Part 2

The rhythmic clacking of keyboard keys filled the quiet office, a steady, almost soothing sound that echoed through the open space. Landon sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the screen in front of him as he meticulously wrote lines of code, each keystroke deliberate and precise. The glow of the monitor cast a soft light on his face, highlighting the faint furrow of concentration on his brow. It was the kind of work that required focus, the kind that usually drew him in and blocked out everything else.

But today, something was different.

No matter how hard he tried to immerse himself in his work, his thoughts kept drifting back to the girl he had met just days before. Selerity—no, Monica—no, Selerity. He found himself repeating her name in his head, testing how it felt on his tongue, how it resonated in his mind. The memories of their day at Coney Island played on a loop, distracting him from his code. Her laughter, her genuine excitement on the rides, the way her eyes lit up at the sight of the Ferris wheel—it was all so vivid, so fresh in his mind.

He had enjoyed her company more than he expected. But now, sitting in the quiet of his office, surrounded by the hum of computers and the distant murmur of his coworkers, Landon couldn't help but question whether hanging out with her again was a good idea. After all, she worked for a girlfriend rental agency. No matter how much fun they'd had, no matter how real her smile seemed or how sincere her laughter sounded, it was still her job to be a good companion. It was her duty to make him feel special, to create the illusion of a genuine connection.

Landon leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he tried to shake off the uncertainty gnawing at him. He was a logical person, someone who liked to approach life with reason and clear thinking. But this situation… it didn't fit neatly into the boxes he usually relied on. The lines between reality and pretense felt blurred, leaving him unsure of what to do next.

Part of him wanted to reach out to her, to see her again and maybe discover if there was something real behind the facade. But another part of him—the cautious, pragmatic part—warned him against it. He reminded himself that no matter how much he enjoyed her company, she was just doing her job. And if he wasn't careful, he could end up getting too attached, mistaking professional kindness for something more.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Landon's fingers hovered over his keyboard, frozen in indecision. He tried to focus on his work again, typing a few more lines of code, but the words blurred together on the screen. With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair once more, staring at the ceiling as if the answers might be written in the tiles above him.

Why was this bothering him so much? Why couldn't he just let it go?

He thought back to the moment when she had given him her personal number. There had been a sincerity in her eyes, a hint of vulnerability that he hadn't expected. And when she corrected him, telling him her real name, it felt like a crack in the professional veneer she had been wearing. A glimpse of something genuine.

Maybe it was that moment that was making this so difficult. Because for a brief second, it hadn't felt like a transaction. It had felt… real.

Landon shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts. He couldn't afford to overthink this. He needed to focus on his work, to keep his feet on the ground. But even as he told himself that, he knew it was only a matter of time before he would reach for his phone, that small card with her number tucked safely in his wallet, and send her a message.

The question wasn't if he would contact her—it was when.

And as the day wore on, the thought of seeing Selerity again lingered in the back of his mind, like an itch that refused to go away. No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, he knew he would give in eventually. The only question was what would happen when he did.

As the day dragged on, Landon finally managed to refocus on his work, immersing himself in the world of scripts and code. By the time his shift ended, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a golden glow. He powered down his computer and began packing up his things, ready to head home and put the day behind him. Just as he slung his bag over his shoulder and stood to leave, he heard a familiar voice call out from behind him.

"Hey, Landon! Hold up a sec!"

Landon turned to see his friend and coworker, Scott, walking toward him with a grin on his face. Scott was one of those guys who always seemed to be in a good mood, his easygoing nature making him popular around the office. But today, there was a mischievous glint in his eye that made Landon uneasy.

"What's up, Scott?" Landon asked, trying to keep his tone casual as he adjusted the strap of his bag.

Scott reached him and slapped a hand on his back in a friendly gesture. "So… when were you going to tell me about your new girlfriend?"

Landon blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about? I don't have a girlfriend."

