The Pretend Fiancé
He glanced down at his phone. “I think I need to text to the paparazzi our precise location. Then we’ll be forced to give them a show.”
She playfully slapped him. “Stop that! No calling the press. I just want it to be us. I brought you out here to show you that there is more to life than being chained to an office desk. You’re feeling the stress from everything. And I wanted to take you to a quiet, peaceful, tranquil place to de-stress.”
“It’s working wonders for my soul,” he said.
“Good. Because that was the plan.”
An eagle flew overhead in the bright blue sky, soaring right past them. They enjoyed their time in the serene canyon and enjoyed Arizona’s breathtaking beauty all around them.
“I noticed how much you love the outdoors,” Harvey said.
“Yeah. I used to come out here to get away from my dad when he was drunk. My sister and I used to spend hours outside, and we both loved it. Whenever I’m stressed, I find a place outside and soak it all in. You can’t run from your problems. But it was nice to get away and enjoy a few moments of tranquility. I had lots of bad times, but there were good times too. When my dad was sober, we’d used to go to the beach. I can still remember the smell of salt in the air, and the sound of seagulls flying overhead, my feet squishing in the soft sand, and the waves crashing on the shore. We’d all play volleyball, then get ice cream, then feed the seagulls some bread. So I guess I associate happy moments with being outside.”
“Those are nice memories.”
“I’ve always wanted to see the desert. And now I have. I can cross it off my bucket list.”
He glanced around. “It’s beautiful out here. So majestic, so mind-blowing. I’m so glad you made me stop and smell the damn roses.”
She laughed at his comment.
“Yeah. It’s just gorgeous. I’ve come out here a few times on my days off. I was so amazed by the sights that I thought I’d drag you out here kicking and screaming.”
“I didn’t kick or scream. I love spending time with you, Bella. You’ve shown me all the things I’m missing out on. Living life in an office isn’t right. In the short time we’ve known each other, you’ve shown me things nobody else ever has. You’ve made me see things nobody else has.”
“If I can leave you with anything, it’s…go out and live life. Life is not all about money, status, and power. Take a deep breath. Look around you. You know I’m right.”
She gazed into those pretty eyes of his and felt her stomach flutter.
“You’ve taught me a valuable life changing lesson I’ll never forget. Constantly checking my email is wasting my life. I guess I never realized how consumed by my work I actually was.”
“If you live to work, you’re missing out on the best parts of life.”
“I am beginning to see that. Sometimes, I find it hard to relax.”
“Sometimes?”
“All right. A lot.”
“It’s all about balance. And right now, the scale is tipped all the way down, and work’s winning.”
“My father told me I’d never amount to anything,” he confessed, his voice soft. “And I guess I want to prove him wrong. I’ve never told anyone that.”
“You’ve done so much. I think you’ve proved to your dad how much you’ve amounted too. He’s proud of you, and so am I. So try to slow down a little.”
“I don’t want to be how the press sees me,” he said.
“You’re used to seducing women and getting what you want.”
“That’s not who I want to be. I’m not trying to make excuses, but I had a bad role model. My old man chased women all the time. And sadly, I followed in his footsteps. I had women. Money. Status. Power. A mansion. A plane. A yacht. I thought I had a perfect life, but I’m seeing, it’s not really so perfect after all. I want to be a better man so that one day I can truly deserve someone like you.”
Their eyes locked, and they shared a moment of silence.
And man was the eye contact intense!
He lowered his head, and his lips brushed across hers. His lips felt soft and smooth. She felt her breathing quicken as the electricity rushed through her.
He backed away. “I’m sorry.”