Page 12 of Faking Ties

Me: Hunter is at the coffee shop, and he wants to take me to dinner. What should I say? What should I do? I should definitely say no, right?

S: SAY YES

Me: You’re joking.

S: Nope, you need to say yes.

Me: All I read there is for me to say no.

S: Say yes. I’ll explain when you’re back.

I glancefrom Hunter’s confused face to the phone and back. Oh shit. I’m going to have to do it. I’m going to have to agree, and I don’t even know why I’m agreeing. Sure, he’s hot and talking to him is surprisingly fun, but I can’t afford to bring more media attention to Stella. Rachel made it clear I already messed up last night and now Stella’s giving me mixed signals. But, at the end of the day, it’s Stella’s life. Not Rachel’s.

“Okay, fine,” I say, resigned. “I’ll go to dinner with you.”

“Way to sound excited about it.”

I snort. “Sorry, it’s been a long day and I’m hangry. I guess we should exchange numbers so that you don’t have to visit every restaurant tonight looking for me.”

“I’d do it though. But a bat signal might be easier to spot you with.”

I grin. “I’ll be sure to find one.”

He rattles off his digits for me to put in my phone.

“You got a new one,” he says, nodding to the black device in my hand.

“Oh, yeah.” Shit, how did he notice that? “My other one was on its last breath. It’s time I upgraded, but I’m sad to give it up.”

His lips twitch. “Maybe you should hold a service for it and give it a proper goodbye.”

“Only if you’d officiate it.”

“I guess I have to now. Good ole Breaky, the best and most loyal phone in the world.”

“Breaky?” I huff out a laugh. “I thought she looked more like a Cracky.”

“That works too. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to get the name right for the service.”

“At seven tonight?” I ask.

“See you then. I’ll text you the address.”

I nod once before turning and speed-walking away. What the hell did Stella make me agree to? And why is my stomach swarming with butterflies at the thought of seeing him again?

ELODIE

“Why the hell did you tell me to say yes?” I ask Stella the second I’m back in the penthouse. “I thought we were going to”—I make a finger air quote sign—“monitor the situation? Let it blow over.”

“Yeah, that was Rachel’s idea,” Stella says, sitting on the couch and watching a reality TV dating show. “But I have a new one.”

“That sounds scary.” I collapse next to her and dig into my bagel. “You want a cinnamon bun?” I hold one out for her and she takes it.

“This slaps,” she says, taking a large bite.

“Sugar solves everything.”

“It does.” She grins before sobering. “Okay, so before you freak out about the Hunter thing, let me lay it out for you.”

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