Prompt: Brittany is so desperate to find a date by Friday that she convinces a random stranger (Santana) to pretend to be her girlfriend in one of her monthly family dinners. (She does not want to be the "single cousin" again). In the week that they have to practice being girlfriends, San starts to fall in love with her. But believes that Britt is only doing this as a deal so she does not say anything. (The ending is on you! Haha)

For the fourth time that day, Santana forces a smile on her face and politely declines another date for Friday night as she refills customers' coffee mugs. The flattery wore off along time ago, so now it's just really really annoying. If she didn't need the money so bad and if this diner wasn't the only place that worked well around her school hours, she'd be out of here. It's already bad enough no one can tell she's a flaming lesbian just from looking at her. It's times like these when she actually wished she smelled like a golf course.

"You sure? You seem like you know how to have a good time." The customer smirked, his eyes focused on her chest.

Santana wanted to roll her eyes at his comment, but months as the only attractive waitress in the joint trained her well, "I'm actually extremely boring. You'll probably have a better time with Betty." Santana gestured to the bar where a burly woman winked and licked her chapped lips. Santana bit back the laughter and nudged the customer as she whispered, "I hear she's single, I can give you her number if you-"

"No, no. That's alright." He stammered and forced his eyes on his plate, refusing to look up again, afraid of accidentally connecting eyes with the woman. Santana grinned and turned to check on another customer, mouthing a thanks to her coworker as she went. As the morning crowd of customers slowly shifted to lunch, Santana found herself rolling silverware in a booth near the bar. Despite being repetitive and tedious, Santana liked being able to hide for a bit; no one talked to her, she didn't have to talk to anyone, and best of all, no gross flirty men making passes at her.

She mostly kept her head down and focused on her task, looking up risked making eye contact with someone and once she was in her corner, she didn't want to talk to anyone. So when she caught sight of a leggy blonde walking in from the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but look up.

She wasn't alone, attractive females aren't ever in this town, but there was still hope when she saw the person she was with was another blonde chick. Similar to how guys constantly tried getting their flirt on with her because she was undeniably beautiful and that seemed out of place in a dump of a diner, Santana's eyes were drawn to the blondes because it was rare for anyone remotely cute to walk in.

When striking blue eyes found hers from across the diner, Santana froze. It was a brief moment, just a glance before the blonde looked to her friend then down to her menu, but for Santana it felt like an eternity. She'd probably have dreams about how blue those eyes were later, she was that mesmerized.

Surprisingly, Santana didn't pounce on the opportunity to wait on them. Instead, she watched them from afar; the long haired blonde looked sad as she stared down at the menu while the short haired blonde talked. In a way, it looked like the leggy blonde was being scolded judging by the pout but she didn't get to watch for long as Betty called her over to cover her smoke break.

For the next fifteen minutes, Santana brewed fresh coffee and made milkshakes. Contrary to popular belief, she didn't loathe every customer that walked in. She chatted easily with Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins who have, without fail, came into the diner every Thursday afternoon to share a chocolate shake. They were a sweet old couple who had been married for more than fifty years. Santana envied that they could put up with each other for so long, she couldn't even keep a date for the weekend. It was around her fourth time chatting with them when she accidentally told them that marrying a handsome boy wasn't really a thing for her, and although most geezers wanted to douse her in holy water for her sin, they were nothing but accepting. Mr. Jenkins even tried to hook her up with their granddaughter once but Mrs. Jenkins had to politely remind her husband that their granddaughter was straight as a ruler then told Santana she wouldn't want to date her because the girl is a hussy. Santana laughed and laughed and after that they became her favorite customers.

So when Phil came over trying to take over the bar and interrupt the only part of the day she enjoyed, Santana glared.

"Uh no, Betty asked me to cover for her because I make the best shakes so run off." Santana waved off but Phil was persistent.

"Table 14 is asking for you, okay?" Phil muttered, nodding towards the blondes' table.

"What for?" Santana frowned, but Phil just shrugged, "Well I can't leave the bar until Betty comes back."

"I'll cover for you." He said but Santana was quick to say no. The last time Phil manned the bar, the ice cream dispenser exploded and they had to comp the meals of everyone who sat at the bar. Their manager forbade him from working the bar ever again and all the employees still scowled at him every time he neared the bar, scarred by the memory of being ankle deep in vanilla ice cream.

So yeah, there was no way in hell Phil was going to cover for her. Phil frowned and sulked back to the table to tell the girls' the news. Santana tried to keep from seeing their reaction and instead focused back on her favorite customers. Whatever they wanted her for must not have been too important because neither of them made a move towards the bar to talk instead. Santana was curious though; two attractive girls walk into a dump and then ask for her, something had to be up.

When Betty returned, Santana said her goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and headed over to table 14. She smirked at the obvious look of nervousness on the Leggy Blonde's face as she neared and like always, gave Santana a much needed boost of confidence.

"Hey, you guys asked for me?" Santana asked, eyes flickering between the two. The Short Haired Blonde looked to the other expectantly but Legs only bit her lip and blushed. Santana was confused and grew a little grouchy, "Sometime today would be nice, I have work to do."

