The Pretend Fiancé

“It’s good to meet you, Ms. James.”

“Thank you. It’s good to be here. I’ve just arrived from Arkansas.”

“Ah, what did you do there?”

“I was a cleaner, worked in housekeeping for a motel. It paid the bills while I work on my business degree. Unfortunately, the motel is closing down and I needed a new job. Your assistant Greta was good enough to speak with me about this vacancy.”

“I see. Are your accommodations satisfactory?”

“Yes, thank you. They’re lovely. I—you don’t need Cream of Wheat, do you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, you just…nothing. I imagined myself working for someone older who needed his medication attended to and, um, Metamucil and stuff. I apologize. In fact, I wish I hadn’t said it.”

“Clearly, that isn’t the case. Here is your cell phone. Keep it on you at all times. When you’re off duty it can be a personal use phone as well. All the staff is on shared data so you shouldn’t run out. Just keep the phone charged and with you.”

“In case of what?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“An emergency.”

“And what would be a housekeeping emergency? Like if you spill something and need me to come wipe it up?” she teased.

“I might need Metamucil, you never know,” he said with a devastating grin.

Oh goodness. So handsome. So handsome! It was like her brain short-circuited. It was why she was fumbling with her words. Why couldn’t he have been an old man with no looks?

“I’ll keep the phone in my pocket. It’ll be with me at all times unless I’m in the shower.”

Harvey Carlson looked her up and down appraisingly in a way that made her blush, “No, you don’t have to take it in the shower.”

“I look forward to working with you. For you, I mean. Cleaning your floors and—I really haven’t done very well here, have I? I usually pride myself on being well-spoken but, I guess I’m a little intimidated. I’m not used to all this—” Bella gestured to indicate the wealth, the opulence.

“I’m sure you’ll settle in just fine. Did you say you were working on a business degree? I did mine at Wharton.”

“I took some classes at the community college. I’m on my third semester.”

“Very admirable of you, ambitious, too. What are you interested in doing eventually?”

“I’d like to do something in marketing or advertising, probably. Although my advisor kept saying I should do logistics management because I’m a problem solver. I was the total efficiency expert at the motel,” she smiled in recollection.

“You’ll have to tell me about it sometime, Ms. James.”

“Bella,” she said.

“That’s a lovely name.”

“Thank you. Your grounds and pool are very beautiful,” she said, changing the subject by stating the obvious.

“Thank you, I enjoy them. There’s a staff pool behind the guesthouse where you’re staying. I hope you take advantage of it. There’s also a gym in the basement there that you’re welcome to use. A fit, healthy staff is more focused and energetic, I find.”

“That’s e

xcellent. I’ve read about productivity increases from simple things like standing desks or yoga ball seating, so fitness initiatives would probably provide a boost as well, Mr. Carlson.”

“Yes, that’s the idea. I’m impressed,” he said, “And you can call me Harvey. Everyone does.”

“Not Mrs. Marks? She curtsied.”