Scott raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Oh, come on, man. Don't try to play dumb with me. I saw you at Coney Island over the weekend. You were with that cute girl. What, you think I wouldn't notice?"

Landon felt his heart skip a beat as realization dawned on him. Scott had seen him with Selerity. Panic surged through him as he struggled to think of a way to explain the situation. There was no way he could tell Scott the truth—that she was a rental girlfriend. It was too embarrassing, too complicated. So instead, he did the only thing he could think of: he improvised.

"Oh, uh, that… yeah, we just met recently," Landon said, trying to sound nonchalant. "That was our first date."

Scott's expression softened into one of genuine happiness. "Well, good for you, man! It's about time you got out there. She seemed really sweet. You two looked like you were having a great time."

Landon forced a smile, nodding along. "Yeah, she's… she's pretty great."

Scott, seemingly satisfied with the answer, gave Landon another pat on the back. "Well, in that case, you've got to bring her out this weekend. Me and Jess were thinking of hitting up that karaoke bar downtown. You should come, bring her along! We can make it a double date."

Landon's stomach dropped. The idea of bringing Selerity to meet Scott and his girlfriend filled him with dread. He hadn't even figured out what his relationship with Selerity was—how could he introduce her to his friends? But as he looked at Scott's eager face, he realized there was no getting out of it. Scott wasn't the type to take no for an answer, especially when it came to something like this.

"Uh… yeah, sure. I'll… I'll see if she's free," Landon stammered, trying to buy himself some time to figure out how he was going to make this work.

"Great!" Scott said, clearly pleased. "We'll have a blast. I'll text you the details. And don't worry, man—if she's anything like you, I'm sure we'll all get along just fine."

Landon forced another smile as Scott gave him a final wave and walked away, leaving him standing alone in the now-empty office. As soon as Scott was out of sight, Landon exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing with a thousand different thoughts.

What was he going to do? How was he supposed to explain this to Selerity? The last thing he wanted was to put her in an uncomfortable situation, especially after she had been so kind to him. But now, it seemed like he had no choice. He had to ask her to pretend to be his girlfriend—at least for one more night.

With a sigh, Landon pulled out his phone and stared at the small card with Selerity's number written on it. He hesitated for a moment before typing out a message, his fingers trembling slightly as he hit send.

"Hey, Selerity. It's Landon. I hope you're doing well. I know this is kind of sudden, but… would you be free to hang out this weekend? My friends want to meet you. It's at a karaoke bar, so it should be fun. Let me know if you're up for it."

As he slipped his phone back into his pocket, Landon couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated. But there was no turning back now. All he could do was wait and see how Selerity would respond.

It didn't take long for Selerity to respond. She asked him to meet at a nearby coffee shop to discuss what's going on. He let out a sigh, agreeing to meet her at the shop to explain what happened. He hopes that she won't be upset.

That evening, Landon walked into the cozy coffee shop that Selerity had mentioned in her text. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the soft chatter of customers and the gentle hum of indie music playing in the background. As he scanned the room, he spotted Selerity sitting at a corner table by the window, her eyes focused on the book in her hands.

She looked different today—dressed casually in a soft gray hoodie and jeans, her hair tied up in a simple ponytail. She wore glasses, which Landon hadn't seen before. The look was a stark contrast to the polished, confident persona she had during their date, but it suited her. She seemed more relaxed, more herself.

As he approached the table, Selerity glanced up and smiled, closing her book and setting it aside. "Hey, Landon," she greeted him, her voice friendly but tinged with curiosity.

"Hey, Selerity," Landon replied as he took a seat across from her. "I didn't know you wore glasses."

Selerity shrugged lightly. "I usually wear contacts on dates. The glasses are just more comfortable for everyday stuff."

Landon nodded, appreciating this glimpse into her off-duty life. He could tell she was in her element here, surrounded by the comforting familiarity of the coffee shop. But he could also sense the undercurrent of tension in her posture, the way she leaned slightly forward, her eyes searching his face for answers.

