slowing down to a snail’s pace, time seemed to speed up and before Raye could truly process the fact that Jonah was kissing her -- and kissing her well -- he was already pulling back.Raye opened her eyes slowly, a little dazedly, and found Jonah already looking at her. His gaze was hooded, and maybe he was just as dazed as she was. But there was such fondness in his eyes, a fondness she hadn’t ever been on the receiving end of for as long as she could remember. It made her heart stutter inside her chest.“Do you think that worked?” Jonah asked in a husky voice that didn’t quite sound like him.“Yeah,” she nodded and pressed her lips together. “I think it worked.” *** 
The third
Raye wasn’t a romantic by nature. Perhaps once upon a time when she was younger and more fanciful; before experience had taught her better. Since life had shown her differently, she didn’t let herself get carried away with ideas and ideals, like Selene might.And as someone who was a little more pragmatic about life and romance, she rarely indulged in flights of fancy and daydreams. Those were better suited to young girls and people like Selene who had still managed to retain a bit of innocence into adulthood.All that said, it was a little over a week later and Raye still couldn’t seem to shake the memory of Jonah’s kiss from her mind. It haunted her, like a spectre dancing on the edge of her vision.It had been a good kiss, but she’d had plenty of good kisses in her life. And it certainly hadn’t been a heated kiss, short and chaste for the setting. Just enough to annoy her father at the public display, but sweet enough to keep it respectful for the setting.All in all it had been the perfect kiss.For the game.A perfect kiss for show, to solidify their pretend relationship.Not a perfect kiss in general.Raye thunked her head onto her desk and wondered, not for the first time, what was wrong with her. She didn’t have feelings for Jonah. She couldn’t. That was it. It was final. This was all just getting to her. The lying and pretending and faking. Between the breakup with Barron earlier in the year, and the pressure of the holidays, it only made sense she might get a little carried away.Glancing at her watch, Raye realized she only had a little bit of time to get ready for the company Christmas party. She sighed and made her way toward the small bathroom attached to her office to change.After tonight it would be three down. Three to go. Halfway there.“You can do it, Raymonde,” she said to her reflection and set about getting ready.The dress for the night was a sleek black cocktail dress with a tuxedo jacket lapel, and a modest slit. She pinned her hair up into a low chignon and called it good. Fashionable and work appropriate.Exiting the bathroom she was surprised to find her father waiting in her office. He stood by the window, hands folded behind his back. His posture was ramrod straight, everything perfectly polished and pristine in a way that almost made him look fake. Like a mannequin.“Raymonde, we need to talk.”“I’m off the clock, father. I’m sure it can wait until tomorrow.”“This isn’t about work.”Raye rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about this, father.”“Too bad, we are talking about it.” He finally turned to look at her, eyes cool and distant. “I have no idea what you think you’re doing.”“I’m dating Jonah.” She spread her hands, mentally buckling in for the ride. “What do you find so objectionable about him? It can’t be his work ethic or education, or else he wouldn’t have ever made it past the interview process. It certainly can’t be simply because he’s a colleague, because you never batted an eye at my relationship with Barron.”“So my guess,” she raised her voice when her father opened his mouth, “is that you’re pissed that I made a decision without consulting you first. Well guess what? I’m an adult, father, and I can choose whom I do and do not date.”“I will not begrudge you any dalliances, but you have to realize that parading him around in the places you have been sends a certain message to those who run in our circles.”“What kind of message? That we’re a couple? That was the point, father.” Raye started gathering up her things, grabbing her cell from her desk and double checking her bag held her keys.“That you’re far more serious than you are.”Raye’s head snapped up. “You have no idea how serious I am.”“Are you intending to marry the young man?”“Maybe,” was the defiant reply.Her father gave her a long look that told her exactly how little he appreciated her reply. “I suggest you stop parading him round like a little toy on a leash, and focus on more important matters.”