Page 53 of Off the Wall

“How much of a difference?”

“Ten thousand dollars.” She wrinkles her nose. “I found out the day Dorothy decided to die on me, so that’s been a lot. With the shop and the car and the whole dating app thing.”

“Right.” My jaw shifts. As if I’d forgotten about Swipe Rite. “Your roommate roped you into joining, didn’t she?”

“Hayden got the ball rolling,” Nori confirms. “But ultimately, I agreed.”

My chest goes tight. “Can’t go wrong with Swipe Rite, huh?”

“To be honest, I never would’ve said yes …” She glances around again like she’s making sure we’re still out of earshot. “But they’re paying me to be their featured single for their new Spring Into Love campaign.”

I blink. “Their what?”

“Their featured single.”

“Whoa.” I run a hand over my scalp, stunned. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“I’m really not supposed to tell anyone.” Nori turns her volume down even lower. “Hayden knows because she submitted my name for the promo. And you were in the courtyard with us when we talked about it, so.” She hitches her shoulders. “You’ve got to keep this a secret, okay?”

“Sure thing.” I bob my head, acting casual, even as alarm bells sound in my brain. “How does that even work?”

Nori wipes her hands down the front of her apron. “In a nutshell, Swipe Right’s matching me with ten men to take me on ten sponsored dates. And they’re tracking everything on social media as advertising.” She grimaces. “It’s kind of weird, but I need the money.”

Now my gut’s officially churning. On the one hand, I’m glad Nori’s not actually interested in a dating app. On the other hand, I shouldn’t care about who or how she’s dating. And on the third hand … “How many dates have you gone on?”

No, I don’t have three hands.

But I do have a little too much interest in Nori.

“Four so far,” she says. “My fifth one’s tonight.”

I gulp down the bile in my throat. “Met anyone promising yet?” I ask this like any answer she gives is going to make me feel better.

Spoiler alert: It’s not.

“No one special, but they’ve all been nice.” She sighs. “They do background checks on everyone, so at least I’m safe. Although Jemma—she’s the promo coordinator—did mention they may have to throw in a not-so-great match for me soon.”

“Like tonight?” My insides coil tighter. “What does that mean?”

“The marketing team just wants to make sure the promotion reflects reality. Not every match from a dating app is going to be a home run.”

Home run. I flinch at the word. For so many reasons. “Yeah, I guess not.”

“They think sharing footage of at least one dud date will keep their members’ expectations managed.”

Concern pinches my forehead. “In other words, you have to be miserable on purpose?”

“It won’t be that bad,” she says. “I just have to survive one awkward dinner. And those posts will probably get more traction than the good dates. The internet loves that kind of thing.” Nori presses out a chuckle, but I stay quiet long enough that she ends up frowning. “Something wrong?”

“Nah.” I shake my head. “I was just wondering if it bothers you.”

“Does what bother me?”

“Being on display like that during your dates. Seeing what people say about you online afterward.”

“Honestly? I don’t look. It’s not part of my contract, so I mostly avoid engagement.”

My stomach hollows out as I think about all the articles and posts about me four years ago. “I wish I’d been better at that.”

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