"Umm…can we maybe talk somewhere private" I asked.
His brows creased in confusion.
He told his sister to wait then guided me to a park space.
"Alright we're here, what is it?" He asked.
How exactly do I say this to a complete stranger?
"Are you in any danger perhaps? like I said I'm a detective, you can tell me" he asked again with worry evident in his voice.
"No, not at all, I just ... .I kinda have a favor to ask, I just don't know how to put it" I said, this time staring at him.
God I can't do this, I should just leave.
He must have seen the nervousness in my eyes, so he smiled
"You can tell me ok, if it's something I can do, I would do it" he said.
Silence, I took in a breath and out.
"So…I kinda am in a bind right now, long story short, I lied to my roommate friends that I have a boyfriend, whom I'm expected to present at an event tomorrow, I know it seems silly but…. I really need to pull this off, to avoid embarrassment" I said finally, staring at him with my saddened eyes.
He blinked.
"Huh?" He said. "If I'm hearing right, "You're asking me to pretend to be someone I'm not… in front of people I don't know."
Now that he said it out loud it sounded stupid.
"I mean it's just stupid, I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry" I said and turned around to walk away.
"Wait" he said, I turned back around, he had his hands on his waist, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I have a feeling you're asking me this because you don't really have anyone to ask" he said.
I nodded. He sighed.
"That's a lot to ask, you're a stranger who's asking me to lie to another set of strangers" he said.
I didn't say anything. I didn't need to.
He stared at me again, he looked torn.
In the silence, I noticed things I hadn't before — the way he stood taller than me without trying, the tension sitting in his shoulders, the sharp focus in his eyes like he was trained to read situations before reacting.
He didn't look annoyed. He looked careful. Like a man weighing consequences, mulling the thought over in his head.
"Even if I decide to consider this, there'll be boundaries in place" he said.
Hope bloomed in my chest.
"No unnecessary touching, no personal questions, no emotional lines crossed. I leave early because of my sister—and this is one night only." He said. "I mean you're a stranger. I'm only considering this because you helped my sister."
"I will abide by all your rules, mainly because they protect me also, giving me a level of comfortability to do this with you" I answered.
"I was waiting for you to disagree," he said skeptically.
"Like I said, I'm very ok with the rules" I replied, eyes filled with hope.
He still looked at me with distrust.
"Look, I really don't mean any harm, I wouldn't ask this of you on a normal occasion, but when you said you didn't know how to thank me, it just came to mind and I decided to ask" I replied "I know you don't trust me, and you shouldn't, but I promise you, you're safe, "It's one night. You help me. Then we walk away."
He looked at me again, and went silent, I just knew he was thinking about it.
A thought came to my mind, if this too doesn't manage to convince him, then I'm going home empty handed.
"Open your phone please" I asked.
He looked at me confused but opened it anyway.
Then I took it, went to the recorder and hit record.
"I Grace Alabama, swear, that I will not do or involve Mr-" I looked at him.
"George Maxwell," he said.
"That I will not do or involve Mr George Maxwell "in anything that I would harm you, your career, or your reputation—and that I'll follow every rule you set." Then I hit save. And gave him back his phone.
He looked at me with mild surprise and amusement dancing on his lips.
"The way I see it, you're not ready to give up and just tell your friends the truth are you?" he said smiling.
"No"
He stared at me again, then sighed.
"Fine," he said, "I'll do it."
I stood stunned.
I should have felt victorious, but I didn't.
A quiet dread settled in my chest. They say one lie never stands alone—it calls another, then another, until the truth finally comes crashing down harder than honesty ever would.
But I'd already crossed the line. There was no turning back now.
And so, I stuck out my hand.
"We have a deal then," I said, smiling.
He took it, firm.
"Deal."