“Like throwing myself at some jackass you find suitable? You can’t just pimp out to men because you think they’re less objectionable than my choice.” Raye glared at her father, matching his ire with her own. “That’s the key there, my choice. I’m not a chess piece to be maneuvered across the board to get you the most advantageous match. I am a grown woman with my own perceptions and thoughts; my own wants. So you can kindly step back from this situation, and respect the fact that Jonah and I are in a relationship.”If there was one thing her father loathed, it was being told what to do. It was something they had in common.“You will end this relationship by the new year. Then next year we can work on finding you a proper match. Jonah may be a good employee, but he’s not from our world. He doesn’t fit in, nor will he ever, and that needs to be taken into account.”“How dare you?” Raye offered up a withering glare. “Jonah is a good man. Better than anyone you’ve flung at me; better than I deserve probably. So why don’t you take your fake concern, and your overbearing bullshit and stop trying to control me like I’m one of your flunkies. I’m your daughter, you should want me to be happy.”His nostrils flared, and for a moment she thought he was going to press the issue. However, he seemed to think better of it and instead turned toward the door. “We’ll revisit this conversation later, Raymonde.”“I'm certain we will,” she hissed under her breath.Taking a few deep breaths to calm her anger, and to give her father enough time so they wouldn’t be stuck in the same elevator. Once she deemed it safe, Raye shouldered her purse and marched out of her office only to collide with a solid frame right outside.“Whoa, where’s the fire?” Jonah’s hands settled on her shoulders to steady her. His face went from amused to concerned when he got a better look at her. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing… just my dad.”“Ah, about me then?” He frowned deeply. “I’m sorry if this whole thing is causing more problems than it’s worth.”“No, it’s not your fault. These are issues that have been there for years, the worst you did was maybe pour a little lighter fluid on it. But I lit the match all on my own.” She gave him a sardonic smile.He looked her over, met her eyes squarely as if he were trying to discern something. She wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking for, but when he spoke again his voice was soft.“Want to skip the party?”“Shouldn’t we make an appearance?”“It’s not mandatory. Even if it was, who’d enforce it? Your dad?” He offered his arm to her. “We can go find some dinner somewhere, maybe a few cocktails, and hopefully end the night on a better note than it started. What do you say?”Raye looked up at him; his eyebrows lifted entreatingly, and a charming quirk of his lips that let her know he was being completely sincere. The whole presentation, the genuine care, made something in her chest flutter and a warmth spread outward.“I think that sounds great.” She laced her arm through his, letting him guide her toward the elevators, and tried to think about how it almost sounded like they were going on a real date.Even more she tried to not to think about how much she wished it were. *** 
The fourth
 Their fourth party was a smaller affair for major shareholders and members of the board. It was something Raye usually had to attend, but it was Jonah’s first foray into this particular den of jackals.Raye wore red again, a sleek sheath dress with a wide gold belt. Jonah had donned a grey tweed suit that gave him a rather aristocratic air, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he had done that as a dig toward her father.She hoped he had.Although it seemed they lucked out, as her father was not in attendance for the evening. She had only a moment to wonder who he might send in his place, a fanciful thought really because of course there was only one answer.Barron stood on the side of the room, hair styled with a generous amount of pomade so nary a lock would stray out of place. He wore a three piece suit that was vaguely reminiscent of her father in the sense that everything was a little too perfect. A little too fake. The look was completed with his round glasses that were just a little bit too small for his face. Once upon a time she had found them charming, now she just thought he looks like a hipster trying too hard.Beside him was the woman he had cheated with. She was everything Raye was not: tall, lanky, and blonde. Curvaceous in all the right places, and just this side of twenty-one.“We can skip out if you want?” Jonah had leaned in close to her ear, his breath tickling the fine hairs of her neck. It took her a moment to parse through what he had exactly he had said.She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”“Okay, but if you change your mind just say ‘cheeseburger’ and we’ll dip.”“Why cheeseburger?”