Summary: When Elena's invited to a frenemey's wedding, she can't show up dateless and pathetic—even though she is dateless and pathetic. So, Elena hires a hottie to pose as her perfect fiancée. But when he needs her to return the favor, Elena starts wishing the fake relationship was real. Can they turn their lies into love? AU AH
Disclaimer: I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
I got this idea from a short story by Lisa Scott. I didn't read the story but was intrigued by just the summary so I am going from there. I know I still have two other stories, but at the moment they are both becoming kind of depressing for me, for personal reasons. But anyways I hope you all enjoy this one. Please review and let me know what you think!
I grumble in annoyance as I walk towards my house. It was another ridiculous night at the Mystic Grill. Sometimes I hate where my life seemed to end up. Here I am 25 years old, single, and with a dead end job. How did I get here? I was in college for Christ sakes! My future was promising and bright. Oh yeah that's right I fell in love. Stupid stupid me! I grab the mail before walking into my house.
"Honey I'm home!" I yell out to no one in particular. Well not really no one as I see my bubbly bright friend Caroline walk around the corner from the kitchen.
"Hey, 'Lena, I got dinner in the oven… frozen pizza if that's okay." She smiled at me. The one thing about me and Caroline is that neither of us can cook to save our lives. We almost came close to burning down the house on our few attempts at a home cooked meal.
"It's fine, Care, I'm going to go take a quick shower and then I will be down." She nodded and went back into the kitchen. I walk upstairs to my room and run my fingers through my hair. My thoughts wander to my college days when I was so in love, and then everything changed when I found him sleeping with another woman. It was unbelievable. I was so devastated I dropped out of college and returned to Mystic Falls, where I am now the head bartender at the local pub… the only pub in town. I absentmindly fumble through the mail until my fingers hit a glossy envelope. I glance down at the envelope that had my name written in elegant script. I open it up and am stunned at what I see.
Stefan Salvatore & Katherine Pierce
Invite you to share in their love and wedding vows on Saturday July 8th at Central Park in the beautiful city of New York.
I walk slowly down the stairs, not bothering with my shower, and turn the corner to the kitchen. Caroline was chatting away happily on the phone until she saw me. I stare numbly into space, a million thoughts careening in my head. Caroline abruptly hung up the phone.
"Elena, what's wrong?" Not answering her, she glances down at the invitation that I was still clutching in my hand and rips it from my grasp.
With an audible gasp, she looks up at me her gray eyes full of sympathy, "Oh my god that asshole, how could he do this?"
Suddenly an idea formed in my head. Why should I let this bother me? I should go to this wedding and show them that what they did to me in the past doesn't bother me one bit. Yeah, I can do this. I try to convince myself that I can face the man who broke my heart by sleeping with that bitch.
"Care I'm going to the wedding." I blurt out.
"No. No. No!" she glared at me disapprovingly, "You are nuts if you think you're going to this. 'Lena you shouldn't torture yourself over this."
"Who says anything about torture? The wedding is next month and it gives me plenty of time to fulfill the plan I got in this wacky brain of mine." I wink at her and grab the pizza out of the oven as the timer went off.
"Plan? What plan, Elena?" Caroline stomped her foot at me. Typical Caroline, taking everything to the next level.
"I will tell you soon, I promise." I slice the pizza with my back turned to her. Can I do this? Even though Stefan slept with that slut, he claimed he still wanted to be my friend. We were only together six months and I obviously took the relationship more seriously than I should of. Maybe I need to do this so I can finally move on.
"Ugh, 'Lena, I hope this is something that's not going to backfire in your face." She grumbled through a slice of pizza.
Me too, I thought. Me too.
The next morning I woke up, I went outside to grab the newspaper. Since Caroline was at work at her clothing boutique, which I was quite proud of her since she could design the most amazing clothing ever, I grabbed the personnel section. I decided if I was going to put my plan into action I better get moving since I only got a month till the wedding. My eyes travel to the dating section and I laugh at some of the ads.
Man seeking horny brunette to fulfill his needs.
Ugh, really? I giggle to myself that some men are so damn desperate. Alright on to the next one.
