Page 3 of Faking Ties

“It’s the best show ever made, and I won’t hear otherwise. But enough about me. Are you going to take this mysterious job that sounds like you’re doing something illegal?”

“It’s not illegal, and I’m not sure.”

“Does it hurt people?”

“Of course not.”

“Then if it’s not illegal, and it doesn’t hurt people, what’s stopping you?” she asks.

“I just… I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Darling, I say this with all the love I have for you, but you do realize you’re twenty-five and no longer a toddler? It’s time to flee the nest.”

I snort. “I guess I’m still in the needy phase.” Or more like she is. She’s not able to manage by herself for longer than a day, even if she pretends she can. “I’ve got to get to work, but why don’t you come to the diner while we wait for the AC to be fixed? I’ll even get you a slice of peach pie.”

“I’m okay here. I can’t show up at the diner looking like this.” She waves a hand at her sweaty self. “And I refuse to miss this episode.”

There’s no point in arguing with her. Mom’s the most stubborn person I know, and she won’t change her mind. Instead, I open all her windows and bring over the portable fan in my studio. Once she’s set up, I kiss her goodbye on the cheek.

On the walk to work, I call Nina.

“Hey, babe,” she says. “Have you seen the video? It’s at?—”

“Are you still talking to Greg?”

“Greg the handyman, or Greg the bartender?”

“Handyman. Mom’s AC is broken, and she’s dead set on waiting it out at home. Do you think he could fix it today and give me a deal?”

“I’ll call him now. But answer my question first. Have you seen how viral your video is? Everyone thinks you’re actually Stella Wilde.”

“Yeah… I’ve seen it.”

“What are you hiding?” she asks sharply.

“How do you know I’m hiding anything?”

“Pfft, I’ve been your best friend for almost twenty years. I know you’re withholding something from me.”

“Ugh.” I sigh, loving and hating how well she knows me. “Fine, but you can’t say anything to anyone or else I’ll be sued and in massive trouble.”

“Gotcha,” she says seriously. “Hit me with it.”

“Stella Wilde wants me to pretend to be her tonightat a charity event, and if that goes well, I’m going to take over for her on tour while she recovers from surgery.”

Silence.

That’s not the reaction I was expecting from her.

“Nina?” I ask, pulling my phone away and glancing at the screen to make sure we’re still connected. “Are you there?”

“Yeah.” She sucks in a sharp breath. “Just trying not to scream in the middle of work and cause a scene. Please tell me you said hell yes.”

“Not exactly.”

“What the hell is wrong with you? If you don’t accept it, I will on your behalf.”

“I can’t just up and leave Mom and my life,” I say.

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