“Because the odds of discussing a cheeseburger here are extremely low, and I figured we could hit up a diner. Nothing like drowning your sorrows in greasy food and shakes.”Raye wasn’t entirely sure how to explain to Jonah that there wouldn't be any need to down her sorrows. She hardly felt a twinge at seeing Barron, the problem was that it was weird.Weird to think she had spent so much time hung up on him. Weird that she had, at one time, thought him the end all and be all of her life. But looking back she realized now how incredibly bland everything had been. Their relationship, their daily life… him.She had something else to compare it to -- even if it was fake -- and she found Barron to be extremely wanting. The worst she felt now was regret at wasting so much time and effort on someone who never really meant that much to her.It wasn’t like he was J---nope. No. Not going there. Never going there. But even if she couldn’t go down that road she could at least admit to herself that she didn’t care about drowning any perceived sorrows, but rather she liked spending time with Jonah. Whether it was at a glamorous party, a diner, or even just stopping at a dodgy food truck.“I’ll even ask them for extra whip cream on your shake.” He winked at her.“You do make a very tempting offer,” she said, entirely sincere.“That’s because I always have great ideas. You just need to go along with them more often.”“You’ve had two good ideas, let’s not get carried away.”Jonah stopped with his glass halfway to his mouth and eyed her askance. “So you think this whole scheme has been a good idea? Even after the shitshow with your dad?”“Yes. I’ve maybe even had a nice time. But don’t let it go to your head.”“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He grinned widely and rocked on the balls of his feet. “I have too. Had a nice time, I mean. You’re actually fun when you’re not caught up arguing with me. Although the arguing can be kind of fun too.”“I guess this means we’re friends now.” Raye lifted her glass and clinked it against Jonah’s.“Something like that.” His eyes seemed darker somehow, a brilliant navy, while he searched her face. She hadn’t a clue what he could be looking for, but a small voice in the back of her mind hoped he found it.Raye felt like something shifted; something intangible but important. The air between them grew charged, and there was a fleeting moment of clarity when Raye knew that Jonah was going to kiss her. And not for show.His face seemed to grow closer in her vision although she couldn’t say which of them was leaning forward. Maybe they both were?“Raye.”The sound of her name dissolved the tension that had built between them, because the voice most assuredly did not belong to Jonah.“Hello, Barron,” she said as she turned to slowly face the interloper.“It’s good to see you.” Barron’s voice was as refined and practiced as it always had been.This wasn’t their first time seeing one another since their official breakup, but it was the first time she felt completely calm at seeing him. Well, calm aside from the annoyance.“I see father roped you into taking his place.”“Yes, he thought it was for the best given the current… issues.”There was no mistaking the way his eyes darted to Jonah as he spoke. For his part Jonah looked rather pleased with himself, face bright and sunny. He shot out his hand toward Barron.“Jonah Rask, the current issue.”“Barron--”“Oh, I know exactly who you are.” Jonah gave Barron’s hand a firm shake. “I mean I’ve been wanting to meet you, actually. To thank you.”“Thank me?”“Of course. If you hadn’t fucked everything up then Raye and I wouldn’t be here right now. It was after your breakup that we actually started talking like civilized people and then one thing led to another, and now the rest is history. So thank you for that.”Barron frowned in confusion, obviously unsure how to take anything that Jonah had said. For her part Raye had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.“Talking like civilized people?” Barrow muttered to himself. “You’re that Jonah? Raye used to plot all the ways she was going to kill you and dispose of your body.”“I’m not surprised; it is incredibly easy to push her buttons. Fun too. And it’s a fine line between love and hate, as the old adage goes.” He winked salaciously at Raye, and she had to wonder if he was trying to push her buttons right now.She spared a moment trying to discern his motives, he met her gaze straight on. His lips were quirked in that perpetually amused state he lived in. It used to piss her off how flippant he was, but now she found herself appreciating it more. At least more so when she felt in on the joke rather than the butt of it.A gentle cough pulled her attention away from Jonah to the young woman beside Barron. Right. Her. Raye had long gotten over her animosity toward her, but that didn’t mean they would ever be friends.