Disclaimers: Hello! This story is based on the movie, The Wedding Date. There are 5 chapters total. I have never been to Cape Cod or Princeton University, so if I get something wrong please let me know! Also, I don't condone dating current or former professors in real life but this is fiction so please bear with the suspension of belief for a moment.
Olivia carefully unwrapped the newspaper clad dishes, pulling the glass plates from the cardboard box. She placed the plates on the hardwood floor beside her, adding them to the pile of kitchen accessories.
She knew this job would be easier with friends, any number of whom would have gladly dropped whatever they were doing to assist her, but there was something to be said about doing it alone. Maybe it was a sort of closure. Or maybe it was to distract from the incessant, unwavering thoughts. Or maybe it was simply a way to waste more time rather than face the inevitable.
With a sigh, Olivia tossed the ball of newspaper high into the air, watching with disinterest as it quickly fell to the ground to join the ever growing pile on the smooth linoleum.
This is how it had been for the past hour. Unwrapping her belongings, half-heartedly chucking the newspaper, and then moving on to the next grey-wrapped bundle. Some turns were a bit more energetic, with a frustrated scream following an attempt at a fastball that never quite caught with the weightless paper. More often than not, though, it was just a numb expression. Never tears, just exhaustion.
That fucking cunt of a man, Olivia thought, angrily. No. Not even a man. A fucking worm.
With a shout, Olivia tossed the next ball of wadded newspaper, watching as it thudded off the nearby cabinet.
Last week, Jake Ballard had decided to call off their engagement. After seven years of being together, and eight months of planning a wedding, he had called it quits.
Olivia had been completely blindsided. Sure, they had their fights. But don't all couples have some rough patches? He was still her friend at the end of the day and they had some happy memories - more than bad. They had all the same friends, and aside from work, they did everything together. That's how it had been since freshman year when her father had introduced them and when she had turned around and introduced Jake's sister, Maggie, to her best friend, Harrison.
At the thought of Harrison and Maggie, Olivia let out a frustrated growl and nearly threw a newspaper before removing the wineglass contained within.
The couple wasn't the cause of her anger. Rather, it was the event surrounding the couple.
Harrison and Maggie were getting married next week. Naturally, the over-the-top couple and chosen a destination wedding. And, naturally, Jake and Olivia were set to be the Best Man and Maid of Honor.
Which, of course, hadn't been an issue when they were happily engaged themselves. But now, a week before the wedding, after Jake had dumped her and requested a new plus-one for the event, Olivia was sitting unhappily on the floor of her brand new apartment and feeling sorry for herself.
How could he move on so quickly? It had been seven years of their lives and he found a new date in under a week?
Olivia clenched her teeth, unwilling to acknowledge what that actually meant. That Jake had left her for someone else rather than the "it's not you, it's me" speech he had given her. Which, frankly, she knew was bullshit when she heard it. She just thought he would have a little more dignity and respect for their relationship.
And then that led to her current dilemma. When Harrison had informed her yesterday that Jake had requested a plus-one for the wedding, she had angrily requested one for herself, too.
Harrison had granted her request immediately, but she could see in his eyes what his true motive was: pity.
She hated pity. She pushed herself so hard because she didn't want anyone's sympathy. She didn't want anyone cutting corners for her because her dad was an egomaniac, or because she was a woman, or because she got dumped by her best friend right before her other best friend's wedding.
Olivia needed to find the perfect date for the wedding. One that people wouldn't think was just an attempt to get back at Jake. She needed a date that proved she had moved on from Jake as quickly as he had moved on from her. It needed to be believable on her part. She needed a date that didn't seem like a downgrade from Princeton's golden boy. And she needed a date that would get under Jake's skin.
So she needed a date that was smart, hot, and athletic.
And rich.
Any other guy would give Jake the peace he craved - that Olivia was no longer heartbroken by him and had happily moved on to a suitable candidate. He would be absolved of his guilt, if there was any, and would no longer feel like the bad guy.
But if her new was rich…
Jake held a personal vendetta against the rich, charismatic frat boys he was never accepted into in college. As someone who had been plagued his entire life with self-doubt, Jake secretly craved to live in that world.
Which Olivia knew and wanted to use to her advantage. Jake would be beside himself if she brought his opposite in every way to the wedding.
Olivia sighed as she tossed the next ball of newspaper and watched it bounce off her now sizable pile. Although it was the perfect plan, she still was missing a big part of the puzzle.
She had no idea who she could invite.
The obvious choice was one of the twins, Xander or Xavier, Harrison's twin brothers. Older than Olivia by two years, they fit every box. But Xander was happily engaged and Xavier had no interest in relationships after his last ended so badly. She needed a date who was single in order to pull this ploy off.
So where was she going to find a hot, single, athletic, rich boy in one week?
As she continued unwrapping her wineglasses, a bolded ad in the newspaper caught her attention. Scoffing, she unwrapped the glass to read the fine print of the last edition of her university paper that she had gotten: who still advertised in a newspaper?
CRISIS MANAGEMENT FOR THOSE IN CRISES!
Need a positive story? Need legal advice? Need a freelance, expert paper writer? Need an escort to a fancy dance?
Whatever you need, WE CAN AND DO PROVIDE!
Contact Resilient Solutions today and get a free consultation for your problem.
Discretion guaranteed.
The words plucked at a memory somewhere in Olivia's brain. Resilient Solutions? Isn't that the freelance company a handful of frat boys started her sophomore year and the university insisted they be overseen by one of the professors after a HUGE cheating scandal thanks to their freelance papers?
She scanned the ad again, feeling a curl of excitement start to build in her stomach.
"Need an escort to a fancy dance?" Olivia snorted. A wedding was definitely a fancy dance. And a dangerous event when paired with one's ex.
Before she was able to second guess herself, she had her phone in her hand and was quickly tapping away at an email to the email address that had been included with the ad.
Dear Resilient Solutions,
I would like to inquire about a freelance position for next week. The schedule would be from Wednesday to Sunday and would be located in Cape Cod.
