Page 14 of Faking Ties

Jeggings: Okay, here is the address. See you soon.

I showStella the address and she squeals in excitement. “I love that place. There’s a small room in the back that’s private so you all can have a conversation without being interrupted.”

“Yay, me,” I say sarcastically.

“Come on.” Stella stands and pulls me to her closet. “I have the perfect outfit for you.”

When she said she had the perfect outfit, I wasn’t expecting her to pull out a dark blue dress with spaghetti straps and a pleated skirt that’s so short I’m afraid I’m going to flash someone if I sit. Maybe that’s what she meant by perfect—show my va-jay-jay and it’ll close the deal between Hunter and me.

I sigh. This isn’t what I signed up for, and I have zero interest in dating anyone, let alone Hunter. Needing a distraction, I message Nina when I’m in the car and on the way to the restaurant.

Me: Thanks for throwing in some black thongs because even though I’m borrowing S’s dress right now, I draw the line at sharing underwear with her.

Nina: That’s what friends are for. Where are you heading?

Me: I don’t want to talk about it.

Nina: Now you have to.

Me: I’m going on a date with Hunter.

Nina: Stooooop. You’re so lucky. The look on his face in those photos when he was staring at you? I’d pay for someone to look at me like that. Just don’t be stupid, make sure he wears a condom.

Me: Ew, I’m not going to have sex with him. He’s a player and you know how I feel about those.

Nina: But one time wouldn’t hurt.

Me: Yes, yes it would.

Nina: Ugh, fine. Be like that. But I expect a full recap when you get here tomorrow.

Me: Can’t. I have an NDA.

I talkedRachel into letting me go home tomorrow to pack up some things and check on Mom. Rachel relented after Stella insisted it’s okay. Rachel smirked and said I’ll be starting bootcamp when I return to learn everything for the tour. Her smile scared me, as if she knows something I don’t. At least I have around three weeks before Stella’s next show to learn everything.

When we pull up to a black building with floor-to-ceiling windows and an awning, Brian opens my door for me. There are no paparazzi here, and I somehow manage to exit without flashing anyone. The second my foot touches the ground, Hunter opens the front door of the restaurant, as if he was waiting for me to arrive.

“You look gorgeous,” he says, coming to my side. He dressed up. Long gone are the jeggings and floral shirt and in their place are black dress pants and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up a few times.

“I’ve got it from here,” he says to Brian, tucking my arm in his. I love that even wearing heels, Hunter is taller than me. Brian gives Hunter a once-over, all six feet and six inches of him. He nods once and Hunter whisks me into the restaurant and into the back room that Stella told me about. Some people gasp when they spot us, but no one tries to approach. I guess Hunter could become a bodyguard if his football career doesn’t pan out for him.

Hunter pulls out a wooden chair and gestures for me to sit in it. The room is cozy and cute with brick walls and wooden furnishings.

“I have something for you,” he says, sliding me a black, silky box about the size of my hand.

I pull it in front of me, open it, and…it’s empty. What in the world? I glance at him and he’s grinning like he just gave me the best present.

“Thanks for giving me an empty box, I guess?” I say, still confused about what’s going on.

“It’s the coffin for Cracky. I take my officiating duties seriously,” he says, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket. “I also have a eulogy for her. Do you want me to read it?”

My jaw drops open and my gaze bounces between the box, the paper, and to him. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

“Well then, I have to hear it.”

He clears his throat in an exaggerated way. “We gather today not to mourn,but to celebrate the life of a true companion:Cracky. Though she’s no longer with us, let us not forget her many contributions.She captured those questionable life choices at two a.m. with unmatched clarity.She facilitated those awkward autocorrect fails that became legendary in Stella’s group chats. And who could forget the countless times she went skydiving off Stella’s lap,only to be revived with a desperate prayer and a frantic button mash?She’s been a true trooper until the very end.”

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