Ex Factor

Heather is still staring at us, her expression one part confusion, two parts judgment.

I smile awkwardly, lifting my coffee cup to my lips. She doesn't seem like the type who drinks coffee—too dainty for that. Probably drinks organic green juice or something that smells like dirt.

"So," I say, trying to break the ice with my charming lack of tact, "I take it you two are... exes?"

Eli, who up until this moment had been playing the cool, aloof guy, stiffens beside me. He looks at me, then back at Heather. His face morphs into that weird half-smile he reserves for when he's in trouble.

"Yeah," he says, clearing his throat. "This is Heather. My—" He gestures vaguely, like he's trying to conjure up the word, "—ex."

"Ex-fiancée," Heather interjects, her voice smooth, almost too sweet. "We were engaged until... well, a few weeks ago."

I force myself not to look at Eli, because that would make it way too obvious that I'm picturing him on his knees proposing in some dramatic, over-the-top way. You know, the kind of thing that always happens in rom-coms before everything falls apart. Great. Just great.

"Ah, I see," I say, nodding like I've just cracked a code. "So, now you want to prove you're fine by showing up with your fake girlfriend?"

Heather raises an eyebrow, the smallest smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Oh, I see," she says, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "The fake girlfriend bit. How charming."

Eli shifts uncomfortably. "It's not like that," he says quickly, looking at me like he's desperate for me to back him up.

I'm so not backing him up.

I take a slow sip of my coffee and glance at Heather. "It's exactly like that, actually. I'm just here to make sure Eli doesn't look like a total mess at his sister's wedding." I smile sweetly at him. "And if I get a free meal out of it, all the better."

Eli shoots me a look. "Really? That's how you're going to sell this?"

I smile wider, ignoring his pleading eyes. "I'm just saying the truth, Eli. It's business."

Heather, of course, is still watching us like we're the most interesting thing to happen in her life all week. "Right. Business," she repeats, her eyes narrowing as she shifts her gaze to me. "I didn't realize Eli was in business with you, Cleo."

The way she says my name is enough to send a little shiver up my spine. It's like she's trying to peel back the layers of whatever flimsy, fake relationship we're pretending to have.

"I guess Eli is just full of surprises," I say, not-so-subtly raising an eyebrow. "Just like you seem full of... judgment."

A slight flash of annoyance crosses Heather's face. I can tell she's not used to being called out. Too bad for her, I'm an expert in reading people. She's absolutely one of those people who gets pissed when she's not the center of attention.

"Well," she says after a long pause, "I'll be seeing you at the wedding, I'm sure. Good luck, Cleo. You'll need it."

And just like that, Heather turns and walks away, her heels clicking loudly on the pavement.

Eli looks at me with the same forced smile he's been wearing all morning. "Well, that was fun."

"I'm so glad you think so," I say, smirking. "I'm thrilled to meet your ex. Thrilled."

Eli lets out a laugh that sounds a little too relieved. "She's... she's not that bad. She just... doesn't get it."

"Doesn't get what?" I ask, genuinely curious. "That you're using me as your personal cover-up?"

"Exactly," he says, his eyes meeting mine. For a brief second, I think he's going to add something more serious. But then his smile reappears, and I know I'm wrong.

"Look, just make sure you're on your best behavior," Eli adds, almost as an afterthought. "I'd hate to explain this whole thing to my mom."

I don't think about it too long. "Fine, but you owe me big time," I say, pointing a finger at him.

"Oh, I know," he grins. "And I'll make it up to you. Trust me."

I narrow my eyes. "You better. Or I might end up making out with someone else at the wedding."

Eli's face falls for just a second, before the usual smirk returns. "Not happening, Cleo."

"Guess we'll see about that," I say, tucking my phone into my bag. "So, when's this wedding, again?"

"Next Saturday," Eli replies, already backing away toward his car. "I'll pick you up at noon."

I wave a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't try to make me wear a ridiculous dress, okay?"

Eli chuckles as he gets into his car, the engine revving to life. "No promises," he calls as he drives off.

I stand there for a moment, thinking about how messed up this entire situation is. Fake dating Eli Hastings. Pretending to be his girlfriend at his sister's wedding. In front of his ex-fiancée.

What could possibly go wrong?

Just then, my phone buzzes with a new notification.

I unlock it, expecting the usual barrage of emails, but no—it's a message from LoveSync. It's an alert that catches my eye:

New match: Eli Hastings

Well, well. Guess I didn't completely escape him after all.

I stare at the screen, my heart doing a weird flip-flop. But no. That's crazy, right?

I swipe to delete the message, but then I pause. Maybe I should just swipe right for the heck of it. After all, if this wedding is going to be a disaster anyway, I might as well enjoy the ride. Right?