Erin

Erin stared at a man with incredible brown eyes, who looked vaguely familiar, cutting off her path to class.

“Ah I knew it was you! Erin, right?” The stranger gulped between heaving breaths. “Would you be my girlfriend for the next five minutes? Please, I’m begging you.”

“Do I know you?” Where did she know him from?

“Yes! You know me! Last year, those three makeup chem labs. We were partners. Remember? Max. We talked about old movies.” He glanced back in the direction he had appeared from.

Last year? Erin took in this Max person in front of her, trying to remember. Dressed in nice slacks and a polo barely holding in all his tight muscles, he didn’t match the vague recollection of the laid back lab partner in huge baggy t-shirts who laughed with her about old movies like Desk Set and Pillow Talk.

Max glanced back behind him again. “Erin? Do you not remember me?” His head quirked to the side in a charming little twitch. She could almost believe he was pouting at her.

“I…yes.” She nodded. “I remember.”

“Can you help me out?” He asked hurriedly.

What was the rush? “Help?”

His hand found hers. “Be my girlfriend! Only for a few minutes, I promise.”

“Ok.” Erin felt like she had said yes on accident. She didn’t do well under sudden pressure. But she also didn’t mind so much this time. This gorgeous guy in front of her was practically down on his knees imploring her to be his girlfriend. Something she had fantasized about on more than one occasion after meeting him last year. And being a pretend girlfriend for even a few minutes was a big step up from the complete lack of dates she had been experiencing lately.

Max pulled her in and was kissing her before she could ask why she was posing as his girlfriend or object to the kiss itself. As his sudden and surprisingly tender kiss lengthened beyond a quick peck, Erin was tempted to melt. Yet the very realistic side of her battled for attention, demanding that she push him away. Before she could decide which side to listen to he stepped back, keeping a light hold on her waist.

“What was…”

Once again she was interrupted but this time it was by a petite redheaded beauty who came bouncing up to Max, tugging on his arm.

“Maxy! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You can’t just run off in the middle of a date. Your mother would be so disappointed.” Her high-pitched giggles rebounded in Erin’s head. It was a grating, shrill sort of noise. Why on earth was Max asking her to pretend to be his girlfriend while he was on a date with this girl? As she watched Miss Bubbly Giggles bouncing around in front of them, she quickly took back the question.

Max hugged Erin close. “We weren’t in the middle of a date and I told you Lisa. I have a girlfriend, so I can’t go on a date with you.”

Lisa pouted, “But your mother said we are perfect for each other.” She blatantly sized Erin up. “You don’t want her.”

When Erin realized Max was trying to come up with what to say she figured it was time to step in and actually save the poor man. She let a warm smile purposefully spread across her face as she easily threaded her arm in his, planting a kiss on his cheek. As she did so her heart smiled too. He leaned into her as if he were asking for another kiss without realizing it. She almost obliged. 

They were faking dating, after all.

“Maaax.” She purposefully forced a bit of whine into her tone, ignoring Lisa completely. “I’m going to be late for class and I insist that you walk with me.”

His full attention swiveled her way and she leaned into him again on instinct. Since when did a smile like his affect her so intensely? She didn’t even mind when he wrapped both his arms around her waist, pulling her in front of him. Erin couldn’t see Lisa anymore but she could imagine her pouting at not being the center of attention. Max held her close as time lengthened to a deliciously slow crawl of sensations from her scalp down to her toes.

“Too true, love. Can’t have you late because of me.” He glanced over at Lisa, speaking louder, “Say hello to my mother for me.” His hand held firmly onto hers as they left Lisa behind.

Erin walked to class with Max’s arm wrapped around her shoulder. She wished she didn’t have class so they could maybe wander around and continue talking. Being in his arms felt so good, so safe.

She was in the middle of answering why she chose Psychology as her major when he stopped walking.

“Why’d you stop?” Erin looked up into his twinkling eyes, not wanting to end their conversation just yet.

A thrilled smile appeared as he nodded toward the door they were standing by. “This is your class, is it not?”

Startled, Erin hadn’t noticed their approach to her building and probably would have walked right past her classroom if he had not stopped. “How did you know this is my class?”

He stepped closer, still holding her hand. “I’m not a stalker.” He whispered, emphasis on not.

Cocking her head to the side she smirked, “What a relief. You could be a very convincing one. And you haven’t answered my question.”

“My class is next door and I’ve seen you leave a few times.” He shrugged. “But, believe it or not, today’s encounter was by chance and not planned, though I am glad it happened. You have been a wonderful girlfriend. You saved me from certain boredom and a massive headache.”

Erin laughed, “After meeting your sweet friend I can’t understand why you would avoid her.”

He squeezed the hand he was still loosely holding. “Uh huh, right. And since you agreed to be my girlfriend for another 30 seconds or so, I was hoping you’d agree to go on a date with me? A real date.”