“How rude of us,” Jonah said. “This must be your fiancée--”“Wife, now,” she said coolly, looking directly at Raye. There was a challenge there, and really all Raye wanted to say was that she could have him.“Congratulations. Father never mentioned you had made it official.” Raye could wonder at his withholding the information, but truly she didn’t care enough to dwell.“Well, we were going to wait until the new year, but Aliviyah insisted it be sooner rather than later.” Barron placed his arm around his new wife’s waist. For the first time Raye noted the way the other woman had a slim hand held against her stomach. It was hard to notice past the layers of tulle on her party dress, but now that she was looking it was difficult not to see.“You’re pregnant,” Raye said flatly. “Um wow, congratulations again! When are you due?”“Doctor says April.” Aliviyah smiled brightly, and she did truly look happy. Raye couldn’t fault her for that.“April. Wow.” Although if the kid ended up born on the same day as Raye, she was legally changing her birthday. Somehow.A very heavy silence fell over their quartet, and Raye was dimly aware of Jonah slipping his hand into hers: reassuring and grounding. Before things verged on tragically awkward, Barron pointed out a very prominent board member, and took his leave under the pretense of saying hello. Aliviyah followed close behind.“You okay?” Jonah asked once the couple were out of earshot.Raye sucked in a deep breath and took stock. Was she blindsided? Of course she was. Did it seem like absolute madness that he was married with a child on the way while they had been together for nearly six years without tying the knot? Abso-fucking-lutely.Did any of that truly bother her? Surprisingly no.She looked up to find Jonah watching her, genuine concern in his eyes. Actually for all his snark and button pushing, Jonah was incredibly genuine. And kind, once she got to know him. He was fun and funny and whip smart in such a natural way. Jonah was so many things that Barron was not. So many things most men in her life were not.The longer she remained silent the more noticeable Jonah’s concern was. He reached out, gripped her elbow gently, his body angling to block Barron and Aliviyah from view.“Cheeseburger?” he asked.“I’m fine,” she said at length. “Really,” she emphasized when he arched his eyebrows. “Although given how much you’ve talked about it, I am kind of craving a burger now.”“Sure, we can pick up something and I’ll drop you home.” He nodded and started steering her toward the exit.“No. Let’s go out. Together.”“Yeah?” The look of bewilderment that crossed his face was disgustingly endearing, and had it been another time Raye might have flinched at thinking such a thing. Now, however, she just accepted it.“Yeah. I think I’d like the company.”“Right, of course.” He nodded and continued their path to the door. Something had flashed across his face before he schooled it back into the sanguine expression he usually wore. If she had been paying closer attention she might have been able to name it.As it was, the only thing she could think to call it was disappointment. *** 
The fifth
 Their final Christmas party was unfortunately her father’s annual Christmas Eve party. It was exclusive and intimate and there was no way she could skip out without raising several eyebrows of some very important people.So Raye begrudgingly slipped into a sleek purple cocktail dress with a beautiful lace overlay, and mentally prepared herself to play her part. At the start of the month she was psyching herself up to play the part of Jonah’s girlfriend, now that was frighteningly easy; now she was psyching herself up not to verbally berate her father in public.She paced around her living room, waiting for Jonah to pick her up. It was not lost on her that she had paced similarly before their first outing as a couple.A knock sounded on her door, and glancing at the clock she realized he was punctual as usual and she was just incredibly nervous.“Hey,” she said as she opened the door.Jonah was resplendent in a navy herringbone suit, he had foregone a dress shirt and tie and instead wore a camel colored sweater that flattered his complexion.He eyed her appreciatively as he stepped inside. “You look beautiful as always.”“Thank you.” She felt oddly bashful at the compliment, and quickly chided herself for being ridiculous. She wasn’t a teenager going to prom for God’s sake.Jonah shifted nervously from foot to foot, and awkwardly cleared his throat. Then she noticed that both his hands were still folded behind his back. She could hear him suck in a breath before he withdrew a long velvet box from behind his back.