Author's Note: I've added quotation marks to help indicate who is who. Also this story was inspired by the movie "Christmas in Boston" which airs tomorrow afternoon (Dec 16) on ABCFamily, check your local listings. If you haven't seen it, it's not necessary to follow this story as only certain plot elements are used.

'Eve' was laughing and Jacob thought that he'd really never heard a sound that lovely in his life. She'd suggested deep dish pizza for dinner and they'd had an amazing time over their meal. Such an amazing time that he'd only dwelled on how Flynn's date with 'Cassandra' was going once or twice.

Ugh, now it's in my mind. Flynn's probably making a mess of it, honestly. Talking a mile a minute about Egyptian hieroglyphics and totally ruining everything. But then again, isn't that you wanted? Cassandra to get turned off so you wouldn't have to be the one to break up with her?

"Flynn?" 'Eve' was talking and for a minute, he was wondering why on Earth she was calling him by his co-worker's name. "Hey? Earth to Flynn?"

Oh right, she thinks I'm Flynn. He was going to have to figure out how exactly to tell her what his real name was. Because he really wanted this girl to be looking him in the eyes and calling him Jacob. Damn it. Such a mess.

"Sorry, Eve, I was drifting. Kinda wondering how Stone was making out with your friend. He's a bit, uh, awkward. Probably why he had an online relationship in the first place. Though I kinda don't see why someone as confident as uh what was her name?"

"Cassandra."

"Right, Cassandra would need to online date."

'Eve' shrugged but he noticed she looked a little uncomfortable. Probably didn't want to be talking about her friend's love life. "She's a very busy person, probably easier for her. I guess."

"Sorry, that made you uncomfortable, none of your business right?"

She nodded, looking a little relieved. "Were you finished? I don't think I could eat another bite myself."

"I'm done. Let's get the check."

They'd taken her car from the museum to the restaurant, Flynn having taken the rental car. Jacob hoped that Flynn would be back in the morning to take him to work. And then shook his head, he wasn't even going to entertain that possibility. His 'Cassandra' wasn't that type of a girl. Not on a first date, even if they'd known each other a long time. But then the 'Cassandra' he'd met seemed nothing like the girl he knew online. He kinda felt a bit . . .swindled actually. He'd heard of girls pretending to be smarter and more beautiful than they actually were. But a beautiful girl like that pretending to be a shy studious one? A little weird.

But 'Eve' . . . he smiled over at her as she adjusted her scarf against the elements.

"I should let you go home," he sighed.

She nodded but she seemed as reluctant as he was. "Let me give you a ride back to your hotel. We'll see each other tomorrow right?"

"Yes and for a while, actually. We'll be here setting up until the week before Christmas."

"Of course, the exhibit opens on the 28th. So you'll be gone then or are you taking the first shift?"

"Well, I'm off for Christmas week, probably back home to visit the folks. But I'm actually taking the first two shifts, so I'm here for at least 12 weeks. Stone's crazy about this exhibit out in Boston that we also set up, so I offered to take two so he can go there. So he's gone by Christmas. And knowing him, I'll be here the whole 18."

"He'll be gone by Christmas," 'Eve's voice was sad for a moment and he looked at her strangely. Then she shook her head and looked at him. "Oh, I hope you're not in a hotel for that long!"

"Nope, we'll be out of the hotel by the end of the week. They'll put us up in an apartment. And then Jones and Stone will leave and I'll have it for myself."

"Well, that's good then," 'Eve' said, though she seemed oddly quiet as they came to her car.

But by the time they'd reached his hotel, she was back to her usual charming self. She pulled into the drive outside and they stopped and awkwardly looked at each other. Jacob leaned forward, looking into her eyes. For a moment he was tempted to kiss her, especially when she nervously licked her lips. But a honk from the car behind them and his conflicted feelings about 'Cassandra' caused him to move back.

"Good night Eve, see you tomorrow?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Tomorrow. Good night, Flynn."

Cassandra concentrated on the road on her drive home, trying very hard to get both 'Flynn' and 'Jacob' out of her mind, or at least until she got home. Her building wasn't far from the museum, so it was a short drive. Soon she was home, kicking off her shoes and collapsing on her sofa.

Her head was a turmoil of conflicting and confusing feelings. What a day! First she'd finally met the man of her dreams (or delusions) only to find out that she wasn't attracted to him at all and in fact found him a little bit annoying. Sweet and cute in his own way, but not as sweet and cute as his co-worker. And that made 'Flynn' a completely unexpected wrench in her plans. As was the way Eve and 'Jacob' had just clicked. Which was both a relief and an irritation at the same time.

She wondered how that date had gone. She'd gotten too caught up in her conversation with' Flynn' to look at her phone, but now as she checked there wasn't a single text from Eve.

"Seriously?"

She'd expected to hear something. If the date had gone horrible, she was sure Eve would have been yelling at her about it. And by now . . . well she supposed it was only 8pm. 'Jacob' would have taken Eve on a real date as opposed to just dinner like she and 'Flynn' had had.

Cassandra banged her head on the back of her sofa. She really didn't know what to do or how to feel. This . . .sucked. If anyone still used that expression. She'd fancied herself in love with 'Jacob' for so long but now . . . .

