Georgie's Big Greek Wedding - By Emily Forbes Page 0,34

He was delicious. But therein lay the danger. He was offering to be a fake boyfriend and she knew she might have trouble remembering that.

No. She was positive she could handle having her parents’ friends here. Surely that would be easier than handling Josh. But knowing she had his support gave her some comfort.

* * *

Twenty-four hours later Josh was surprised to receive a frantic phone call from Georgie. Her parents had landed in Cairns that morning and he hadn’t expected to hear from her at all today.

‘Josh, it’s me. Can you talk?’

‘Why are you whispering?’

‘I don’t want my parents to hear. I have a favour to ask you. Remember when you offered to be my surrogate boyfriend?’

‘Yes.’

‘Does your offer still stand?’

‘Why?’

‘Mum has just told me that Con and Anastasia, the friends with the three sons, were making noises about bringing one of them up to Cairns to meet me. I kind of panicked, I’m definitely not ready to be set up by two sets of parents, so I took your advice. I told them I have a boyfriend and now they expect to meet him tomorrow at Pat’s birthday barbecue!’

‘And you want me to be your boyfriend?’

‘Just for a week or so. Unless you’ve got any other ideas? Please?’

He had no intention of refusing, especially as it had been his idea in the first place. ‘All right.’ He was happy to do it, not least because he knew there would be some enjoyable perks to accompany the position of Georgie’s boyfriend. ‘I’ll come over a bit early tomorrow and you can introduce me to your folks.’

‘Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. I owe you.’

* * *

Josh kept his word, arriving half an hour earlier than the other guests, and Georgie tried to get her heart to slow down and stop its frantic pounding. She was nervous and anxious. She hoped their plan wasn’t a disaster.

He was carrying a large cardboard box, which he deposited on the kitchen table before kissing Georgie. His spontaneity startled her and she could feel her mother’s eyes watching every move.

‘Relax,’ Josh whispered, and Georgie willed herself to stay calm. She knew Josh was keeping up appearances and she needed to do the same.

She introduced him to her parents, George and Sofia, and Josh pulled gifts out of the box, champagne for Georgie and flowers for Sofia, and then he set about helping with last-minute preparations, setting up the bar, putting out glasses, turning on the barbecue. He obviously remembered his way around the kitchen, he looked right at home, and his casual assistance lent authenticity to their charade.

When their QMERT friends began arriving, Georgie introduced them to her parents as Josh slipped into the role of host. As she watched Josh pouring drinks and handing around nibbles, Georgie realised she hadn’t properly thought through their story.

What would happen if one of their colleagues alerted her parents to their fabrication? What would happen if her parents found out about their deception? What would their colleagues think? If she’d known she’d worry so much, she would have thought of a different plan.

She pulled Josh aside to ask him what they should do, only to find he’d already filled Louise in on their scheme and she’d told the others. Their secret was safe.

But the one thing she hadn’t thought about was physical contact. Josh was very demonstrative and she realised she hadn’t given this side of things any consideration. She didn’t want to appear cool and aloof but she jumped every time he touched her. Which was often. Every brush of his fingers, every touch of his hand sent her pulse racing, and she grew more and more self-conscious.

Eventually, when she thought she was going to go crazy, she dragged him aside again and begged him to stop.

‘Don’t think you’re overdoing it just a little?’ she asked.

‘Overdoing what?’

‘The touching, the kissing, the looks.’

‘The “looks”?’

He was laughing at her now. ‘Stop it,’ she said, trying to glare at him, but he’d made her smile. ‘I think you’ve convinced my parents enough for one day.’

‘Don’t be a spoilsport, I’m enjoying myself.’ He reached for her hand and hooked his fingers through hers. ‘This is what people do when they’re in a new relationship, when they can’t get enough of each other. Before it all goes pear-shaped. Don’t you remember a time when you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself?’ He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. Georgie had to clamp her lips together to stop herself