“This is for you,” he said in a rush. “I figured it would make sense I’d get you a gift as your boyfriend, and well honestly, it made me think of you.”Raye took the box hesitantly and gently pulled back the lid. Nestled against the shiny sateen lining of the box was a stunning necklace. The textured chain and setting were white gold, the pendant itself was a cascade of rubies, all different cuts like a fall of petals, with diamonds interspersed.It was positively gorgeous.“Thank you, Jonah.”“You like it?” he asked, unable to hide the hopeful edge to his voice.“I love it. And I’ll be sure to take extra care so you can return it.”“No!” he blurted. “No, I mean, it’s yours. It suits you, so, uh, Merry Christmas?”“Jonah, I can’t accep-”“You can.” He took the box from her hands, carefully removing the necklace from its place. Without a word he moved behind Raye and set about draping it over her neck.Raye was acutely aware of how close he stood, the heat of his body, the way his breath tickled the back of her neck when she swept her hair to one side. He was gentle and careful as he clasped the necklace, making sure it laid just right.Jonah smoothed her hair down before finally stepping back, and Raye wished he had stayed close. This was getting ridiculous; she knew they were going to have to talk eventually.“We should get going, don’t want to be late.”“Right, let me get my bag and coat.” As she gathered up her things, Raye wondered if she imagined the tremble in his voice. *Their drive to her father’s estate was quiet and uneventful, which suited Raye just fine. She had a lot to think about and sort through. All of which started and ended with Jonah.Her father’s estate was done up like a Christmas portrait, all glittering white lights and evergreen boughs. Inside was just as festive and surprisingly homey; the scent of cinnamon and pastry hung in the air, with a fire crackling in the hearth of the main reception area.“Did you grow up here?” Jonah asked, looking around at all the polished mahogany and rich upholstery.“Yes. I believe I still have a room upstairs. At least my father claims I do.”“Huh,” Jonah breathed.“Maybe I’ll give you a tour later. For now let’s go put on a show.” She wasn’t feeling particularly merry, or social. But the sooner they made the rounds, the sooner they could leave. Raye took Jonah’s hand and steered him to the other partygoers.Given the nature of the party, Raye felt very much on display for the evening. Because of that she and Jonah made sure to act accordingly. More touching, more long looks, and soft whispers -- that were usually Jonah making an inappropriate joke. All the things that young couples in love did.Raye found it intoxicating.She knew there was something between; something real. A connection that went beyond the game they played or their burgeoning friendship. There was an attraction, a fondness that meant something.With Jonah at her side for the party it was easy for Raye to ignore her father’s snide comments, even the few young men from prestigious families he had invited; easy to ignore the awkwardness of Aliviyah’s glowing visage, and Barron’s incessant doting. The idea that it could have been her in that position made her shudder.It was well into the night when Raye pulled Jonah from the party, intent on giving him a personal tour as promised. Although it stood as a good enough reason to get him alone, away from prying eyes and gossiping lips.“So your family is like rich-rich, huh?” Jonah nodded toward the line of family portraits lining the staircase. They dated back several generations.“And they like to remind you of that fact.” Raye grabbed his hand, leading him up the steps although she stopped short when she caught a hint of green on the bannister above them. “Oh.”“Is that mistletoe?”“Looks like it.” Raye turned around on the step, and found herself almost eye level with Jonah.“No one’s around, we don’t have to.”“It’s tradition, isn’t it?”Raye placed her hand on his cheek and leaned forward. It was a simple kiss, just a brush of her lips against his, but it was a kiss without anyone watching. It was honest. She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze and gauge his reaction. To see if she was right about this thing between them.Jonah narrowed his eyes slightly, a little skeptical, but the longer he looked at her the softer his face grew. The moment stretched out between them, and Raye forced herself to breathe. She pulled in a deep breath, the scent of Jonah’s cologne tickling her nose. There was a shift in the air between them, and then they were both surging forward as their lips crashed together.It was so far from any of the performative kisses they had shared in the past weeks. It was so far from any kiss she had ever had in her life. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body flush against his as he splayed his hands on her back and hip.Raye felt overly hot and drunk and yet lucidly sober. She also wondered why she hadn’t kissed Jonah sooner, because obviously he was very, very good at it. There was a small part of her that wanted to drag him up to her old room, to let things carry out how they would. But the rest of her knew that would be ridiculous, and decidedly unsexy while under her father’s roof.Besides, that would mean breaking the kiss currently, and that seemed like a truly awful idea. She dug her fingers into his hair, raked her nails across his scalp and arched her back slightly.“Raye?” Jonah mumbled against her mouth. She made some noise in response, something low and throaty that caused his fingers to dig almost painfully into her hip.The next thing she knew Jonah had broken the kiss and placed both his hands on her shoulders, holding her at arm's length. He drew in a shaky breath, and dropped his hands, moving down a couple steps until he was on the landing.“We should get back to the party,” he said stiffly.“Jonah-”“Look, we got carried away. It’s understandable, given everything.”“Right.” Raye felt like she’d plunged through ice into a frozen lake. “Back to the party.”She had been such an idiot, all caught up in pretending like a simpering teenager reading fairy tales. At least he was kind enough to give her an easy out. She felt her face grow hot and prayed it wasn’t overly noticeable.“It’s late anyway, we can say our goodbyes and head home.”“That sounds like a good plan.”Raye barely registered what happened after that. She only went through the motions as they politely took their leave. The ride back to her apartment was full of heavy silence only punctuated by the radio.When they pulled up at her apartment complex, Jonah looked as if he was going to say something. And she just couldn’t bear to hear it. She couldn’t bear his kindness, his sympathy. Or worse yet his pity.So she fixed a polite smile on her face, and opened her door before he could speak. “Thank you for driving. And thank you for my gift. I’ll see you on New Year’s Eve then?”“Uh, yeah. You’re welcome?” He looked a little confused and Raye decided she wasn’t going to try to analyze it, because she would likely come up with the wrong impression again. “I’ll, uh, I’ll pick up at eight next week?”“Sounds good. Have a good Christmas, Jonah.” She slipped out of his car and dashed inside, pretending it was simply the cold that hurried her steps.Only once she was in the safety of her apartment, ensconced in the warmth of a fleece blanket and flannel pajamas, did she finally let herself feel the disappointment of the obvious rejection.She felt stupid and childish and absolutely mortified. She also felt more than a little heartbroken.“Damn it, Raye. It’s just a boy,” she chided herself when she felt her eyes start to sting slightly. “You’re not crying over a boy on Christmas.”That didn’t stop the ache in her chest though. *** 
The plus 1
 Raye didn’t speak to Jonah once the entire week. He texted her a couple times, but she resolutely ignored him. Better to lick her wounds in private, and pray to every god she could think of that he would just forget about everything.The only time she texted him was on New Year’s Eve day when she confirmed their plans. It was the last thing she wanted to do, go back to playing pretend, but it seemed cruel to screw him over after he had done so much for her.It wasn’t his fault she had fallen in love.She had spent enough time ruminating over everything to know that’s exactly what it was. She loved Jonah and that was the long and short of it.Now she would just have to pretend she didn’t, while acting like she did.Her dress for the party was a flashy champagne colored slip dress, the bodice was draped and the skirt was short. It was perfect for a new year’s eve party, but Raye was regretting the choice now. It felt like too much. Or too little.Too something.No matter, as it was definitely too late now. Especially when a knock sounded on her door.Raye took a moment to brace herself before opening the door. Jonah looked as handsome as ever in black slacks and sports jacket and a crisp navy shirt with the top buttons undone. He looked dashing and relaxed and she hated it.“I don’t know why I’m still shocked anymore, you always look gorgeous,” he said by way of greeting. She hated that too.“Thank you.”“You’re wearing the necklace?” Jonah looked genuinely surprised when he spotted it.“It makes sense, doesn’t it? For the scheme.”“Good thinking.” He nodded solemnly.“All right, let’s go. Just a few more hours of pretend, right?” She shrugged into her coat and marched out the door before Jonah could even think of helping her.*The party was at a posh restaurant on the bay, and Jonah’s sister, Madeline, had rented out the bar that overlooked the water. The place was all glitz and glam and elegance, done up like it belonged in a full magazine spread.Raye had only a moment to marvel at the splendor before a squeal from the otherside of the room caught her attention.