Man seeking quirky blonde with ambition and who knows how to have fun.
I circle that one. Not for me of course but for Caroline. She's always complaining about being single. I look at the next one and my eyes widen.
Need an escort? Need a date to an event and don't want to be the only single one there? Well you're in luck, write down this number and call today. For woman only who are seeking a male escort.
I hastily write down the number and grab my cell phone. I punch in the number and hit send before my overactive brain gives me second thoughts. I run my hand through my brown locks and bite my bottom lip in anticipation.
"Hello," a sultry voice answered.
"Hi, I – um, hi – yeah, I'm calling about the escort services," I say nervously. My nerves were starting to get the best of me, but damn did that man sound hot on the other line.
"Well what do you need sweetheart? Some sex? A date? Maybe just some sex?" The sultry voice chuckled.
"Trust me; I don't need to pay anyone for sex." I huff annoyingly into the phone.
"Well, then what do you need?" the voice drawled out.
"A date. I need a date to a wedding that's happening in a month in New York." I answer.
"Hmm, New York you say? I guess I can make room for you pretty thing. You are a pretty thing aren't you?" He chuckled softly to himself. I can almost imagine he was smirking. He seemed overly cocky, but I guess in his profession you would be.
"Wait a minute. You would be my date?" I ask with trepidation. Not so sure I want to go with someone so damn arrogant.
"Of course, beautiful, you did call me you know." He answered back.
"Are you from Mystic Falls?" I ask.
"Of course I am, why?"
"Then meet me at the Grill." Before he can say anything I added, "If you're going to be my date to an important event, I need to see what you look like at least." I bite my lower lip anticipating his answer.
"Fine be there at noon."
"Wait how will I know what you-" he hung up before I could even finish. How will I know what he looks like? Have I ever seen him there before? This is going to be interesting.
Before I walk into the Mystic Grill I check myself in the review mirror. Smokey eyes check. Curly hair bouncing around my shoulders, check. I glance down at my outfit and smirk. No guy could resist me in this. I was wearing a red halter top with a V-neck that showed just the right ample amount of cleavage, skinny jeans, and five inch red heels, so sexy outfit… check. Why I was going overboard was beyond me, but I really need a date and someone that wasn't going to back out on me.
I walk into the bar and wave at Matt who was currently tending the bar. He waves back and smiles. I walk up to him and ask him to make me an apple martini, which was my favorite drink. While he was making my drink, I wonder why I just don't ask him. Why go through all the trouble of paying someone to pretend to be your boyfriend or fiancée. Haven't decided which yet. But I knew why, I look at Matt's blond locks, I like my guy's dark. Besides Matt was just a co-worker. Nothing more. We were barely even friends in high school. He places my drink in front of me. I glance at the clock behind him, 11:58… he should be here soon. Whoever he is.
I spin around on my stool and glance around the bar. I am pretty sure that the old horny bastard that keeps leering at me is not him. There was a cute guy with a navy style haircut, but he was preoccupied with the blonde in front of him. I spin around facing the bar again. Lost in my thoughts it barely registers that someone sat down next to me.
"Gimme a bourbon, Matt." A husky voice said.
"Sure no problem, man." Matt went to pour him his drink.
I glance up at the man next to be and am rendered speechless. White milky skin that seemed to contrast with his raven locks that fell over his forehead in waves. And my oh my. Those piercing blue eyes that were staring right into my brown ones. I blush slightly as his gaze roams over my body, and he seems to nod approvingly to himself. I should be annoyed and totally turned off but I wasn't. I was absolutely fucking hypnotized by this man's eyes.
"So I take it you're the one in need of a date." He stated and smirked my way.
No. Fucking. Way.
Shit, if he's the guy I'm going to pay to be my date I am so screwed but the only thing that came out of my mouth was, "I'm Elena." I hold out my hand for him to take. He takes my hand in his and shakes gently. Sparks flowed up my arms at his touch and for a second I wondered if he noticed too. He releases my hand.
"I'm Damon."
Hmm what do you think is going to happen now? Let me know your thoughts! Big thanks to kayagirl99 for the beta! =)