"Go ahead, Britt." The Short Haired Blonde urged the girl across from her, Britt, "Ask her."

"Ask me what?" Santana questioned, her heart speeding up a bit.

Britt just glared at her friend, or tried to, "You're embarrassing."

"I'm embarrassing? You're embarrassing!"

Santana just rolled her eyes at the two and turned, "I'm out of here."

"No, wait!" One shrieked and upon turning back around, Santana found it was Britt that stopped her.

"Yeah?" Santana asked tiredly. She was used to teenage boys playing this kind of game and she honestly didn't expect the same from females who looked the same age as her.

"I-uhm.." She stared nervously, looking to her friend then back at Santana, "Could you be my girlfriend for the week?"

Santana almost dropped the coffee pot she was wielding, "Excuse me?"

"I'll pay you!" She added then looked to her friend again, "Well, she'll pay you. I don't have mu-"

"Do I look like I can be fucking bought?" Santana snapped, grip tightening on the handle of the coffee pot. She couldn't believe this. She was used to sleazy men making passes at her, she was used to the unwanted leering, she was used to feeling crappy about herself, but not this. She couldn't be bought, no matter how worthless she felt, she wasn't a damn prostitute!

The girls were taken aback by her response, Britt even tried reaching out to touch her as she tried apologizing but Santana wasn't having it. With one last deadly glare, she stomped off. She didn't even notice the girls leave soon after and she didn't care.

They plagued her mind for the rest of her shift and even after she clocked out and made her way outside, she found herself imagining the girl with striking blue eyes standing before her.

But when real worlds left the girl's lips, Santana realized she wasn't imagining anything.

"Hi, I'm Brittany S. Pierce."

"So what? Are you gonna follow me home now after turning you down because if so, you're in for a rude awakening. I'm from Lima Heights and I'll cut you." Santana threatened as she brushed pass the girl.

"Oh no, please don't cut me." She frowned but followed after Santana, "I wanted to properly introduce myself and also apologize again. I-I didn't realize how rude I was earlier. I just- I saw you and I thought you were, are, really cute and Quinn had the idea of paying you. I really need a girlfriend by the end of the month so I'm kind of desperate."

Santana wanted to keep her scowl hard and her walls up, but she found herself slowly letting down her defense because the girl seemed genuinely sorry. Even more so, Santana was still curious. Her eyes trailed down the girl's body and noticed she wore the uniform of the local college's cheerleading team, "You're a pretty blonde cheerleader. You can't get a girl the old fashion way?"

The girl smiled shyly and looked to the ground, "I don't know anyone worth taking."

"Taking to what?"

"There's this family thing I have to go to every month and every single time I'm pointed out as the only cousin that's still single, it's annoying and I'm tired of it so Quinn suggested that I find some random person to bring along and you're the first person I've seen that would actually make a lot of my family jealous." Britt explained causing Santana to stop walking and turn to her.

"And why's that?" Santana wondered, arms crossing over her chest defensively. Britt didn't look intimidated at all, just shrugged her shoulders and replied honestly.

"Well, for starters you're gorgeous." Santana fought the blush that crept to her cheeks and rolled her eyes at the girl causing her to laugh, "What? You asked and it's not like you haven't been told that before."

She was right, she had been told that loads of times but for some reason this felt different. She actually liked the sound of the girl complimenting her. Still, she tried to buy her and that isn't easily forgiven.

"Whatever. You said I'm the first girl you've seen, that doesn't mean there aren't others out there willing to help you lie to your family." Santana huffed and turned to start walking away from her again, but the blonde's long legs made it easy to match strides, "You just haven't looked hard enough!"

"I know that, but I want you." She said, causing Santana's steps to falter as they stopped again. The blonde quickly moved in front of her, "Not like that, but I do. I think you'd be a perfect fake girlfriend." Santana stared at her intrigued and those crystal blue eyes made it so hard for her to walk away. Britt seemed like she knew that and continued to work her charm on Santana. "I promise it'll be painless; it's just dinner with my parents and my sister and my aunt and uncle and a few of my cousins. We always go to my grandparents' house for supper and it's nice, my grandma makes the best food ever so it's not like I'd be forcing you to eat gross stuff."

Santana pondered a moment, actually considering the girl's offer because something in her really wanted to help Britt out. She was cute, more than cute, so it wouldn't be such a bad thing to pretend to be her girlfriend for a week or day or whatever. She's done harder things in life and a little part of her thought that it might be something fun for a change.

"What's in it for me?" Santana asked sternly. Brittany was taken aback but the question, she really didn't think she'd get this far so she didn't have an answer ready.

"Uhh, I'll-I'll do whatever you want." Brittany replied, barely thinking of the repercussions of her statement but Santana didn't look like someone who'd take advantage of her answer.

"Really now?" Santana smirked thinking of endless amounts of homework and chores around her apartment she could easily bestow unto the girl, "Well..what the hell? You've got yourself a girlfriend."