I'm not sure the type of requests you usually get, but I hope mine is not too obscure. I need a date for a wedding. Long story short, I need to make my ex jealous and prevent the looks of pity that would be directed my way if I showed up alone. It can't just be a random man beside me - it needs to be believable. Although these are my true intentions, I don't want anyone to blatantly see this as a pathetic take at revenge. It may seem like too much to ask, but in order to properly get under his skin, I would very much appreciate it if the date you provided was hot, intelligent, and athletic. I will pay extra.
I appreciate your guaranteed discretion. If this business inquiry is of interest to you, please reply with the time and place where we could meet to discuss logistics.
Sincerely,
Olivia Pope
Two days later, Olivia entered a faux Irish pub. Relieved to see that it was practically empty, her eyes scanned the room nervously.
Am I making a huge mistake doing this?
She could at least be comforted with the knowledge that the freelancing company had suggested they meet in person to discuss the specifics, not immediately turning her away.
That must mean her request wasn't too unreasonable, right?
And the estimated cost was certainly not cheap, so she doubted that the firm would be the type to half-ass something. The reviews she'd heard around campus before graduating supported the notion, too.
She mentally shook herself, strengthening her resolve. She was Olivia Pope, dammit. She could listen to some frat boy freelancer's terms, agree to this farce, and save face in front of her ex, his entire family, and her friends.
I will not be made a fool by anyone, least of all Jake fucking Ballard.
Taking a deep breath, Olivia allowed her eyes to take in the room once again as she finally stepped further inside. Aside from the bartender, there weren't many people in the room. She had no clue who she was looking for, but the email had said that she could find the freelancer in one of the booths.
All but one booth was completely empty. It was the farthest away from the entryway - of course - and the occupant had his back toward the door. She took in what she could see of the man as she slowly approached, her nerves suddenly flaring back to life.
Curly, golden-brown hair brushed the collar of a light blue button-up. As she approached, she felt herself push down the bizarre impulse to slide her fingers through the man's hair. She felt a certain magnetism emanate from inside her, a niggling feeling that the man (or the man's hair at least) was familiar. Olivia felt her nostrils flare as she unconsciously took a deep breath, hoping to breathe in the mystery man's shampoo.
Her nose was not disappointed, and woodsy notes assaulted her senses in a way that wrapped her in the long-forgotten warmth of Christmas tree shopping with her dad. Before Rowan Pope had gone uncertified crazy. A heady aroma danced through the air - hints of cedar wood and pine and sandalwood.
Her eyes drifted south, where his hand was resting along the edge of the table. Long fingers played absentmindedly with the handle of a beer stein. He was using the condensation to glide the heavy glass back and forth. Olivia felt her mouth go dry as she watched him carefully twist his fingers along the glass and her nerves were suddenly joined with an entirely different sensation as she imagined him using the same, careful control on her.
She hadn't even seen the man, aside from a single hand and the back of his head, and already he was doing more for her libido than Jake ever had.
Taking one last breath for courage, the scent of pine lingering comfortably in her nostrils, she closed the distance between them and finally stepped into his line of sight.
"Hello. I'm —" Olivia cut off as abruptly as she began. Eyes widening in disbelief, she finally took in the man's face.
"Olivia Pope." Fitzgerald Grant gave her a polite nod. He bit back a smirk at her dumbfounded look of shook and pushed a fresh stein of beer across the table to her. "Care to join me?"
She side into the vacated booth across from him, eyes still trained on his face in surprise. When she finally came to her senses, feeling the wrong seat of the booth pressing gently into the back of her knees, she realized he had intentionally sat with his back to the door so he could experience her spluttering stupor up close. Jerk.
"Moonlighting as a frat boy freelancer now, Professor?" Olivia finally blurted out.
Fitz rolled his eyes. "I'm their assigned faculty guide. I've never worked with them, like this, before."
Although Olivia had seen her former Political Science professor a handful of times since completing his American Government courses early in her college career, she had never been this close to him and had certainly never interacted with him. She found herself hungrily mapping the contours of his face. She noted small differences - he seemed less tense than he had been her freshman year, the bags under his eyes were gone, there were a few greying hairs here and there - but it took her a moment to realize the biggest change. He was relaxed.
Olivia struggled to keep her wits about her. Her stomach seemed determined to do its best impression of a gymnast going after a gold medal. "And you agreed to this?"
Olivia immediately blushed, hearing the harsh way her words sounded.
Fitz raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry I only fulfilled two of your three requests, but the frat boys agreed that my status as a professor and former basketball player was more important than being hot."
Olivia's blush deepened as she recounted her thoughts from moments ago, before she had realized it was her former government professor sitting before her. She swallowed thickly as her mind betrayed her, calling up the sure and confident way he had commanded his classroom when she'd sat through his lectures.
"You're more than adequate," Olivia mumbled, trying to hide her blush by taking a sip of her drink.
"I'm grateful to meet all of your requirements, then," Fitz acknowledged, awkwardly.
"Who were the other candidates?" Olivia asked, quickly changing the subject. She took a sip of her beer. "I mean: who are the guys running the show now?"
Fitz raised an eyebrow. "I believe in your email that you said you appreciated the use of discretion? That goes both ways."
Olivia shrugged with a shy smile. "Sorry. Just curious."
"The only one I believe you would know, Olivia, is James. And he was the first choice had they been unable to convince me. Or had I not been bored enough to accept."
"James Novak?!" Olivia coughed, choking on her beer. "He was almost my date?"
"Yes." Fitz took a sip of his own drink. "He could fake the athleticism, if need be, and almost has the degree. In the end, they felt that with your friends knowing James as well as they do, if you showed up with him it may look like you were using him rather than a believable match with me."
Olivia's blush was full-blown as she took in the unsaid meaning of Fitz's words. People will believe we are in a real relationship.
"I guess that makes sense," Olivia conceded, keeping her eyes trained to the table. "And my friends aren't going to question me choosing someone who is at least intelligent."
"Then God knows how you ended up with Jake Ballard." Fitz rolled his eyes. "He isn't even the smartest Ballard."
Olivia laughed, surprised at Fitz's frankness. "I know. I've had a lot better conversations with Maggie."
