The Pretend Girlfriend (A Billionaire Love Story #1)(63)

And then Gwen realized why she'd let him go so far. It felt good. Lance might be a sleazy, greasy, horny frat boy, but at least he didn't lie to her about it, or to himself. It was an honest desire he expressed for her, and she appreciated that honesty, since Aiden wasn't being so open with her.

There was no pretending, no lying. But then again, there was nothing else to go along with that basic desire. No real connection like the one she felt with Aiden.

Disgusted with herself, she turned away from Lance, back towards the bar.

"Hey, baby, what's wrong?" he said.

Not looking at him, Gwen replied, "Nothing, sorry. I'm just not interested."

He put his hand on her shoulder and Gwen went stiff. "That's not how things were going a second ago..."

"Get your hand off her, now," Beatrice said, speaking through clenched teeth, the warning tone in her voice evident. She liked to play and flirt, but could also be protective like a mama bear at a moment's notice.

"Hey, fine, okay. Mixed messages much? Enjoy your evening, ladies," Lance said, sauntering back to the table where his bros sat. They all started laughing as he related whatever version of the story he'd made up on his way back.

Gwen snatched the shot glass from the bar and downed the vodka. What was that now, two or three? She couldn't remember. Whatever the number, she certainly started feeling it as a pleasant fuzziness, a dulling of her thoughts

"Whoa, what was that about?" Beatrice said.

"Nothing."

Now Beatrice touched her shoulder. "That wasn't nothing. You let that guy hit on you. Is there something going on between you and Aiden?"

Gwen smiled mirthlessly. "There's nothing going on between us. Nothing at all." A kiss here, a touch there, a smile. That was all he gave her. Stringing her along, putting down just enough breadcrumbs to keep her on his trail.

"Why can't he just say it?" Gwen said, not intending to say that out loud. The bartender poured them some more shots, and Gwen reached out eagerly.

Beatrice grabbed her wrist, keeping her from her next dose of the mind-numbing alcohol. "Hey, tell me what's up."

"I want to, but I can't."

"Because of that agreement thing you signed? What's up with that, anyway?"

"Yeah, that thing. It's just so... complicated." Great, she thought, now I even sound like Aiden.

And just like Gwen's reaction to Aiden using that word as an excuse, Beatrice got frustrated, too. "That's not good enough, Gwen. Stop feeding me that line. Just tell me straight; what's going on? Ever since you started seeing him, things have been extremely weird."

Gwen knew that she should just say something vaguely reassuring, maybe put her bad mood down to schoolwork or something. But that was just another lie. Maybe it was the alcohol, but she just couldn't lie to her best friend anymore. It would be okay to share this with just one other person, wouldn't it? Gwen thought.

Beatrice normally couldn't keep a secret. However, this wasn't a normal secret. I can trust her, Gwen told herself.

Seeing the internal struggle going on in her friend, Beatrice gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Just tell me what's up. And if he's hurting you... I'll kill him myself. You know that," Beatrice said, grinning.

Just tell her, go on, do it, Gwen urged herself. You'll feel better after. The truth sets you free, doesn't it?

Whoever came up with that little phrase neglected to mention that sometimes the truth sets you free right over a cliff.

Gwen decided to start small. "I'm not moving out of the apartment because Aiden is giving me more than enough to stay there. Even without a roommate..."

"Holy...! I didn't think you had it in you. Way to go, girl!" Beatrice said, raising her shot in salute and then downing it.

So far so good, Gwen thought. Of course B wouldn't judge a successful gold digger, being an aspiring one herself.

"That's not everything..." Gwen started.

For wanting to get this off her chest, it certainly was difficult to let go. This is what I want, isn't it: to tell someone? Gwen thought. But telling would betray Aiden's trust, and she had her own integrity to worry about, not to mention a legally binding contract with her signature on it.

"More? Wow, I really underestimated you," Beatrice said.

"That form you caught me signing," Gwen started, forcing her throat to stop clenching up, "It wasn't just a non-disclosure form. It was a contract to pretend to be Aiden's girlfriend. Oh, B, I was just so desperate, and it sounded like easy money. But now I actually really like him, and I don't know if he wants me back or if it's all just an act..."

It all just came spilling out, like a glass of water tipped over by a careless elbow. Gwen couldn't stop it. Her heart raced with panic as she finally sputtered to a stop, wondering how Beatrice would react.

Beatrice laughed, "Oh man, that is good. You, act? I don't think so. How do you come up with this stuff?"

She thinks it's a joke, Gwen realized. At first, Gwen wasn't sure if she should be relieved or angry. Relief sounded good, since it meant that Gwen and Aiden's story was probably still safe. But anger just seemed so much more satisfying. She'd worked up the courage to spill her guts, and all she got in return for confiding was a laugh?