Page 77 of The Love Syllabus

Until my phone buzzes with a message from an unsaved number.

Unknown: Hi Kerry! I’m sure you weren’t expecting to hear from me, but I’d like to extend an olive branch. I know there’s been tension between us, but I want us to be friends. Me, you, and Vic. No love triangle this time??

Unknown:I’d love for us to go out to dinner one night and let bygones be bygones…

I stare at the screen, shaking my head. No, absolutely the hell not. I can’t wait to tell Vic about this terrible idea.

~~~

“I think it’s a great idea,” Vic says.

I blink, then pull the phone away from my ear, making sure I’m not hallucinating. “Huh? Who are you, and what did you do to my fake boyfriend?”

He laughs, low and teasing. “Relax, Kerry. I knew she’d text you. Our PR teams and the network have been all over this. Apparently, they think the best way to shut down the drama is for all of us to go out, take some pictures, and pretend everything is sunshine and rainbows.”

“So, you’ve been planning this with Krista?” My stomach twists at the thought, jealousy creeping in before I can shove it down.

“Hell no,” he says immediately. “You think I’d spend more time with her than necessary? I can barely stand to work with her.”

“Well, you could’ve given me a heads-up, Vic! You know I don’t like being bombarded like this.”

He sighs, apologetically. “You’re right, baby.”

Baby?

“I mean, Kerry. Uh… sorry about that.” He clears his throat. “Anyway, I should’ve told you first. I just figured you’d say no, so I needed to catch you off guard.”

I scoff. “Damn right I would’ve said no. Why the hell would I willingly sit across from Krista, pretending we’re best friends?”

“Because,” he says smoothly, “she’s been on her best behavior, and the network wants a photo op. Plus, her reputation took a big hit after she went after the town’s sweetheart.”

I roll my eyes, unimpressed. “Serves her right, but I need more convincin’, Mr. Grimes.”

I can hear the smile in his voice, and I know he’s about to lay it on thick.

“Kerry Ann Kind…” He draws my name out, slow and sweet, like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. “My sweet, sexy, intelligent… employee. Please, don’t make me beg.”

I let out a reluctant laugh, shaking my head. “Fine! But you owe me for this.”

“Thank you.” His voice is victoriously smug. “Now, what are you wearing?”

My mouth falls open. “Excuse me?”

“To dinner,” he says casually. “I need to know what kind of trouble I’m walking into.”

I roll my eyes. “Bye, Vic. Kiss the girls for me.” I hang up before he can say anything else.

~~~

Monday rolls in like a tsunami, a full-on disaster. I like my life drama-free, which means keeping my peace intact. But people like Krista? They thrive on chaos. Her energy is just so…dark. And while she hasn’t been a pest lately, I already do enough faking in my life. I don’t want to fake nice with her, too.

“Alright, Kerry, hold still, or I swear to God, I’ll poke your eye out.” Izzy warns, mascara wand in hand.

Serena lounges on my bed, sipping wine like she’s at a five-star spa instead of my boss’ home. “If Krista tries you tonight, you better channel your inner Rihanna and drag that hoe with grace.”

Kiera snorts, tossing me a pair of earrings. “No, screw grace. I say we take her ass out in the parking lot. We gotta channel freshman year at Clark.”

I sigh dramatically. “Y’all are acting like I’m preparing for war, not dinner.”

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