"Don't tell him I said so, but Jamison has his own merits as well," Fitz stated, referencing Jake and Maggie's older brother and one of his colleagues. "Some of the papers he's written have been truly impressive."
"Your secret's safe with me," Olivia said. "His ego's already through the roof."
"I'm assuming the entire Ballard clan will be in attendance this weekend?" Fitz asked.
"Yes," Olivia nodded. "Along with my family, Harrison's family, and a few friends from Princeton." She paused for a moment, smiling. "Kind of ironic that you turned down Harrison's invitation only to end up attending with me, isn't it?"
Fitz sighed after taking a long sip of his beer. "It's hard to resist when money and petty revenge are involved."
Olivia laughed. "Fair enough. And I truly want to make Jake suffer."
"Let's discuss the specifics," Fitz began. "How far are you willing to go to make him jealous?"
"I'll do anything," Olivia answered immediately.
Fitz ignored the flutter of intrigue that curled within him.
"People we need to believe that we are in love. And insatiable."
Olivia took a large gulp of her drink. "I agree."
"I was in politics for ten years before I started teaching, so I am more than willing to play the part," Fitz said. "This will be a breeze compared to the donors and media I had to deal with, but will you be able to act head-over-heels toward your former professor?"
"I was able to pretend to like football and every other dumb thing Jake enjoyed for the last seven years," Olivia grunted, rolling her eyes. "I think I'll manage."
After a moment or two of silent, mutual appraisal Olivia began speaking again.
"I feel like you're less comfortable with touch than I am." She slowly reached her hand across the table in Fitz's direction, memories of her freshman year when she'd seen him with some tall brunette outside of their classroom, flinching and dodging her touch at every moment, flashed through her mind. She began to lightly outline shapes on the back of his hand, gauging his reaction. "We need to be comfortable with each other."
"That won't be a problem," Fitz responded, casually turning his hand over so he could grasp Olivia's fingers. "I'm perfectly fine with touch as long as there is a reason behind it."
"Like annoying Jake?"
"Or seducing you," Fitz drawled, his voice lowering. "Ballard won't be jealous unless you seem completely taken by me." He began rubbing his fingers gently against Olivia's, watching goosebumps erupt down her arms.
"Let's talk terms," Olivia said quickly. She shakily withdrew her hand from Fitz's and slipped it under the table, clearing her throat to gather her thoughts. "As I mentioned in my email, the weekend will be from Wednesday to Sunday in Cape Cod. I'm the maid of honor so I'll be roped into every activity and prep and I expect you to join and act like the dutiful boyfriend that can't get enough of me."
"I assumed as much," Fitz said. "What is this plethora of events that is to occur?"
"The entire weekend is on Harrison's dad's estate. Wednesday we will have welcome drinks at a cocktail party. Next morning is some haphazard football game in a nearby park. Then we have bachelor and bachelorette nights in the evening. Dance lessons will be held the following day, then rehearsal in the afternoon and dinner. Saturday morning I'll be in hair and makeup as soon as I wake up, so you'll have to fend for yourself for a few hours, and then an afternoon wedding followed by the reception. Sunday morning brunch and then we all leave for home."
"Jesus," Fitz swore. "Anything else?"
"Oh. I think we might go to the beach after football."
"One, I will not be going to the beach," Fitz started. "Two, I will not be attending Harrison's bachelor party. You will not be there, so there is no point for me to attend."
Olivia began to protest, but Fitz held up a hand.
"And three, I will not be attending dance lessons since I do not need them."
"How about you agree to go to the beach, but you stay in your normal clothes and just pretend to lust over me in a bikini?" Olivia countered.
"You mean leer at you like a lecherous old man?"
"You're not a lecherous old man if you're my date." Olivia rolled her eyes. "And Jake will definitely be there so I feel like we would lose a lot of ground if he was rolling around in the sand with some hot bimbo and I was all alone."
"I am not going to roll in the sand."
"I wouldn't expect you to," Olivia promised. "Just don't let me go alone."
"Fine. And my other two stipulations?"
"I can't force you to go to the bachelor party, but I would really appreciate if you did."
"Noted," Fitz nodded. "And the dance lessons?"
"You may not need dance lessons, but I definitely do." Olivia blushed. "I basically have two left feet and I don't want to embarrass myself."
Fitz considered this for a moment. "Will Jake be attending the dance lessons?"
"Yes," Olivia said glumly. "Initially it was only going to be the four of us - Harrison, Maggie, Jake, and me - but he's already asked if he can bring his date now instead. I'd rather not be the fifth wheel."
"Fine," Fitz agreed. "I will attend. I have some ideas that might get under his skin."
Olivia beamed back at him. "Brilliant! Should we discuss the payment?"
"$6,000."
"What?" Olivia's eyes grew larger. "Your initial response estimated it would be closer to $4,500! I can't afford another $1,500."
Fitz shrugged. "I believe collateral is acceptable if you dollars aren't suitable."
"I'm not having sex with you for money!" Olivia squealed, looking around the bar to see if anyone had overheard her. "That's fucked up!"
"I didn't mean to imply that paying me with sex would be suitable. Sex would be an additional fee, not payment."
Olivia's jaw snapped shut with an addible clack. She felt her cheeks grow pink at the idea of not only sleeping with her former professor, but actually paying him for sex.
Fitz rolled his eyes. "Do you have anything else you'd like to offer?"
Olivia took a deep breath, willing her heartbeat to slow its rapid pace so she could concentrate. She racked her brain for ideas. She hated to ask, but…she could always make up something and get the money from her dad.
"$6,000 is fine."
Fitz looked almost disappointed for a minute before continuing: "Let's discuss what else is required of me. If we are going to commit to this act, it has to be believable. Besides, Jake, is there anyone else that might protest us being a couple?"
"I'm sure Gemma, but that's all," Olivia shrugged, mentioning Maggie and Jake's mother. "No one else is going to care."