"So," Selerity began, her tone shifting to a more serious note, "what's going on? Why do you want me to meet your friends? This isn't something my clients normally ask for."

Landon took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before explaining. "I… kind of got caught," he admitted, his voice low as if he were confessing a secret. "One of my coworkers, who's also a good friend of mine, saw us together at Coney Island. He assumed you were my girlfriend and got excited about it. I didn't want to blow your cover or make things awkward, so I sort of… went along with it."

Selerity's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Why do your friends want to meet me so badly?"

Landon hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "I was in a relationship for a while," he began, his voice tinged with the weight of past hurt. "It was… pretty toxic. It ended badly, and my friends saw what it did to me. They're just looking out for me, making sure I'm not getting into another bad situation. I didn't plan for this to happen, but I didn't know how else to handle it. I'm really sorry if this puts you in an awkward position."

Selerity leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she absorbed his words. Landon could see the annoyance flicker in her eyes, and he braced himself for her response. But then she sighed, her posture relaxing a bit as she uncrossed her arms.

"Honestly, this is a mess," she said, her tone resigned but not unkind. "But I guess I can't be too upset. I'm the one who approached you out of the blue, so I'm partly responsible for this situation."

Landon looked at her, his expression apologetic. "I didn't mean to drag you into this. I just didn't know what else to do. If you're really uncomfortable with it, we can figure something else out."

Selerity shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, it's okay. I'll go on the date with you. It's not like I haven't dealt with weird situations before. I just want to make sure we're both on the same page."

Landon felt a wave of relief wash over him, but before he could thank her, Selerity held up a hand to stop him.

"But," she continued, her tone firm, "you don't have to pay me this time. You helped me out with that review, and I'd like to return the favor. Just cover my expenses like a real date, and we'll call it even. Deal?"

Landon blinked, surprised by her offer. He had fully expected her to charge her usual fee, but her gesture of kindness caught him off guard. "Deal," he agreed quickly, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Selerity. I really appreciate it."

Selerity smiled back, the tension in the air dissipating as they reached an understanding. "No problem. Just make sure your friends don't ask too many awkward questions, okay?"

"I'll do my best," Landon promised, feeling a newfound respect for Selerity. She had every reason to turn him down or demand more from him, but instead, she had chosen to help him out, expecting nothing in return. It was a gesture that made him appreciate her even more, not just as someone he had hired, but as a person.

As they continued chatting, the coffee shop around them seemed to fade into the background. For the first time since their initial meeting, Landon felt like they were on equal footing, no longer client and rental girlfriend, but two people navigating an unexpected situation together. And in that moment, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was something real growing between them.

That weekend, Selerity and Landon stood outside the karaoke bar, the neon lights glowing softly in the early evening. The cool breeze of the approaching night brushed past them, and Selerity adjusted the strap of her purse, trying to steady her nerves. She knew she could handle this situation—after all, pretending to be a girlfriend was her job—but the stakes felt higher now. Landon was counting on her, and his friends were going to be scrutinizing her every move.

"Ready?" Landon asked, his voice calm but tinged with his own nervousness.

Selerity nodded, flashing him a reassuring smile. "I've got this," she said, her confidence bolstered by years of experience in her line of work. "Just stick to the story, and we'll be fine."

Landon smiled back, grateful for her composure. "Alright, let's do this."

They walked into the bar together, the low hum of chatter and the occasional burst of laughter filling the air. Scott and Jess were already waiting for them in a private room, a cozy space adorned with plush couches and a large screen for displaying lyrics. The moment they entered, Scott stood up, greeting Landon with a playful punch on the arm.

"There he is!" Scott said with a grin, then turned to Selerity. "And this must be the girl who's got our boy all smitten."

Selerity offered her hand with a warm smile. "Hi, I'm Selerity. It's nice to meet you both."

