“I Needed a Fake Girlfriend for the Office Party,” the CEO Muttered—Then She Slid Me a Note That Said “Pick Me”
Chapter 10
A year after the office party, Carter Group held another anniversary celebration.
This time, Lena attended as Ethan’s real girlfriend.
There was no secret.
No fake story.
No note.
When Ethan introduced her, he simply said:
“This is Lena.”
Margaret smiled from across the room.
His mother hugged her.
Employees congratulated them.
Claire whispered:
“Finally.”
Lena laughed.
“Was everyone waiting?”
“Yes.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You ready?”
“For what?”
“Dancing.”
She smiled.
“Absolutely not.”
He laughed.
“You danced last year.”
“Because we were pretending.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m allowed to say no.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
She surprised him by taking his hand.
“Come on.”
They stepped onto the dance floor.
The same ballroom.
The same lights.
The same music.
But everything felt different.
Ethan placed his hand around her waist.
Lena rested her head against his shoulder.
“You remember last year?”
“Yes.”
“You were terrified.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
He laughed.
“Maybe.”
She looked up.
“Would you do it again?”
“What?”
“Ask me to be your fake girlfriend.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d be too afraid of what I’d miss.”
Lena smiled.
“What did you miss?”
“You.”
She kissed his cheek.
The song continued.
Around them, people danced.
But Ethan barely noticed anyone else.
He had spent years building companies.
Protecting his reputation.
Controlling every variable.
Then one handwritten note had disrupted everything.
Two words.
Pick me.
And he had.
Not because she was convenient.
Not because she could fool his family.
Not because she could solve his public-relations problem.
He had chosen her because somewhere between pretending and reality, he had discovered the one thing he couldn’t buy, negotiate, or control.
Love.
