Page 17 of Counterfeit Connection

Mika starts laughing while I attack hug Kat. “See, what did I tell you? I knew it was going to be your time.”

“Don’t jinx it yet. I made it past the first voice audition. Friday will be the dance and monologues. After that, we can really celebrate. But for today, two for one Tito’s and cranberry for me.”

“I’ll go get those,” Mika says. “My treat to celebrate you getting a call back.”

“Thank you!” Katarina shrieks again before sitting next to me. “I’m acting excited, but I’m so freaking nervous.”

“I know you are, but this is it. I don’t know how I know, but I do.”

“Shh. You heard me about jinxing.”

I mime zipping my lips and tossing away the key.

“All right,” Mika says, returning just a few minutes later. “Tito’s and cran for the lady.”

“You’re a doll,” Katarina replies. “But enough about me.” She points her finger in my direction. “You took off from Elliot’s last night without telling me a single thing about Mr. Hot British Guy. Spill the deets.”

“Wait.” Mika perks up. “Who is Mr. Hot British Guy?”

“Griffin. His name is Griffin, and I just hadn’t had the chance to mention anything yet. Why are you two circling me like hawks?”

Mika raises her hand. “This is new information to me. I’m allowed to circle for a minute.”

“And I was present for the entire thing, but on the outside. I deserve some juicy details. Don’t leave anything out.”

“It’s not a big deal. He wanted to apologize for nearly punching out that customer for talking to me like shit.”

Mika nearly spits out her cosmo all over me. “So you mean to tell me, you have a hot man with an accent who, literally, was about to beat the crap out of someone for you when he barely knows you, and this is the first I’m hearing about this? Ma’am, this should have all been in my hot little hands after good morning and here’s your coffee.”

“Today was packed with other work things. I guess I’m still trying to figure it all out too,” I tell her.

“Spill the beans,” Mika says with grabby hands. “Gimme everything.”

She wants everything, she gets everything. I tell her about the brusque nature of our first interaction, the shitty customer he scolded for me, showing back up for brunch, and even how he waited most of the day for me so we could have a meal together.

“And then he gave me this.” I pull his business card from the hidden pocket on the inside of my purse. “Because he said he wants to hang out again sometime before he leaves. He even said we should bring our friends.”

“What?!” Katarina shrieks. “He invited us to hang out with him and his hot friend? Why aren’t we there right this second?”

“Down girl.” Mika laughs.

“Mika, you wouldn’t be saying that if you saw him. This man has the most perfect brown skin. His shoulder-length hair was perfectly braided in little braids and pulled back down his long neck. He has the type of delicate facial hair you can’t wait to glide across your…”

“Whoa!” I hold up my hands. “Leave the smut to the romance novels. I don’t need to hear your fantasies in details I won’t forgetifwe see them.”

Mika sighs. “If? What is this if bullshit? Tell me there’s a third friend in this scenario for me. You had me at accents, suits, and grand fucking gestures.”

“Doesn’t it all seem a little intense? I mean, I don’t even know him.”

“How do you think relationships begin? Everyone starts as strangers,” Mika replies.

“You’re getting way ahead of yourself there. Who said anything about a relationship?” I take a large chug from my drink.

“That, I’ll agree with,” Katarina says with a smile. “We should hang out with them for the sole purpose of hooking up. See. Easy-peasy.”

“What am I going to do with you?” I shake my head.

“Um, that’s easy. Take me to meet Hot British Guy’s hot British friend. Obviously.”

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