“You’re here!”“Hey, Mads.” Jonah smiled as a beautiful woman rushed up to them.Her cascade of buttery blonde hair settled around her like a halo, and her sequined gold party dress dazzled with every movement. She crushed her brother into a hug.“And this is Raye!” She quickly discarded her brother and placed her focus on Raye instead. “You’re even more gorgeous than Jonah said.”Raye didn’t have time for a response before she was pulled into a hug as well.“I’m so, so glad to meet you,” Madeline said when she pulled back. “I knew he had a crush on you! He would go on and on about you and the, er, lively discussions you would get into. But I was sure there was something else going on, and I was right!”“We know, Mads, you’re practically cupid.” Jonah rolled his eyes.“Anyway,” Madeline made a show of ignoring her brother’s comment. “There are appetizers and drinks, have at it all! Jonah you know everyone, so please introduce Raye around?”“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be good.”“Excellent!” Madeline clapped her hands. “Now excuse me while I go make sure everyone is settling in. We’ll chat later, okay?” She looked imploringly at Raye who could only nod in response. Then she was gone in a flourish of gold and sunshine.“So that’s my sister.”“That’s your sister.” Raye smiled at the retreating gold figure. “She’s sweet.”“She is, she’s just rambunctious.” He offered his arm to her. “Shall we?”“Yup, best to get it all over with.” * The night was by far the most awkward they’d had together. Probably ever.Back when they were at each other’s throats and Jonah apparently took great pride in being able to push her buttons, they had at least been on the same page. It was a heated clash, a strategic retreat before things got too vicious, and a cooling off period before it started all over again.Over the past few months leading up to this whole charade they had been on tenuous good terms, each one treading more carefully than they ever had before and finding common ground.Then with their agreement for their fake relationship they had found themselves on even footing. Things flowed easily, the conversation and banter, the flirtations and camaraderie. They were a team and it was wonderful.Now they were at odds in a way they never had been before. It was uncomfortable and stilted, like they were reading from completely different scripts. It felt like Jonah had gone back to being a complete stranger and Raye hated every second of it.It was still well before midnight when Jonah had seemingly had enough, and proceeded to drag her outside to the spacious deck. It was currently empty, everyone choosing to remain inside in the warmth until the fireworks later despite the ample amount of space heaters.“Look, I don’t know what I did to piss you off, but Mads keeps trying to corner me to ask questions about what’s happened with us and I have no idea what to tell her.”“Me? You’re the one acting weird!”“I’m not the one who flinches everytime I so much as graze your arm.” Jonah ran a hand through his hair and frowned into the distance. “If this is about what happened at your dad’s party--”“Don’t,” Raye said firmly, holding up her hand. “We don’t need to talk about it, we can just pretend it never happened. It was a mistake, clearly, so let’s just forget about it and move on.”“Clearly,” he repeated with more than a little resentment in his voice. Even under the low ambient lighting she could see his jaw working as the shadows played across his face.He was angry.That made her angry. Angrier than she had been in a very long time. But at least that was familiar, and lord knew arguing with Jonah came as easily as breathing sometimes.“Oh, no,” she started. “You don’t get to be angry here. You have absolutely no right, so you can suck it up right now.”“Excuse me?”“You’re excused.” She crossed her arms and smirked at him, remembering the first time he had used that on her. She had wanted to punch him.“God damn it, Raye, what the hell do you think you’re playing at here? Am I really just a joke to you? Do you get together with your friends and laugh at my stupidity over wine and appetizers?”“What are you talking about?” The fact he would think she could be so unnecessarily cruel hurt. A lot. The fact he was playing the victim when he had rejected her rankled. She didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself, so she leaned on her anger and annoyance like a crutch. “So I’m just some rich bitch to you? Glad we got that sorted.”