"What about Harrison?" Fitz questioned, that boy had been in every single one of his courses that were offered and had, without Fitz's consent, placed the professor in a pseudo-father role that he'd never asked for or wanted. "I'm sure your best friend would disapprove of you hooking up with your former professor."
"He'll just be happy to see me on the rebound so soon," Olivia shrugged. "And he knows that I had a crush on you after my first class." Olivia's eyes widened as her brain finally caught up with her mouth.
Fitz couldn't help the mischievous smile that spread across his face. "Did you now?"
Olivia blushed again, changing topic. "I'm worried that Jake won't think it's believable. I mean, he thinks I'm too much of a prude to go fucking another guy so soon out of a relationship."
"Are you a prude?"
"What?" Olivia spluttered. "No! I mean, well, Jake definitely thinks so. But that's only because he pigeon-holed me into the housewife category and doesn't think I can be anything but that."
"Who cares what he thinks?" Fitz rolled his eyes. "I know the whole point of this is to make him jealous, but you need to stop thinking of yourself in terms of how he sees you. Use that instead to become the woman you want to be, or rather the one he would never expect of you."
Olivia took a moment to consider his words, realizing there was more merit to them than she might have expected. "What do you suggest I do?"
Fitz sipped his drink as he thought. "If he thinks of you as matronly and prudish, let's prove to him that you're not. You could easily dress the part."
"By wearing tight clothes?"
"Among other things. Low-cut dresses, high heels. Lingerie." Fitz noticed Olivia's cheeks grow darker with that suggestion. "Jake is a very simple man and I think it would drive him crazy knowing that you were dressing for another man in a way you never dressed for him."
"That's not necessarily true," Olivia's voice grew quiet. She began tracing her finger nervously along the lip of her glass. "I tried."
Fitz raised an eyebrow, waiting for Olivia to continue. "Meaning?"
"Lingerie," Olivia said into her glass. "Among other things. He always just laughed and said he couldn't take me seriously. Said that I looked ridiculous."
Fitz's hands tightened on his glass. How could she reduce her self worth to the opinions of that man? And, most importantly, why did it bother him so much?
"Lucky for us, i happen to take everything seriously," Fitz said solemnly, his eyes shining playfully in an attempt to draw her out of her doubt.
"Fine, fine." Olivia held up her hands in a truce, a small smile gracing her feature. "So I'll see you Wednesday? My dad's already paid for a driver. We can leave from my apartment."
Fitz nodded, a tingling curiosity shooting through at the thought of seeing how Olivia lived. He pushed the notion down with embarrassment. Rather that than acknowledge there could be more to his interest when it came to Olivia Pope.
"One final question," Fitz started, even though his mind was screaming for him not to. "If this were a traditional courtship, what would someone need to do in order to win you over?"
Olivia blushed. "Is that relevant?"
"Just to make our backstory believable," Fitz explained, ignoring the swirl of excitement in his stomach.
Olivia coughed nervously, fiddling with the stem of her glass. "I don't know…the usual, I guess. Flowers. Books. Fuller. Dancing. I'm not difficult."
Fitz raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his mouth. "So you're easy, then?"
Olivia rolled her eyes. "I just mean that any man with at least two brain cells could figure it out."
After sharing her address, and Fitz tossing a few crumped twenties on the table, they both parted ways. Despite their professional departure, they were unwilling to admit to themselves that the short interaction would play on their minds in a constant loop over the following three days.
Fuck, Olivia swore under her breath, hearing a knock at the front door. Of course he would be precisely on time. "Just a minute!"
She heard a grunt behind the closed door, no doubt from her former professor. She sprinted across her flat, flinging open the door unceremoniously, and took off in the opposite direction.
"Make yourself at home!" Olivia called over her shoulder, already disappearing back into her bedroom. "I'm almost done packing."
"This may come as a shock to you," Fitz drawled, eyeing the stacks of books crammed into a sagging bookshelf. "But most drivers don't wait for anyone, even if your daddy is paying them."
"They'll just charge my dad more. He'll survive." Olivia snorted, her voice somewhat muffled from the other room.
Fitz was saved from a response by the appearance of the woman herself. She emerged from the doorway of her bedroom, rolling a large suitcase, her high heels clicking loudly on the wooden floor. She was too preoccupied with her actions to notice Fitz's expression of shock.
The woman before him was not the same woman he had been expecting from the bar. What had then appeared to be an insecure, albeit bossy, former student looking to get revenge on her brainless ex had suddenly transformed in a matter of days.
She had clearly taken his words to hear as she was now dressed in a sinfully tight red dress, the fabric draped across her body like a second skin. His eyelids felt heavy as he dragged his gaze down her body, taking in the low-cut bodice and the swells of her breasts peeking out above the neckline. The fabric cinched tastefully at her waist, accentuating the curve of her hips and cutting off at her upper thigh. He felt his throat go tight as she turned around, the fabric equally tight along her ass, and stretched to highlight the two round globules of her toned butt.
His gaze shot respectfully upward as she turned around once more. She gave him a nervous smile and he used the opportunity to take in her face rather than further ogling her body.
Her hair hung in sleek chestnut waves, cutting off just above her elbows. The curated effect gave her an elegant look without the air of trying too hard. Her normally demure eyes were bright with energy, highlighted with a dusting of mascara that seemed to bacon Fitz like a siren's song. He licked his lips subconsciously as his eyes dropped to her mouth, taking in the deep red coloring.
Was her lipstick smudge proof? The question flitted through Fitz's mind unexpectedly. A slew of follow-up questions sped through his mind before he could stop them. Would it leave a trace on her glass when she took a drink? Would it stain his lips if he kissed her? And, more surprisingly - would it smudge if he shoved his cock between her perfectly placed pout?
Fitz swallowed thickly.
"Ready?" Olivia asked. She glanced at the clock on the stove. "The driver should be here any second."
Fitz nodded sharply, forcing his feet to work and taking the suitcase from her hands. Readjusting the strap of the bag tossed across his bag, he led them out of her apartment and into the elevator down the hall.
"Do I look okay?"
Fitz's brows rose to his hairline and he slowly turned his attention away from the keypad of the elevator and to his client. With her invitation, he allowed his eyes to fall down to her décolletage, unabashedly staring. He let his inspection drop further, memorizing the curve of her hips.
