Page 188 of The Fake Date Agreement

It’s a mild evening that didn’t require a coat. The sky is medium blue with the occasional twinkle of an early star in the sky. I’m earlier than I wanted to be, but I was too afraid I’d be late so I started on my hair and makeup way sooner than I needed to.

I did my makeupslowly, taking my time to get my winged eyeliner perfect, blusher exactly the way the makeup artist at the nice mall had shown me, and a green-gold eyeshadow to match my dress and make my eyes pop.

I have never gotten my makeup this perfect in all the times I’ve tried, and I tried hard, not wanting to look nice for this fancy dinner. I wanted to look perfect for Reid, Caleb, and Javier, who may or may not be getting ready to dump me tonight.

My hair was another big job. I’ve lost a lot of hair over the years because of Hashimoto’s. A lot of it has grown back, but my shoulder-length brown hair is thinner than it used to be. I put curls in around my face and tied the rest up. It’s not over-the-top amazing, but I think it looks elegant.

At six, I was dressed and ready to go.

As I sat around, all I could think about was the talk we’re going to have tonight.

Originally, I was going to meet the guys at their dorm, or they would pick me up at mine, but at the last minute, Caleb had something to do with his brother, and then Javier and Reid were going to have a drink with a couple of guys from the team before the party. At least, I thought it was going to be a couple. Then I learned it was going to be the whole team. And I… chickened out of going.

The restaurant meal ended up being great. Eventually. But with the stress of the talk we’re going to have after this party, a big crowd would only trigger my social anxiety which is not what I needed.

We agreed that I would meet them at the hotel. It’s a decision I regret as I make my way to the hotel’s entrance, smiling nervously at the doorman who opens the door for me.

“Ma’am.” He nods.

I don’t think I’ve ever been ma’amed so much in my life. It must be the fancy dress.

The lobby is white marble and gold, without a doubt the most incredible place I’ve ever been in my life.

The front desk, which looks like a piece of floating white marble, is on my far-right side, with gray chairs facing it for people who are checking into the hotel. Beyond that is a wall of elevators on my left that lead up to the hotel rooms.

A gold plaque points to the ballroom, where the party is happening tonight. Only when Reid, Javier, and Caleb arrive willI go inside. Caleb texted to say I was on the list, so if I wanted to go inside, all I’d need to do was say my name. But there are sponsors and other important people there that I’d rather not embarrass myself in front of.

I slowly pace the lobby, nodding at the suited hockey players and their elegantly dressed girlfriends when they enter the hotel and pass me to get to the ballroom.

And I never stop glancing at the delicate gold clock above the check-in desk.

They said they would be here before seven, and we’d all go in together.

“Are they not here yet?” a female voice calls out.

I twist around to face Hallie, beautiful in a pale pink, off the shoulder silk dress that pairs perfectly with her blonde hair and glowing tan.

“No.” I smile. “Wow, you look amazing.”

“Not half as beautiful as you. I’m dressing to impress,” she announces.

“Good luck with that, Princess.” A dark-haired guy with startling green eyes, pats her head patronizingly as he passes her, and she grits her teeth.

“You realize no girl would ever want anything to do with you, right, Theo?”

He smirks at her. “I’m definitely having better luck with the girls than you’ve had with Coach Conner.”

She rolls her eyes and focuses on me. “Come on in. They can’t be far behind us.”

I shake my head. “I said I’d wait for them here. Thanks.”

I need to look Javier, Caleb, and Reid in the face out here, so I know whatever talk we’re going to have after this party is not going to be bad news.

If they’re tense or distant, I’ll come up with an excuse to slip away and avoid a three-person dumping. These shoes are notdesigned to stand on for hours, so after the first thirty minutes of pacing the lobby, I sit in one of the boucle chairs near the check-in desk.

At seven thirty, I pull my cell phone from my purse and call Caleb.

It rings out.

---