Jess, a bubbly brunette with a wide smile, shook her hand enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you too! We've heard a lot about you."

Selerity laughed lightly. "All good things, I hope."

"Definitely," Jess replied, winking at Landon.

They settled into their seats, and after ordering a round of drinks and some snacks, the conversation began to flow. Selerity kept her responses light and engaging, carefully sticking to the story they had agreed on. She could tell that Scott and Jess were genuinely interested in getting to know her, but they were also protective of Landon, subtly probing to see if she was the real deal.

"So, Selerity," Scott said after a while, leaning forward with a grin, "how did you and Landon meet? He's been pretty tight-lipped about the details."

Selerity didn't miss a beat. "We met at a bar near my college," she replied smoothly. "I was out with some friends, and we just started talking. We hit it off, and the rest is history." She flashed Landon a quick, knowing glance, which he returned with a small nod.

Jess smiled, her eyes sparkling with interest. "That sounds so romantic! And the theme park for a first date? That's so cute."

"It was," Selerity agreed, her voice warm with genuine fondness. "We had a lot of fun."

As the drinks arrived and the atmosphere relaxed further, Scott grabbed the microphones and passed one to Landon, the other to Selerity. "Alright, you two," he said with a mischievous grin. "Let's see how well you harmonize. Pick a song and show us what you've got."

Landon took the microphone, his heart racing slightly as he scrolled through the song list. Singing in front of his friends wasn't exactly his idea of fun, especially with the pressure of impressing them with Selerity. He glanced at her, his mind racing for a safe choice.

But Selerity, always the professional, calmly reached over and stopped the scrolling. "This one," she said with a smile, selecting "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. "It's a classic."

Landon hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Alright, let's do it."

As the familiar melody began to play, Selerity and Landon took their positions, facing each other. Landon started singing first, his voice a little shaky at first but quickly finding his rhythm. Selerity joined in, her voice clear and confident. As the song progressed, they found themselves harmonizing perfectly, their voices blending together in a way that felt almost effortless.

Landon was surprised by how well they synced up. Selerity's voice was strong and beautiful, carrying the emotion of the song with ease. As they reached the chorus, their voices rose together, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room, caught up in the joy of the music.

When the song ended, there was a brief moment of silence, followed by enthusiastic applause from Scott and Jess. "You guys nailed it!" Jess exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Selerity smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed from the performance. "Thanks," she said, handing the microphone back to Scott. "That was fun."

As Jess took her turn to sing, Scott leaned over to Landon, a teasing grin on his face. "Man, you got over your ex pretty quickly, huh?"

Landon's smile faltered for just a second before he recovered. "Yeah, well, she was a mistake," he replied, keeping his tone light. "I'm just glad to be in a better place now."

Scott nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "Good for you, man. Selerity seems like a great girl."

Landon glanced over at Selerity, who was listening to Jess sing, her smile genuine and her laugh light. "Yeah," he said, more to himself than to Scott. "She really is."

As the night went on, the drinks flowed, and the singing continued, the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed. Selerity played her role perfectly, charming Scott and Jess while maintaining just enough distance to remind them that she and Landon were still getting to know each other. Landon couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her—she was handling the situation with grace and skill, making it all seem so effortless.

As Jess finished another one of her favorite songs, her voice lingering in the air like the final note of a sweet melody, she handed the microphone back to Scott with a playful bow. The guys clapped, and she flashed a triumphant smile before turning to Selerity. "I need to hit the bathroom," Jess announced, glancing over at Selerity with a friendly smile. "Wanna come with?"

Selerity hesitated for a split second, but then nodded. "Sure."

They both excused themselves and made their way down the dimly lit hallway toward the restrooms. The muffled sound of other karaoke rooms echoed around them, a mix of laughter and off-key singing adding to the lively atmosphere of the bar. Jess led the way, but as they reached the restroom door, she paused, turning to Selerity with a curious expression.

