After our shopping trip earlier this week, I've spent hours continuing my search of the World Wide Web, scouring over Instagram fan accounts, paparazzi shots, tabloid articles, and anything else I can find related to Beau Lewis. One fan page seemed quite informative, mashing all the relevant information onto one site, so I favorited that one on my web browser, feeling a bit weird at the thought of anyone possibly seeing it.

I decided to look around a bit before work this afternoon and I've found a particularly interesting Instagram account. I scroll through photos - professional photoshoots of MisFits, blurry shots of Beau doing day to day activities, screen-grabs of interviews, everything. As it turns out, MisFits is a rock and roll band, not a boy band, I chuckle to myself as a clip from one of their concerts plays automatically. I suppose Beau's leather and ripped jeans are not that far out of place, then. You wouldn't be able to tell that they aren't a boyband, the way the young girls follow their every moves. But the guys are attractive and I have to admit, their music is good, so hey.

I almost take out a notepad and start taking notes the way I would in school. It's my job to know these things now, and after seeing how informed some of their fans are, I cannot afford to mess this up. I shiver at the thought of Fiona scolding me for making a mistake. Still, it feels wrong somehow, like a violation of Beau's privacy. Maybe that's the price for being famous, I sigh as the pencil falls from my fingers - but it's not one I'm willing to pay.

I'll get to know my pretend boyfriend the old fashioned way - uncomfortable first dates and forced small talk. I grab a red pen and mark my calendar - my personal one that I've tacked to the wall by the fridge, not the one Fiona sent over - for Beau's birthday. April 10th, I smile at the date, impressed Beau even admitted to it in the first place. Maybe I'll plan something nice for him, I think. As soon as the thought is fully formed in my mind, I let out a laugh - there's no way Beau will want to spend his birthday with me, not unless Fiona makes him, and maybe not even then. I pull on my old converse and make my way down to the coffee shop, only a couple minutes early to my shift.

"That boy is here for you," Nadine eyes me carefully once I'm inside. I follow her gaze across the cafe, surprised to see Beau lounging in one of the arm chairs, a coffee in one hand and his phone in the other. God, it can't be good for him to be on that thing this much, I shake my head. "What's that about?" She asks bluntly, never one to beat around the bush.

"Nothing," I chuckle, feeling bad for lying to her. "I think he has a crush on me," I bite my lip, satisfied that my new role lets me tease Beau a bit, at least.

Nadine stops scrubbing the counter top to put her hands on her hips. "Yeah? And what do you think about that, Miss Emma?"

I take my apron off the hook and double wrap the strings around my waist. "I don't know," I shrug casually. "What do you think about it?" I find myself actually wanting to hear her answer - I trust her, and even if she can't know everything, I want to know what she thinks of Beau. I peek at him again but he hasn't looked up from his phone.

"Well, it's not any of my business." Nadine busies herself cleaning the counter top again. I wait a couple of minutes, knowing she can't keep her opinions in for too long. "I just don't know about him, Emma. He seems like bad news," Literally, I think to myself, images of all his scandalous headlines like a flip book in my mind. "I just don't want to see you get hurt." Nadine rests her hand on my shoulder and I smile reassuringly at her.

"Don't worry," I begin refilling the sugars, "That won't happen." I hold back a small laugh, thinking of our no feelings, purely business deal. Yep, I smile to myself, definitely no chance of that happening.

"He's coming over here," Nadine warns me quietly in time for me to look up and see Beau standing right in front of me.

"Hi there, sir. What can I get for you today?" I smile obnoxiously, using my best customer service voice.

Beau rolls his eyes at me, shoving his phone into my hands. I'm stunned for a moment, surprised he would even let me hold his precious baby. "Look," He urges me impatiently.

I do as I'm told, tucking hair behind my ears as I read the headline he has pulled up on the screen.

BEAU LEWIS AND MYSTERY GIRL IN TENSE ARGUMENT OVER DINNER

"What the heck is this about?" I mumble, scrolling lower onto the page. A grainy photo of Beau and I shows us sitting at the sushi place, Beau wearing his normal scowl. I hadn't even noticed anyone taking pictures. The headline is stupid, I roll my eyes, you can't even see my face - just the back of my head. "So what?" I hand Beau his phone back, looking up at him curiously.

"So what?" Beau's brows are raised, hidden beneath his hair. "What - did you miss the entire meeting with Fiona? You're supposed to make me look good." I choke out a laugh as Beau's face grows even angrier.

"You do realize I might as well not even be in that photo, right?" I push past him, placing a sugar shaker on each table. "You're the one who looks pissy."

Beau follows behind me closely, almost tripping me with his long strides. "You made me pissy."

I roll my eyes, making my way back behind the counter, Beau still right behind me. "You are always pissy."

"No I'm not." Beau pouts, dark brows crunched together over his pretty green eyes. I stare at him, not bothering to hide my amusement. He stares back, not looking away even as I turn to greet the next customer.

"We'll talk about this later," I mutter to him, turning to our guest. "Oh my God, Gemma!" I squeal, running around the counter to hug the fiery red head in front of me. "You're back," I lift a strand of fire engine red hair, "And red!" I giggle.