“Listen--”“No, you listen, Jonah. You were the one to come up with this entire plan. You were the one who decided to play at games neither of us were prepared for. You were the one who kissed me back. And you were the one who rejected me. So you can save your pity party for someone else, because right now you could jump into the bay and freeze to death for all I care!” she spat with all the vehemence she could muster, and whirled on her heel intending to stomp back inside and call for a ride home.Unfortunately he caught her arm before she could take a full step, and turned her back to face him.“So that’s what this is? A perceived slight, and you just have to have the last word. Well I’m not giving you the satisfaction, Raymonde.”“Perceived slight? I kissed you, Jonah, and you acted like it was nothing.”“It was nothing! At best I was a proxy for Barron, and don’t try to deny it. I saw you watching him and Aliviyah all night, just pining after what you’d lost. And at worst I was a fucking distraction, something for you to use for five minutes to make yourself feel better.”“I wasn’t pining, I was thinking about how lucky I was to have dodged that bullet, you jackass!” Raye exploded. “And for the record I kissed you because I love you!” She punctuated her words with a frustrated shove at his shoulders.The shove lacked any real malice or force, she just felt the need to do something and she was terrified she might just up and kiss him again if she wasn’t careful. All the anger drained out of her then, and she wasn’t left with anything except a meekness that didn’t suit her and a rush of cold.“Are you serious?”“Yes,” she said miserably, and wrapped her arms around herself to try to stave off the chill. “I think I’ve been in love with you for a while, it just took all this for me to realize. I didn’t kiss you on the stairs for any other reason than I wanted to kiss you.”Raye stopped and briefly shut her eyes because at the rate this was going she would end up crying, and she would rather die than let him see that. She was startled when Jonah settled his jacket over her shoulders and she was enveloped in warmth and the scent of spice. She looked up to find him crowding her space, his hands gripping her elbows gently, and his face distractingly close and achingly soft.He swallowed thickly and wet his lips. “I’ve been in love with you since well before things ended between you and Barron. I used to spend an inappropriate amount of time cursing his general existence because you were clearly too good for him.”“And,” he continued before she could speak, “I didn’t plan on roping into this scheme. I just walked into your office that day and spewed it all out before I knew what I was saying. Then I’ve spent the last few weeks flip-flopping between self-loathing at my own scheming, and genuine elation because at least I got to pretend you were mine for a little bit.”There was a long silence while Raye tried to parse through what he had said, and what it all meant.“You know this still means you’re a jackass, right?” she finally said.“Undoubtedly.”“I should be angry with you for using me like that.”“It would be completely understandable and reasonable,” he agreed without hesitation.Raye wasn’t entirely sure she forgave him, but that was a secondary thought at the moment. She could be angry with him later, and he could apologize and try to make it up to her. But later.Right now, however, there was the pressing matter of the fact they both were in love with each other and that knowledge made her feel ridiculously, stupidly giddy.“So what happens now?” she asked.“Well, if you’re not going to deck me right now, then I have a suggestion.”“I’m listening.”“We ditch my sister’s party and we go somewhere quiet, and not freezing, to actually talk about this no longer fake relationship.”“I could work with that.” Raye looped her arms around his waist, mainly for the shared body heat. Mainly. He dutifully wrapped his arms around her shoulders.“And maybe we make out a little bit. Or a lot. Really, I’m flexible on that point.” He shrugged.“What makes you think I want to make out with you?”“Your own admission about wanting to kiss me that’s what.”Raye nodded. “That was before I knew what a jackass you were.”“That’s fair. So obviously I need to apologize.”“You do.”“Any tips on how best to win your favor again?” He leaned in close and put his lips to her ear, his cool cheek resting against hers. “Other than saying that I am profusely sorry for using in such a smarmy, douchebaggy, Barron-eque way. Although I am not completely sorry for the outcome.”“That sounded a lot like a non-apology. I’m not sure you’re very sorry at all.”Jonah laughed, a low breathy sound that tickled against her skin. He pulled back and pressed a kiss against her cheek.“I’m more than happy to get down on my knees and beg.”“Promises, promises.” Raye laughed as she grabbed his lapel and yanked him down for a kiss.Midnight was still a ways off, but it was definitely the start of a very good year.