Pretend We're Over (Pretend 2)

“Millie, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you were Sebastian’s only choice. You’re hot as hell and the smartest, funniest chick here. You are…” Oaklee keeps talking, but I ignore her. She’s a bitch, but we’ve been friends for years. It’s not the first time she’s said something like this to me. We are always honest with each other, and she means well.

“I just don’t want you to be alone forever, Millie. It’s time you get back out there,” Oaklee says, squeezing my hand with pity in her eyes.

Dammit. I thought we had gotten past the pity.

“I’m fine, Oak.”

“I know you are. I just worry about you, now that I’m getting married. You’ll be alone, again.”

I sigh. We’ve been through this before. Oaklee and I have technically been roommates for the last six months, not that she’s spent much time at our place. She’s been practically living with Boden the whole time.

“Go talk to Sebastian,” she says.

“I will, but not so that I can date him. I don’t think he’s dating material.”

“Then what?”

I wink at her, and she smiles. “As long as you get back out there. It’s been too long. And for what it’s worth, you and Sebastian would make a cute couple.”

I roll my eyes. She thinks everyone would make a cute couple. She’s in love and just wants that for everyone else.

I start to walk toward Sebastian.

“Wait!” Oaklee says.

I stop and turn toward her. She studies me a second, then runs her hand through my hair, giving me a deep side part, before she pulls out some red lipstick from her purse and applies it to my lips.

“You finished?” I ask. I’m used to Oaklee using me like a dress-up doll. This isn’t the first time she’s put makeup on me or fixed my hair.

“One more thing.” She grabs the hem of my shirt and rips it.

“What are you doing?” I screech as she rips my favorite Lumineers T-shirt.

She looks down at my shirt that now ends just below my boobs. She knows that I’m not wearing a bra, I hate the things—so constricting.

“I can’t go over to him like this. He’s already seen me normal. This is…”

“Sexy?”

I look down as I cross my arms over my now bare stomach. Oaklee quickly knocks my hands down and attempts to give me a confidence-inducing look.

I take a deep breath. I look sexy. I have curves—curves men find attractive, even if I’m not as thin as Oaklee and Cynthia.

“Perfect, go get him.” She slaps my ass as I walk toward Sebastian. I’m not his usual type, but as I walk toward Sebastian, I feel men’s eyes on me. Oaklee did good work. I stand taller, feeling sexy as I let my hips sway back and forth. My boobs are playing peek a boo with the bottom of my shirt, and my red lips and overdone hair scream fuck me. And that’s exactly what I want—to fuck Sebastian. I’m not looking for a date. I’m definitely not looking for a husband—just one night of passion.

Sebastian doesn’t notice me approach. That’s okay. I like it better this way. It gives me a moment to study him and decide my opening line. I don’t want to make a fool of myself again and do something stupid like spill his drink all over him again.

“I think she might be pregnant,” Shepherd says.

“Who? You mean Millie?” Sebastian asks.

Just then, Shepherd notices me approaching the group. “Um…hi, Millie.”

But it’s not Shepherd I’m pissed at. I turn my anger at Sebastian, who is now eyeing me up and down, obviously noticing the changes Oaklee made. He doesn’t drag his eyes up and down slowly like I had hoped. His eyes race like he’s trying to find the next bumble I made—assuming I did something stupid or clumsy, not like this look is sexy and intentional.

“Millie, uh…” Sebastian grips his neck as he stares at me.

“Why do you think I’m pregnant?” I ask.