forum Pretending Hearts [RESTART (O/O CLOSED)]

Started November 15, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

Edit topic

“In my defense,” Daisy began, for once able to think of something on the spot, “he wasn’t looking where he was going, and my arms were full, so it was hard not to run into him.”

"I don't recall having full arms was an excuse for bumping into someone," Arvil teased. "And I was looking where I was going, but I was mostly trying to escape my assistant."

Daisy’s parents watched the faux couple bickering, her father raising a brow as her mother simply sipped on her water.

“Anyway… We should order,” the young woman declared as she picked up her menu. “Does anyone know what they’re getting?”

Arvil stopped arguing with Daisy to face her mother, then pulled on the polite smile again.

"It's my first time in this restaurant," Arvil admitted. "So I'm not quite sure what they offer here."

“Check the menu,” Daisy said, gesturing toward the one in front of him. She shook her head, casting a quick glance up at her parents.

“I’m thinking the New York strip steak with asparagus,” her father mused as he glanced over the menu.

Arvil picked up the menu as Daisy had said, skimming through the meals. He wasn't very hungry, but the shrimp pasta sounded really good…

"I think I'll have the shrimp pasta," he finalized. "With the spicy, cheese potato."

“Mm, that one is good,” Daisy mused as she looked through as well. “I’m thinking of getting chicken Alfredo.”

“That’s what I was going to get, too,” her mother said, her gaze flickering up toward her daughter before dropping back to the menu.

“Like mother like daughter, I suppose,” Arvil said with a chuckle. “It seems she got more than your pretty looks, Mrs. Riley.”

Daisy’s mother looked up at Arvil, her eyebrows raising slightly. She wasn’t immune to his charms, though she did know what he was doing. Not that she was going to tell him to stop.

“Well, thank you, Mr. Davis,” she said, giving him a small smile. “I’m starting to understand what my daughter sees in you.”

Arvil raised a curious eyebrow. He hadn’t expected that to work (maybe it didn’t), but he was more curious about her comment.

“Oh?” he tilted his head. “And what would be?”

“You’re a charmer, that’s for sure,” the woman mused, folding her menu to look across at Arvil. “And I can understand attraction to your looks.”

“Mother,” Daisy ground out, glaring at her mother from across the table.

Mrs. Riley simply raised her eyebrows at her daughter and shrugged. “What? I can see that you would find him attractive.”

Arvil blinked at Daisy’s mother before his lips quirked into a smile, then giving way for a chuckle. He found their interaction amusing, and nudged his faux girlfriend playfully.

“Truthfully, your daughter doesn’t appreciate my charms,” he sighed dramatically. “But she keeps me on my toes, so I guess that makes up for it. But Daisy…” his eyes flickered to her, the smile turning into a teasing smirk. “Do you really find my looks attractive?”

Daisy didn’t have to fake the blush that rose to her cheeks. She ignores the question for a moment, taking a sip of water, instead, to compose herself better.

“No. I’m just dating you for the money,” she said flatly, not meeting his eyes. And (hopefully) obviously teasing.

Arvil sighed dramatically again, leaning back in his seat, eyes closed.

“I knew it,” he draped his arm over the back of her seat. “I figured it was too good to be true. Does that mean I need to work harder to keep my company at the top?”

Daisy’s parents’ gazes had immediately shot to her when she spoke, though they visibly relaxed when Arvil replied. From his tone, at least, they could tell it was a joke.

“Mm, probably. Don’t want your girlfriend to leave you as soon as you go broke,” she mused.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Arvil chuckled, shooting her a look. “After all, you’re attracted to my looks too, aren’t you? Such a materialistic woman you are, Daisy Riley.”

Daisy blinked, taking another sip of water in hopes that it would cool her reddening cheeks. “Mm, no… Just the money,” she mumbled.

“Those red cheeks aren’t fooling anyone, beautiful,” Arvil said with a chuckle before finally turning to her parents.

“Would you like me to flag a waiter?”

Daisy took a longer drink of water at his words. That man… Gosh, why was he affecting her like this? It wasn’t like she actually found him attractive at all…

You liar.

Blinking, she dismissed the thought from her mind, spotting a waiter making his way over.

“No need. One is on his way,” she pointed out as he neared them.

[AFTER DINNER:]

Arvil set down his fork and drank his last soda before he licked his lips.

“That was a good meal,” he commented.

Daisy nodded her agreement, as did her parents. Surprisingly, it had gone rather well. They hadn’t asked too many questions about the couple, and the ones that they did ask were easy to answer.

“Well… Could I invite you both back to our house for dessert?” Mrs. Riley asked, looking between the faux couple.

Please say no… Daisy silently begged Arvil. The dinner had been enough interaction with her parents for the day.

At the look on Daisy's face, Arvil was very much tempted to agree. Unfortunately, he had some things to attend to.

He grimaced. "I would love to join you for dessert, but I have to head back to work," he said. "Perhaps next time?"

Thank goodness.

Daisy caught the sigh of relief that threatened to spill from her lips, instead giving her parents a tight smile. “I have work that I need to do, also, so it looks like it’ll have to be another day.”

Or not.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Riley,” Arvil said. “Think of today as my treat.”

“No, the pleasure was all ours. Please, let me grab the bill,” Mr. Riley insisted, reaching for the check.