After a few tense moments, he dragged his gaze back to her beautifully blushing face.
He lifted a brow, settling comfortably into her blushing stare. "False modesty is unbecoming."
Olivia's cheeks darkened further, knowing that this was as close to a compliment as she was going to get.
"Olivia," Fitz said. "The elevator."
With a surprised yelp, Olivia stumbled out of the elevator, her heel catching. She shot her hand out, grabbing Fitz's wrist as he guided her suitcase over the slight bump.
It wasn't until the car that she realized that she never let go.
Olivia wobbled in her heels as she exited the rented car some six hours later, losing her balance on the pavement. Fitz was quick to throw an arm out as he exited the car and she gripped his wrist, tightening as she fought to keep her balance. Fitz tried to ignore the thundering in his pulse as he squeezed her hips, stopping her from swaying.
"Thanks," Olivia's blush deepened, taking a cautious step away from the man. She felt a strange shiver as his hands dropped from her.
He gave a brief nod before turning to instruct the driver on their luggage. Olivia turned toward the house as he spoke. The old home spread out before her, built in warm brick and with ivy winding up the sides. Laughter could be heard around the back of the house, filtering through a tiny archway in the surrounding hedges.
She took a moment to straighten her dress, giving Fitz a subtle once-over from beneath her lashes as he ended his conversation. Too preoccupied with how she fit in her dress - if this overpriced piece of fabric could even quality as such - Olivia had failed to actually look at Fitz properly until now.
He was wearing a smart, tailored black suit, the color sharply contrasting with the bright blue sky and puffy white clouds behind him. From the fit of his suit, Olivia would reckon it was tailored for him and she couldn't' help but drop her eyes to his butt as he brushed a minuscule piece of lint off his shoulder. Her eyes dragged slowly down his form, taking in his long, muscular legs, and she felt a flutter in her stomach as she imagined how they would feel wrapped around her.
Her gaze shifted north, eyeing his exposed neck. His tie was loosely done, and the top button of his shirt was open. It was relaxed but still formal and he gave an air of casual confidence. Olivia swallowed thickly, suddenly wondering hoe he would respond if she nuzzled her nose along the uncovered skin.
A slight breeze ruffled his curls and they fluttered around his eyes, drawing her attention to his face and jawline. Olivia had a sudden flashback to the cover of a romance novel her dorm mates used to lay around their room, with a nearly naked man holding a swooning woman in his arms, his hair bristling in the soft breeze.
With a flick of his chin, Fitz shook his hair out of his eyes and combed his fingers through the curly mess. His eyes squinted in a subtle smirk, glancing in Olivia's direction with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you satisfied, Olivia?"
Her cheeks flamed with heat, embarrassed to have been caught staring. Rather than acknowledge her ogling, she changed the subject.
"You should call me Livvie…or darling…or some pet name," she blurted out. "If we want people to believe that we are…you know…" she drifted off, her hands waving awkwardly in front of her.
"Fucking?" Fitz finished, raising an amused eyebrow.
"I was going to say in love," Olivia grumbled.
Fitz rolled his eyes before starting to walk toward the noise at the back of the house.
"Wait," Olivia said sharply, her hand reaching up to grab Fitz's sleeve and still his movement.
He turned to look at her, an eyebrow raising in question. "Judging from the noise, we are already late. Any longer and I'll miss out on the drink I was promised."
"I can't do this," Olivia shook her head, wringing her hands anxiously. "I can't go in there."
"Yes you can," Fitz said calmly. "You put one foot in front of the other - a trial in those shoes, I'm sure, but that can't be avoided now - and you walk right up to the bar and order two shots of tequila so we can get drunk and rub it in Jake's face."
"I can't see Jake again," Olivia whined. "He'll be there with her, whoever she is, and she's probably fucking gorgeous and gives him all the blowjobs he wants and will be the perfect little housewife for him and he doesn't even care that I —"
"Jesus, Olivia," Fitz cut in. "Slow down."
He glanced around the empty front walk, pulling her a few steps out of the path and around the far edge of the house. A large boat was parked on a trailer in the driveway, blocking them from prying eyes.
"This is ridiculous," Olivia said, her breath quickening as she began to spiral. "No one will believe we are together. They'll think I hired you or blackmailed you or begged you to come here with me —"
"When have I ever been swayed by a little begging?"
"—and they'll think I'm pathetic and that I'm just a desperate, pathetic spinster whore that —"
"Okay, first of all you can't be a spinster and a whore —"
"is just pining over her first real love and —"
"I would hardly call your feelings toward Jake as love —"
"—wasn't even brave enough to go dateless to her best friend's wedding."
Olivia's ramblings stopped as she took in a long breath, gasping for air.
Fitz crossed his arms. "Are you done?"
"I'm nervous."
"Clearly."
Olivia sighed.
Taking in Olivia's defeated expression, it was clear that this plan of theirs, this ruse wasn't going to come naturally.
Her bravado was failing her.
Fitz's thoughts spun in his head, trying to come up with a way to turn this situation around. He needed to dig into whatever triggered her courage.
Her self-doubt and insecurity were like a wet blanket, smothering her flames of courage. She needed to act on her emotions. Tap into her passion. Fuel her adrenaline. Feel confident in herself.
Fitz swallowed thickly, realizing with sudden clarity what she needed, and the quickest way to do it.
She needed to be aroused.
He cleared his throat, focusing on her - his client - rather than the tendril of anticipation that shot through him.
"We're already late, so why don't we let people speculate about the reason?"
Olivia looked confused. "Let them think I was more nervous than I'm sure the bride to be is right now?"
"No," Fitz stepped closer to her, entering her space. "I was thinking more like we make it seem as if we just fucked."
Olivia's eyes widened. Her feet acted on their own, taking a step back from Fitz. "And just how do you plan to achieve that?" The tone of her voice was high, pitching slightly at the end. "Grind against me like some teenager?"