Because they knew nothing about each other and really wanted this thing to be believable, they spent a whole two weeks prior to the dinner practicing. At first, it was easy stuff like walking each other to class whenever their schedule fit and holding hands. It had been a long time for both of the girls since dating anyone, but they fell into a routine easily. Soon they were using pet names and kissing each other's cheeks, never on the lips, and texting at all hours of the day. They became so good at their act that Santana often wondered what was real and what wasn't.

She wasn't supposed to get actual butterflies when Brittany would visit her at work or when she'd surprise her with lunch after a long day in class. She wasn't supposed to feel her heart beat harder when she'd tug her hand to her chest and kiss her knuckles. She wasn't supposed to smile like a complete idiot when she'd see her name pop up on her phone with a new text or call. She wasn't supposed to slowly fall for the girl, none of that was part of the plan.

Brittany made it easy for her too, so bubbly and kind and sweet and caring. It's no surprise Santana fell as hard and as fast as she did considering she hadn't met anyone nearly as wonderful as Brittany.

But as it neared the day of the dinner, Santana had to get her head straight. Everything was just an act and soon it would all be over and she'd never have to see Brittany again. She didn't know if she was just being stubborn or if she really didn't want to see Brittany again after everything was over.

Santana and Brittany rode together as Brittany drove to her grandparents' house, their fingers intertwined over the middle console. Everything was so second nature to them but the gesture made Santana wonder; no one was around but them so why did they have to hold hands? Not that she was complaining, but it was strange.

When they arrived, they were swarmed by Britt's family. Everyone complimented the new couple and Brittany wrapped her arm around Santana possessively and smiled proudly before they were gestured inside to get ready for supper. Brittany never drifted too far as her family members asked her how life was, always keeping her hand in Santana's or on the small of her back or resting on her knee or thigh or forearm. There was never a moment where Brittany wasn't touching her and Santana's skin sizzled under every touch.

Santana did her part and played nice with everyone, smiling politely and laughing at corny dad jokes, but like Brittany's hands always on her, Santana's never left the blonde's form either. It wasn't a verbal part of the plan, but they both seemed to quickly adapt to it.

It wasn't until Brittany's three year old nephew came tearing around the corner chasing after the family dog that Santana saw something spark in Brittany too. The little blonde ran right into Santana's legs and fell awkwardly on the floor and quickly began to cry.

Santana was never good with kids and often shied away from them but the boy looked so sad, Santana couldn't help up break Brittany's hold on her and kneel down to wipe the tears from his red face.

"You're okay, buddy." Santana smiled as she helped him stand again, "Nothing's broken right? We don't have to cut anything off, do we?"

"Uh-uh." He pouted and rubbed his eye with a chubby fist

"Oh good," Santana smiled and kissed his cheek, "You're so tough."

This time he smiled cutely then quickly dashed away with even redder cheeks and not from the crying. Santana smirked and stood back up only to find Brittany grinning.

Santana turned shy, "What?"

"Nothing, that was just really cute." Brittany chuckled and tugged on Santana's hand so they could pick a good seat at the table.

The rest of the day went quickly and Santana was surprisingly a little sad at the fact that it was all over. They managed to fool everyone and no one suspected a thing. The only problem was that Santana ended up falling way too deep in the act and found herself hopelessly in love with Brittany.

They walked to the car quietly, Santana already attempting to distance herself from the blonde by not reaching for her hand as they walked. Brittany, however, was still playing and reached for Santana's hand anyway despite the dinner being over and how there was no one around for them to fool once again.

"Thanks for everything, San." Brittany said once they were in the car. She smiled genuinely and Santana had to look away in fear of falling even more in love.

Santana just nodded and looked out the window as Brittany started the car.

"So did you decide what you want me to do for you yet?" Brittany asked, noticing the tension in the car, "You did your part so it's time I do mine."

Santana just shrugged, "You don't have to do anything for me."

"Santana..come on. That was the rules. I can't just let you go after you've done so much for me." Brittany's words struck something in Santana as she tore her eyes from the window and looked into deep blue eyes. Santana bit her lip, her mind moving a mile a minute. Brittany just huffed and reached over for both of Santana's hands and cradled them in hers, "I said I'd do anything for you, just name it."

Santana got lost in those eyes that bore so deeply into hers and before she could stop herself, she gave Brittany her most honest answer, the only thing she'd ever want Brittany to do for her, "I want you to love me back."

Brittany was slow to respond, making Santana nervous and instantly want to kick herself for being so stupid and thinking this act could turn into something more, but then lips were pressing so softly into hers and Brittany's warm hand tangled in her hair and griped the back of her neck, urging her close. They've each kissed tons of people in their lives, but nothing could compare to kissing each other. Everything felt so good and so right that by the time they had to pull away for air, Santana almost forgot what brought that on.

Brittany just smiled and slid her hand from Santana's hair to brush her thumb along Santana's jaw, "I love you back."

Santana was elated and though they still hadn't caught their breath, urged Brittany back to her lips and kissed her deeply.

She could feel Brittany hum, the feeling vibrating her lips, before Brittany pulled away slightly again, "So does that mean you'll come to next month's family dinner too?"

Santana just giggled and pressed her lips back into Brittany's, kissing her between words, "Mhm. And the month after that, and the month after that.."