Page 26 of Not Safe For Work

I laugh, and silently agree, even as I remind myself this is one hundred percentfake.

He throws an arm around me again. “So screw Ian. Let’s not waste our time on him. Wanna play a round of bocce?”

We find Gabby, who won’t stop glaring at me for some reason, and then Daanesh so we have a foursome. And then we wait in line with everyone else who’s looking to play.

“So, I heard Churro has a newbestie,” Gabby says, nudging my arm. The guys went to get another round of drinks, and I’m not feeling great about being alone with Gabby. Her tone feels accusatory, like I’ve wronged her in some way.

“He’s adorable. And I love all his little accessories. Gavin said your girlfriend made them all?”

“Yeah. She’s incredible. I know.” Gabby’s reply is about as friendly as a wasp.

“Did I, umm, do something to offend you?” We’ve never interacted much at work, but I hang out by the marketing pod a lot and we’ve never had an issue.

“Just be nice to my brother, okay?”

“Okay…you know we’re just?—”

I’m cut off when the guys return, Gavin handing me another Aperol Spritz.

“Olivia, Gavin just told me the news,” Daanesh says, leaning into the middle of our little foursome. “You can’t tell anyone I said this, but he’s a nice upgrade. I mean, we all love Ian,” he clarifies, his eyes bobbing over my head searching for eavesdroppers. Then he drops his voice to a whisper. “But I wouldn’t want to date him.”

We all start to laugh, though I’m pretty sure Gabby’s is fake—still no idea what’s going on there—when we’re interrupted again, byanotherfounder.

“Hey, Vaughn,” Gavin says.

“Just heard the news. What could this beautiful girl be doing with your sorry ass?”

Vaughn, who I’ve never actually had a conversation with, decides it’s okay to wrap an arm around my shoulders, while simultaneously talking about me as if I’m not here. Not wanting to engage, I turn to Gabby, who actually looks sympathetic.

But Gavin takes it in stride. “I know. I’m a lucky man, what can I say?” He expertly removes me from Vaughn’s arm and starts fiddling with my braid again. I wonder if all these little touches give him the same kind of comfort they do for me. I lean into him a bit, partially to play the part and partially because I just want to.

“I’m the lucky one.” I don’t know where the line comes from. Maybe I’m a better actress than I thought. Gavin’s smile seals it. We’re crushing the fake-dating trope right now.

“So, how did you get together anyway?” Vaughn asks Gavin, still not acknowledging me.

And then I panic, because of all the things we have discussed to get to know each other better, not once did we come up with a story to tell. Pros, we are not.

I try to catch Gavin’s gaze and momentarily get lost in his eyes. They’re the same color as the bay right now, the sun making them glow. He’s still smiling, those perfect dimples making an appearance. Damn, my fake boyfriend is hot.

Gavin doesn’t seem to be having the internal crises that I am though. He coolly replies, “We’ve been sitting across from each other for two and a half years. Have you seen her? She’s like…a different kind of beautiful. The second I found out she was single I made my move.”

A different kind of beautiful. What does that mean? I try to catch Gavin’s eyes but he’s still looking at Vaughn.

“So you’ve just been pining away all this time?” Vaughn mocks.

“Pretty much.” This time, Gavin’s eyes meet mine. I can’t tell if he’s trying to sell the story or just urging me to go along with it, but there’s definitely some hidden meaning, some silent language he wants me to understand with this look. “I would’ve asked her out during her interview, but I think that’s frowned upon.”

CHAPTER NINE

GAVIN

32 Months ago

Another one?I’ve already done four interviews today and I’m damn near exhausted. I really do try my best to be engaged with each person, but recruiting has passed through some major duds lately.

Sure, sales development roles are entry-level, but the goal is to promote them over time. Experience isn’t necessary. I just need someone who can carry on a conversation. The airport test is my rule. Could I be stuck sitting next to this person in an airport, waiting out a delayed flight? If yes, they might make it in sales. We can teach the product, but we can’t teach having a personality.

Just before I get up from my desk, my cell vibrates in my pocket.

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