Fitz laughed, his eyes narrowing. "Olivia, you'll find that I have a lot more experience than some teenaged boy. Any actions on my end will not be as baseless as grinding."
Olivia swallowed thickly, stepping back again as Fitz kept inching closer. All of her times with Jake had been with his belief that enthusiasm was the same as skill. There were too many nights when he simply sped through the motions, thinking that his need to press into her as fast as possible would correlate to her arousal.
Eyeing the man before her, she knew that he would be much more attentive than Jake. She could recognize a predator on the prowl when she saw one and Fitz's entire countenance was a man with a single goal in mind. Her.
Her back hit the side of the house. Despite being literally and figuratively backed into a corner, she let indignation seep into her voice. "And you think your actions would help?"
"You're nervous about this being believable and that everyone will think you're faking," Fitz explained. He reached an arm out beside her and leaned against the house, effectively caging her in. "No one will question it if you arrive with swollen lips and messy hair."
"And couldn't the same effect be achieved if I just ran my fingers through my own hair?" Olivia asked, her voice catching slightly as Fitz closed the distance between them.
"I seem to distinctly remember an impertinent student that was always determined to ace every exam I gave," Fitz said, his fingers snaking around her waist. "Are you telling me you've lowered your standards to simply passing now?" He tightened his hold on her, biting back a smirk at her sudden intake of breath.
Olivia's eyes flashed in annoyance. "Hardly."
She tried to maintain an annoyed expression as Fitz's hands drifted more, skirting over the thin fabric of her dress and up her spine. He pulled her slowly against him, giving her time to refuse, and Olivia was almost positive that he could feel her heart practically pounding through her chest.
Was that nerves? Fear? Excitement?
"What if someone sees us?" Olivia asked, intentionally dragging her eyes away from Fitz's face to glance over his shoulder. They were mostly hidden, pressed between the side of the house and the shadow of the parked boat, but it was not nearly private enough for Olivia's liking.
"That's kind of the point, isn't it?" Fitz smirked, the very picture of seductive sin. He lowered his face and dragged his nose along her cheek. He felt her shiver beneath him. "They're going to talk anyway, so might as well give them something to talk about."
Olivia's eyes fluttered closed, glad that Fitz could no longer see her expression as he moved his face toward her neck. She could feel his breath against her skin. "And what do you suggest we do?"
"I'm sure you're familiar with Seven Minutes in Heaven?" Fitz asked, his voice a whisper against her ear.
Olivia shivered, clearing her throat before responding. "I'm familiar with the basics, yes. Didn't take you for the type to go for a quick makeout session, though."
Fitz rolled his eyes, his hands tightening on her hips. "Watch your tone. We could get the same effect with you on your knees, if you'd prefer. Messy hair and lips and all that."
Olivia's jaw dropped, her eyes widening. She pushed his head back so she could scowl in his face. Despite her look of indignation, Fitz could see her pupils dilate slightly. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"To put an end to your ceaseless nagging so we can get on with this fucking party?" Fitz asked, his tone dry and without remorse. "Yes, yes I would."
Olivia huffed. "Just kiss me, Grant."
"Quite the invitation. Is this how you wooed Ballard?"
"This was your idea!"
"And I don't make it a habit of kissing unwilling women."
"You're impossible!" Olivia growled. "I am willing!"
And as if to prove her point, she tugged sharply on the lapels of his jacket right as she tiled her head forward. Fitz barely had time to process what was happening before he felt the firm insistence of Olivia's lips against his own.
Not one to be outdone, Fitz immediately depended the kiss, leaning his head to the side to get a better angle.
Her hands slid toward the back of his neck, eagerly pulling him down by his hair to get closer to him. She nipped lightly at his mouth.
Fitz growled at Olivia's actions, feeling the tentative swirl of her tongue against his own. His hands shifted lower to the hem of her dress. He played lightly with the exposed skin there, noticing how Olivia's breath hitched when he smoothed along the back of her thighs. She teetered dangerously on her heels and Fitz pushed her further against the house to hold her steady. His hands gripped her legs tightly, most likely leaving finger-shaped bruises.
Partially hidden by the boat parked in the driveway, Olivia felt the rest of the world slip away. All she was aware of was Fitz's hands and mouth and lips and the way he kissed down her neck. Her mind reeled as she get his tongue lathe gently at the skin of her pulse point. An involuntary moan slipped past her lips as he sucked sharply, drawing the blood to the surface of her skin and leaving a tiny bruise.
Hearing her moan sent Fitz into a spiral.
He no longer cared if she felt his reaction to her and snapped his hips forward to grind into her. He was rewarded with another throaty moan and her head slumped back toward the house with a soft thud.
While his mouth was busy, his hands kept wandering, brushing over her legs and toying with the hem of her dress. Olivia's mouth went dry as she felt him inch the fabric higher, his meticulous hands drawing circles on the smooth back of her thighs.
She didn't even notice when one of his hands suddenly shot out to the side, easily deflecting a small rock.
Olivia heard somebody nearby gasp before a male voice groaned out loud: "Oh, God."
Lowering the leg that had been wrapped around Fitz - how did that happen? - Olivia peered down the path, looking at the shell-shocked faces of Stephen Finch and Quinn Perkins.
"God, Olivia, I am so sorry!" Stephen stuttered, eyes darting frantically between his friend and the professor. "I didn't - I couldn't see who you were with, and I was worried you needed help, and I —"
"I feel sorry for Miss Perkins if you can't recognize the face of a woman in pleasure," Fitz said. He began re-tucking his shirt, where Olivia's hands had apparently been wandering and yanked it out.
Olivia blushed at his words, quickly reaching down to smooth out the bunched parts of her dress. She knew her face must be bright. To be fair, none of her friends had ever seen her give more than a peck to Jake throughout their entire relationship.
"Come on, Stephen," Quinn said softly, grabbing the arm of her bemused boyfriend. "Clearly Olivia isn't in danger. She looked like she was enjoying herself. Let's go get another drink. See you later!" She smiled with a wave, dragging Stephen back down the path into the party.
"That went well," Olivia said sarcastically, trying to smooth her hair.