Now she felt a powerful attraction to 'Flynn Carsen' and not to 'Jacob Stone'. 'Jacob' had barely seemed to acknowledge her, having eyes only for the woman he thought she was. Whereas 'Flynn' . . .there had been something odd about when he'd first met Eve, but after that, his attention had been almost fully on her.

And that was new. Men didn't notice her, at least not when Eve was in the room. It wasn't Eve's fault, she didn't do it on purpose. Eve was a dear friend and didn't try to steal men away. It just happened. Her beauty but even more than that her confidence drew in people like flies. The men came for her beauty, they stayed because of her charm and confidence. And 'Jacob' was going to be just as attracted as anyone else.

And what was Cassandra to do? What could she do? Besides break up with him as soon as he left town and cry over what could have been into a pint of Ben and Jerry's.

She looked down at her phone. Still no text from Eve so finally she gave in and sent one herself.

About a half hour later, Eve finally replied.

He's absolutely wonderful. A little weird, but it's so cute on him. Kinda wish I could tell him who I am.

Cassandra glared at the phone. Just fantastic. Damn conflicted feelings. 'Jacob' was supposed to be having the wonderful time with her.

Glad you're having fun.

Hey, this is your mess. I'm just enjoying a handsome man's company on your behalf. And you went out to dinner with one yourself. How did that go?

Cassandra couldn't help grinning. Not bad.

Well then, maybe it'll work out well for both of us. A Christmas fling as it were. Hey, gotta go, Jacob's taking me ice skating.

It's a week night!

But her response went unanswered by Eve. Cassandra tossed her phone to the other side of the sofa.

A Christmas fling.

Yeah, right. Eve might do things like that, but Cassandra Cillian did not.

And despite her best efforts, Cassandra began to cry. This was all her fault. If she'd just corrected her mistake in the first place none of this would happen. She wouldn't have lost 'Jacob' to her friend. And she wouldn't be feeling so angry, heartbroken and empty. And she knew she'd lost him the minute she'd lied.

This was not what she did, she needed to fix this. She needed to tell them. But how?

In his hotel room, Jacob was having his own conflicts. He'd initially been irritated that he'd knocked on Flynn's door when he got back to find no answer. But when he got back to his own room, his thoughts kept dwelling on that last moment in the car, 'Eve's lips and her big blue eyes.

He growled at himself. Why did it feel like cheating on 'Cassandra'? Especially since, thanks to him, 'Cassandra' was currently cheating on him. And hell for all he really knew, 'Cassandra' had dated other people all this time. He certainly could have, had he chosen to. Not that he had, but certainly an online relationship wasn't binding.

And it hurt. He'd lost 'Cassandra' the moment he lied to her. He needed to face the consequences of his actions. This was not him. This was not what he did.

And he liked 'Eve'. Liked her a lot. Wouldn't mind spending the next few months getting to know her.

That is if she didn't react with disgust when she found out that he'd been playing this stupid game, lying to her about what his name was.

Shit. 'Eve' had been the one factor he hadn't counted on. He hadn't counted on liking her as much as he did. And on wanting to see more of her. He'd be here for months, it would be more than a fling and maybe if things went really well, they could work something out. With his job, he could be based anywhere between gigs. . . .

Jacob Stone. You haven't even told this girl your name. Stop it. This is 'Cassandra' all over again. Giving your heart away just like that. And this time it's a thousand times worse.

You need to tell her the truth and take what you deserve as punishment.

Not too long before midnight, Jacob decided that a mini bar raid would be his best bet in getting sleep that night. He was coming back from getting ice when he saw Flynn in the hallway about to open his door.

"Well, apparently my date went well," Jacob said, surprising himself with how bitter his tone sounded. Flynn turned around and Jacob noticed his tie had been hastily redone and there was lipstick on his collar.

Flynn blushed a bit, "you got yourself into this mess."

"Yeah and I see you're reaping the benefits."

"Yes, and how was your date with the charming Ms. Baird?"

Jacob froze and then tilted his head. "It went really well. Not as well as yours obviously did. She dropped me off, no kiss, it was just dinner. But . . . ."

"You really like her?"

"Yeah. And you really like Cassandra."

"Yeah."

They both sighed then looked at each other speaking at once.

"I have to tell them . . ."

"You can't tell them . . ."

"Wait, what?" Jacob asked. "I thought you were anti this whole deception!"

"I was. But look, Stone, Cassandra knows I'm leaving before Christmas. She told me she wants to live a little. All she wants is a fling."

"A fling? What is with this girl? She's totally . . . " Jacob shook his head. "Okay, so have a fling with her as Flynn Carsen. I'm kinda done with her."

"But don't you see? That's going to ruin everything, Stone! She'll be angry and it's Christmas. You'll ruin her holiday. Wasn't the whole point of this little charade to not ruin her holiday?"

Jacob sighed. "Yes."

"So let's stick to the plan old friend. I leave, you break up with her online."

"Yes, but I'm stuck here for months with Eve! I can't lie to her for months!"

"You should have thought that through. After I'm gone, tell her the truth. Won't ruin her holiday either."

Stone growled but Flynn had him. There was nothing he could do now. He'd set this plan in motion. And he couldn't ruin both women's holidays. He just couldn't. Especially 'Eve's, she seemed so into the season.

"Damnit."

"Lies my friend, lies. Let's learn from this. Good night, Jacob."

"Yeah, good night."