Gemma makes a show of extravagantly flipping her new hair. "I needed a change," Gemma always needs a change. It's why she just took a spontaneous cross country road trip in her parents RV all alone, why her hair is always a new color each time I see her, and unfortunately, also the reason why I get so excited each time she's home. She's always on the move.

"So tell me everything, how was it!" I look around to make sure there's no customer in need before I take her to a table to chat. Nadine plops down in a beanbag chairs and waves me off, letting me know it's okay to talk for a bit.

"I will," Gemma eyes Beau still standing at the counter as I sit her down. "After you tell me what he's doing here." She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth as she gawks at him.

I groan, "Please, don't tell me you're obsessed with them, too."

Gemma rolls her eyes, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I don't have to be to appreciate how sexy he is," I nearly choke on the muffin I grabbed for myself. I slide Gemma half as she giggles at my reaction. "Jeez, Emma, don't be such a prude,"

"You'd probably like him, anyways," I curse myself as soon as the words are out of my mouth and I see Gemma raise her brows at me. "So how was the trip? Tell me everything," I urge her quickly before she can question me further.

"Aaa-mazing!" She exclaims in a sing-song voice. "I have pictures," She hands me her phone, opening an album of over five thousand photos. She does have talent in the photography department, though, I'll give her that. I listen to her gush about the places she visited, flipping through the pictures mindlessly, enjoying shots of waterfalls, national parks, gimmicky tourist attractions, and of course, many of her enjoying said landscapes. God, I've missed her. "You have to come with me next time," She grabs my hands in her own. "I'm already planning a backpacking trip in Europe,"

"We'll see," I smile at her, trying to portray excitement. The truth is, Gemma's parents support most of her travels, and I'm not in that position. So Gemma always invites me, I always say we'll see, and I always have to decline. Still, she is one of my closest friends.

"Fine. Now," She gives me a serious look. "Tell me the truth about him," I look over my shoulder and see Beau still at the cafe, sitting at the bar. God, he cannot take a hint. Or he just doesn't care, I mentally correct myself.

I feign confusion, "What do you mean?" Gemma, Nadine, Stevie, everyone in this town... They will all find out anyways, just like everyone else once we begin really going public. It might as well come from me. "I guess we've been talking a little,"

Gemma's dark eyes go wide as she smiles a one-million-watt smile. "Tell. Me. Everything!"

I look around the cafe, panic starting to creep in. What do I tell her - what is there to tell her? So instead, I make a potentially very stupid decision. Turning in my seat, I wave Beau over to our table. He takes his time to approach us, eyeing me suspiciously the entire way. Once he is seated, though, his gaze falls on Gemma and doesn't move. "Beau, this is my friend, Gemma. Gemma, this is -"

"Beau Lewis," She finishes for me, sticking a manicured hand out to him. I cringe, remembering how he snapped at me for calling him by his full name. He probably won't even shake her hand, I sigh in embarrassment.

But to my surprise, Beau takes her hand in his, holding onto it a second longer than necessary. "Nice to meet you," I look between the two of them, not liking the look in either of their eyes.

I open my mouth to speak, hoping to gain their attention back, but my phone rings. "Um, 'scuse me," I mumble, walking away before answering. I don't recognize the number, "Hello?"

"Miss Carter. It's Fiona." I roll my eyes at her clipped tone. Of course it's her.

"Fiona, hi,"

"I'm sure you have seen that ridiculous story?" She wastes no time on pleasantries.

"I have."

"Fix it." Her reply is short, but I feel the weight of her frustration anyways. I try to apologize and say I will do better next time, but the line is already dead. I run my hands over my face, wondering once more, if I may have gotten myself in just a little too deep here. Yes, the money is amazing and almost too good to refuse - but this, I look back to Beau, who is nearly undressing Gemma with his eyes already... is it worth it?

I begin walking back to the table to tell them both I need to get back to work, but stop when I see Nadine watching me with concerned eyes. "Just a bill-collector," I lie convincingly enough. I return to the table to hear Gemma telling Beau all about her trip. He nods his head, murmuring small comments here and there, like he's actually listening. But I know better and I can see the way he's staring at her, the way most guys stare at her. "Gemma, I'll call you later and set up something soon for lunch?" I say finally once the conversation hits a lull.

She grabs her bag and agrees with me, "Soon, though, Emma. I know you'd work yourself to death if Nadine didn't make you take days off," She waves at Nadine right before she pushes through the door, "Oh, and it was so nice to meet you, Beau." Her eyes are wide and her cheeks flushed. Jesus, Gemma. This is such a mess.

Once she's out the door and out of ear shot, I yank Beau to my level by his sleeve. "No. Do you hear me? Let it go, because you are not having sex with her."

Beau brushes me off, arrogant smirk back in place. "Jealous?"

"Please," I cross my arms over my chest. "But I am serious."

"You're not my girlfriend," Beau stretches his arms above his head, revealing colorful tattoos beneath his shirt. "You don't tell me what to do,"

"You're right. I'm not, not really anyway." I turn my back to him, heading behind the counter as I see more guests approaching the shop. "But if you don't want me to ruin everything, I'd advise you not to touch her." I know enough about Beau to know he sleeps with almost every girl he can, some of them fans living out their wildest fantasies. Knowing how cruel he can be, there's no way I'm letting Gemma anywhere close to that, no matter how scary Fiona is.

And by the look on Beau's face, I can tell he believes me.