Fitz's hands shot out to grab her wrists, giving her a scolding look. "Don't fix your hair or have you forgotten the reason for this little makeout session?"
Olivia blinked. She had forgotten that the reason they were kissing was to put on a show.
Fitz gave her a curious look as he offered his arm. "Ready dear?"
Olivia grimaced as she latched onto his proffered arm, trying not to remember how he felt wrapped around her. "Bleh. You sound like my grandmother when you call me dear."
"How about honey pie then?" Fitz asked, guiding her down the path toward the party. A smile danced around his lips. "Or snookums"?
Olivia mimed gagging. "Might as well shoot me now so we can skip the party."
"Poppet? Baby?"
"Stop," Olivia smacked his arm. "Or I have half a mind to call you Fitzy-poo."
Fitz shot her a warning glare, his eyes squinting dangerously. "You wouldn't dare."
"There's not a lot I wouldn't do," Olivia challenged, her eyes flaring in defiance.
"So it seems," Fitz responded, shooting another curious glance in her direction. He coughed slightly as he remembered the way she had moaned in his ear. They had just reached the hedged archway on the perimeter of the courtyard.
All chatter died around them as they crossed the threshold, keenly aware that everyone at the party had turned to stare at them.
Fitz felt Olivia squeeze his arm nervously, her feet suddenly stuttering to a halt.
"Livvie!" Maggie called from the far side of the courtyard, breaking the silence. "Over here!"
Maggie's signal seemed to kick the party back to life and everyone around them began murmuring hurriedly. They all pretended not to be looking as Olivia and Fitz wove their way through the crowd.
"Usually the bride gets the biggest entrance," Maggie teased as Olivia and Fitz approached their table. She pulled the other woman in for a hug before giving the older man a smirk. "But then again, we all know you have the flair for the dramatics. Professor."
"Hello, Margaret. Harrison," Fitz greeted, giving a nod toward the couple. "And please, call me Fitz. I haven't been your professor in over a year."
"Fair enough," Maggie relented. "Although I wouldn't want you to forget all the trouble I put you through."
Fitz grimaced slightly. "Hard to forget that, unfortunately."
Maggie laughed, reaching around her fiance to take Olivia's hand. "Maybe it's best if the ladies go freshen up inside for a few minutes. Your hair is a mess."
Olivia blushed as Maggie pulled her away, glancing at Fitz as she remembered why her hair was in such a state.
After the women left, Harrison fidgeted nervously before rounding the table and offering his hand to the older man. "It's an honor to have you here."
Fitz shook his hand. "Congratulations, Harrison."
"Thank you," Harrison said earnestly, depositing his empty mug on the table. He snagged two fresh glasses of beer from a passing waiter, holding one out to Fitz.
Fitz accepted the glass with a nod. "Are you about to ask me about my intentions toward your friend?"
"No, no, of course not," Harrison laughed in disbelief. "I know you're an honorable man."
At this, Fitz rolled his eyes. "I'm not even going to address that considering you were there when I told you to fuck off with trying to turn me into your father."
"That wasn't fair of me to do just because you were the first person to take that mentor role," Harrison shrugged. "Stop trying to pin yourself as the bad guy."
Fitz took a moment to consider Harrison's words, taking in the chaos around him. Several former students, Princeton was a small campus after all, were talking animatedly, laughing loudly between sips of alcohol. A few fellow faculty members and their significant others were interspersed throughout the yard.
"It's certainly something," Fitz finally responded, eyeing a woman whose martini glass was held precariously between two fingers, unknowingly sloshing the liquid everywhere.
"Yeah it's quite the bunch," Harrison laughed, picking up on Fitz's discomfort. "I'm just glad you were able to make it to the wedding this weekend. We're all glad you're here."
"You're not surprised I'm here with Olivia?"
"Nah," Harrison laughed. "It sort of makes sense. Who else would match her intelligence? Not to mention she's had a crush on you since Government 101."
"So I've heard." Fitz took a sip of his beer, unsure how to respond.
"Oh, she told you about that then?" Harrison asked, with a surprised smile. "No wonder the two of you are getting on so well."
"Are you implying that I sought Olivia out because of some freshman crush?"
"No, no! I just meant, er," Harrison stuttered. "Olivia's always been drawn to the whole smart, powerful, confident thing. You kind of embody all that."
Fitz took another sip of his drink as he considered Harrison's words. "Are you sure you're not the one with the crush, Harrison?"
Harrison's cheeks burned red. "No — I mean — yes, I'm sure!" He scratched at the back of his head. "I just mean that I know Olivia well."
"Did the two of you ever —?" Fitz couldn't help himself from asking.
"Me and Olivia?" Harrison spluttered. "God, no. She's like a sister to me."
They both watched as Olivia entered the other side of the yard, talking happily with Maggie. She threw her head back with a laugh at something the blonde said, just as she glanced in the direction of the two men. Her face flushed as she noticed them watching her, and she quickly turned her attention to the other woman.
"Oh no," Harrison muttered, his eyes locked on something off to the right.
Fitz followed the younger man's gaze, immediately recognizing the cause of Harrison's distress. Jake had decided to make his presence known, loudly entering the party with a cackling woman on his arm.
It took Fitz a moment to recognize the woman - thanks to a multitude of cosmetic surgeries she had clearly had done over the years, but there was no denying the shrill giggles that cut through the crowded yard like a knife.
"Much to Fitz's displeasure, it seemed that Ballard had spotted Harrison beside him. The man started making his way toward them.
"Harrison," Jake greeting, shooting a questioning look toward Fitz. He gave the groom a big hug before turning toward the woman at his side. "Meet Mellie."
Harrison gave the woman a polite smile. "I'm sure you remember Fitz?"
Fitz's hands were clasped behind his back, refusing to offer the younger man a handshake.
"Oh, it's Fitz now, is it?" Jake said, throwing his arm over Mellie's shoulders. He gave the other man a poorly concealed sneer, a holdout no doubt from the year Fitz had gotten him suspended from the basketball team after catching him smoking weed behind the gym.
