The Pretend Girlfriend(34)

Gwen suppressed her own urge to ask him the same question, instead smiling and saying, "No, I haven't, actually. Why don't you tell him, dear? I insist."

If this had been a moment in sitcom on TV, Gwen might have laughed. But it wasn't TV; it was her life. And beneath that (hopefully) sweet smile she felt about ready to shake apart.

"Oh, well, of course," Aiden said, turning back to David, "You see, sir, that money stuff is all sorted out now."

"How?" David said, the concern beginning to show on his face as he glanced between his trapped hand and the face of the man responsible tor binding him like that.

"It's an amazing story, actually! Gwen tells it better..."

"Please, sweetums, you tell him. I just like to hear the sound of your voice," Gwen said, enjoying the look of panic that flashed across Aiden's face when he looked at her. Maybe this was funny, after all.

"Well, you see, Gwen found a ring..." Aiden started.

Gwen didn't know quite why she decided to join in on the story, but before she could second guess herself she blurted out, "Yes, a diamond engagement ring!"

"...A diamond ring," Aiden said, "When she was in Manhattan yesterday. I helped her find out..."

"I did most of the work myself, actually," Gwen said. Aiden shot her a look that said, What are you doing?

She shrugged at him.

"Of course, yes, she did most of the work herself with a bit of help from me. Anyway, it turns out the ring was an heirloom belonging to the Astors who are family friends of mine..."

"It was on the Titanic!" Gwen said, finally remembering where she remembered that name, Astor, from.

A vein started throbbing in Aiden's forehead. Gwen realized that she should just leave the story to him, that every time she blurted something out it just made things more complicated. But it was just so fun. Also, slightly (more than slightly) vindictive of her. Aiden had put her in this spot in the first place. Maybe it was his turn to feel the heat.

But Aiden's smile never faltered, even though his stare could have poked holes through lead. He turned to fully face David, blocking Gwen out of the conversation with his back.

"The Titanic? The big ship from the James Cameron movie?" David said, giving his hand another unsuccessful tug.

"Yes, from the Titanic, so you can guess how important it is to them. Anyway, I recognized it and we brought it straight to their penthouse in the city. They were so happy to see it that they simply insisted they give Gwen a reward..."

"Of five thousand dollars!" Gwen and Aiden said at the same time.

He looked over his shoulder at her and their eyes met. For just a moment, Gwen thought she felt something in that look, something that turned that fake sweet smile on her face into a real one. Aiden must have noticed, because he frowned slightly.

The shared look went on for a moment too long, and Aiden dropped his eyes first.

What was that about? Gwen wondered.

"Well then, how, umm, great. So I guess that you won't be needing to move back home, then?" David said.

"Oh, sir, I'm not letting this one get away that easily," Aiden said.

David didn't say anything for a few moments. He looked first at his daughter, then to Aiden, then back to Gwen.

Gwen's amusement at the story melted away, replaced by cool anticipation mixed with apprehension. Would he buy the story?

"Well, I'm happy that you got a stroke of luck, it seems. And that you've met such a... fine young man," David said.

At that, Aiden released her father's hand. He snatched it back as though fearful Aiden might be toying with him. He flexed his fingers and massaged his palm, and Gwen wondered just how tight a hold Aiden had used.

Gwen's shoulders relaxed and she let out the breath that she didn't realize she'd been holding. If her father had said that he thought the whole story was baloney and then demanded the truth, Gwen didn't think she could have lied about it again.

And then Aiden continued, "Well, David—can I call you David?—Gwen and I were actually just about to go out on a lunch date. Would you care to join us?"

"Oh, yes, dad, that would be great! There's a nice Starbucks just down the street with good paninis and wraps."

"Actually, I should probably start on my way back home before the rush traffic begins," David said.

"That's a shame. Let me know next time you're in the area, and we'll be sure to set something up," Aiden said, leaning back against the wall so that he wasn't blocking David's exit.

"What was this about guidelines?" David said.

Oh! Gwen thought. In that rush she experienced from Aiden's story, she'd forgotten about her father overhearing that bit. Apparently, he hadn't forgotten. She smiled, gearing up for another story, another lie.