"You and Landon," Jess began, her tone light and casual, "you make a really cute couple, you know that?"

Selerity's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing as she processed the compliment. She forced a smile, trying to keep her voice steady. "Thanks," she replied, glancing away as she opened the door for Jess. "We're still getting to know each other."

Jess stepped inside, waiting for Selerity to follow before she continued speaking. "You know, when I first saw you guys at the amusement park, I have to admit, I was convinced you were a rental girlfriend."

Selerity's breath caught in her throat, her mind scrambling for a response. She turned away slightly, focusing on the sink as she washed her hands. "What makes you think that?" she asked, her voice a bit quieter than before.

Jess shrugged, leaning against the counter as she watched Selerity. "Well, you're just... a little too pretty," she said with a wry smile. "And Landon comes from a successful family, so it just seemed possible, you know? Some guys in his position might hire someone to keep them company, especially after a bad breakup. It's not unheard of."

Selerity nodded slowly, understanding Jess's reasoning. It was something she had encountered before—people who could sense when someone was playing a role. Jess's observation wasn't entirely off the mark, but it still stung a little. She tried to push the feeling aside, focusing instead on the sincerity in Jess's eyes.

"But," Jess continued, her expression softening, "after watching you two together tonight, I don't think that's the case at all. The way you look at each other, the way you interact... it feels real. Like, there's genuine chemistry between you."

Selerity felt a warmth spread through her chest, a mix of relief and something else—something she wasn't quite ready to name. She met Jess's gaze and nodded, offering a small smile. "I get what you're saying," she said softly. She knows all to well that sometimes, when people are trying too hard, it can come off as forced or fake. But with Landon, it doesn't feel like she's acting. It felt natural to her.

Jess smiled, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "That's what I thought. You guys seem really happy together. And I think that's what matters most, right?"

Selerity nodded again, more confidently this time. "Yeah. I think so too."

They both stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the unspoken understanding between them settling in like a gentle breeze. Jess reached out and gave Selerity's arm a reassuring squeeze. "I'm glad Landon found someone like you," she said sincerely. "He deserves to be happy after everything he's been through."

Selerity felt a pang of guilt at Jess's words but pushed it aside. She wasn't just a rental girlfriend in this moment—she was someone who genuinely cared about Landon's happiness. "Thanks, Jess," she replied, her voice soft. "I'm glad I met him too."

As they made their way back to the room, Selerity couldn't help but reflect on the conversation. Jess had seen through the layers of people in her role, she had identified the kind of fake happiness that clients often sought but was ultimately unsustainable. Yet, with Landon, Selerity hadn't needed to put on that exaggerated performance. She was just herself, and that seemed to be enough.

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to be with someone who didn't see her as just a hired companion, but as a real person—someone who could be genuinely cared for.

And as they rejoined Landon and Scott, Selerity felt a strange sense of contentment settle in. Whatever this was between her and Landon, it was different. And maybe, just maybe, it was something worth exploring.

As the evening drew to a close and they prepared to say their goodbyes, Landon couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. This wasn't just another job for Selerity, and it wasn't just a favor she was doing for him. There was something real between them, something that went beyond the boundaries of her work or the story they had concocted.

As they walked out of the karaoke bar, the cool night air hitting them, Landon looked over at Selerity. "Thanks for tonight," he said quietly. "You really saved me back there."

Selerity smiled, her expression softening. "Don't worry about it. It was actually kind of fun."

Landon nodded, but before he could say more, Selerity spoke again. "But you know," she said, her tone light but with a hint of seriousness, "we're still just getting to know each other, right?"

Selerity chuckled, recognizing the line they had agreed on. "Yeah," she agreed, though something in her chest tightened at the words. "Still getting to know each other."

As they parted ways, Landon couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to truly get to know Selerity, beyond the roles they were playing. And as he watched her disappear into the night, he knew that he was already looking forward to the next time they'd meet.