"Jake!" Harrison scolded.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Fitz cut in. He had little patience to listen to Jake's poorly concealed grudge. "I have a date to return to."
Fitz started making his way through the crowd. He heard Jake laugh in disbelief behind him.
"— a date? You mean his right hand?"
And Fitz couldn't help but roll his eyes. The man was nothing but predictable.
Across the yard, Maggie and Olivia eyed the group of men.
"Okay. So what's going on?" Maggie asked, taking a sip of champagne.
"Going on with what?"
"You and Grant."
Olivia blushed, watching the man in question get pulled aside by Jake's brother.
"What do you mean?"
"One day you're all sullen and heartbroken over my idiot brother. And then suddenly you're asking if you can bring a date to the wedding. And then you show up with Grant of all people."
Olivia felt the need to defend him. "He's a lot different than when we were in college."
"Oh I know that," Maggie rolled her eyes. "But you have about 30 seconds to tell me how you went from barely-acquaintances to rabid-lovers in the matter of a week."
"Maggie!" Olivia hissed, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard. Fitz had finally broken free from his conversation and started to once again make his way toward the women. "I don't know. It just…happened."
"Sure. It just…happened." Maggie took another sip of her drink. "Just please tell me you two aren't faking it just to get a rise out of my brother."
Olivia took a big gulp of her drink just as Quinn joined their conversation.
"Stephen and I caught Olivia and Professor Grant in the bushes by the boat earlier," Quinn commented.
"Quinn!"
"And Olivia's never been very good at pretending to enjoy something she's not."
"And did it look like she was enjoying herself?" Maggie asked eagerly.
"Very much so."
Olivia downed the rest of her drink.
"Okay, so his dick must be huge, right?"
Olivia choked, eyes watering as she glared at Maggie through a round of coughs.
"He has decently large hands," Quinn said, unaware of Olivia's duress. The other woman was staring at Fitz, who had now covered more than half the distance between them. "And his fingers are long. It's hard to imagine his other appendages not being an equal length."
Olivia felt her cheeks flush at the imagery Quinn conjured.
"Okay, Livvie, how many inches are we talking about?" Maggie continued. "Just hold up your hands and give us an idea."
"Absolutely not."
"Oh come on," the blonde teased, elbowing her friend. "I'll tell you how big Harrison is."
"No!"
Maggie placed her drink on the table beside her and held up her hands. "He's about —"
"Margaret Ballard!" Olivia scolded, grabbing the woman's hands and wrenching them down. "Put your hands down!"
Fitz approached the group with an eyebrow raised. "Ladies. Hope I'm not interrupting?"
"Nope," Maggie smiled innocently. "Olivia was just telling me a-boat — I mean, about, her day."
"Come on Maggie," Quinn grabbed her friend's arm. "I think Harrison is looking for you."
Olivia smiled tightly as she took in Fitz's expression, clearly seeing where he had been coming from. "Did Jake say anything about me?"
"You? No." Fitz shook his head, grabbing a fresh drink off a tray. "I don't think he's put two and two together yet that I'm your date. He did; however, have a lot to say about me."
"Ugh," Olivia groaned. "I'm sorry. I should have warned you that he can be an ass."
Fitz snorted. "No warning necessary. I'm well aware that Jake Ballard parallels the maturity of an ape."
Olivia snickered. "That's an insult to the ape."
Fitz bit back a smile as he glanced over Olivia's shoulder, looking in the direction of the younger men across the party.
"Don't look now, but I think Harrison's just broken the news to him," Fitz noted, returning his stare back to Olivia. "It's a tough accomplishment, but your ex seems more dumbfounded than normal."
Olivia's eyes widened as she took in the implication of his words. "Quick! Act like we're in love!"
"Should I get down on one knee?"
Olivia faked a loud laugh as she pressed a hand flirtatiously against his chest. "Fitz, stop it!"
Fitz looked down at her with a small smile, leaning in closer.
"You're overselling it," he whispered through his teeth.
"I'm just nervous," Olivia breathed through a forced grin. "I've never done anything like this before."
Fitz rolled his eyes. "That's obvious."
He looked over her shoulder, lightly resting his hand against her lower back. "How do you feel about PDA?"
"Is he still watching?" Olivia whispered, eyes darting anxiously to the side.
"Yes.'
"Do it," Olivia said immediately, turning her head up toward his face.
Fitz dragged his gaze slowly down to meet her own, flashing her a lazy smile. He let his hand drift lower down her back, slowly inching toward the curve of her ass.
Olivia sucked in a sharp breath, surprised by his action.
Fitz kept his eyes locked on her, but his smile turned cocky as his hand slid even lower. Olivia felt her mouth go dry as his hand cupped the bottom of her butt, grabbing her ass possessively.
"This okay?" Fitz asked quietly, his smile still in place for any onlookers.
Olivia was finding it hard to stand given how shaky her legs had suddenly become. No one had ever acted so inappropriately - so possessive! - toward her in public before. She did her best to take in a calming breath.
"Mhm," she gave a quick nod. "S'fine."
Fitz lowered his head toward her neck, breathing a line down her jaw. Hidden by her hair, any onlookers would think he was kissing along her pulse point.
"We can stop if you're uncomfortable," Fitz whispered against her skin.
Uncomfortable was the last word Olivia would use to describe what she was feeling. A more accurate word would be flustered. Or sexy. Or wanted. Or aroused.
Fitz finally pulled his head away from her neck, his eyes searching her face after she failed to give a verbal response to his question. Expecting to find a look of panic or anxiety, Fitz struggled to keep his eyes from widening in surprise.
Her pupils were fully dilated and her cheeks were flushed. Any onlooker would see exactly what Olivia hoped they would see - a couple infatuated with themselves. Fitz just wasn't expecting to see it for himself.
"Do you think he saw?" Olivia asked, grabbing a glass of water off a nearby table and downing half of it.
Fitz's eyes flicked back to where he had last seen Jake. He couldn't help an amused smile as he saw various people suddenly turn the other way, having been caught staring.
"Pretty sure half the party saw."
Olivia let out a shocked giggle, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she giggled.
"It's kind of fun doing this!"