Page 22 of The Wrong Date Deal

“Yeah. At least, this way, we both get to make a new friend, and we can have a decent time together, knowing we’re both on the same page.”

“The same page of not being interested in a relationship?”

“Exactly,” she said, laughing. “So much better than being forced to entertain someone who’s being told you’re interested in them, while you’ve got no interest at all.”

“I guess that is true.” He nodded slowly, seeming to relax. “Well, should we get a drink, then?”

“Absolutely.”

Piper followed him over to the drinks, quickly whipping out her phone to text August.The guy Claire is trying to set me up with is gay. Probably the best possible outcome from tonight, but, my god, is she oblivious!

It only took a second for August to reply.Haha. Typical. But hey, at least she’s helping all the gays stick together, I guess?

Piper laughed. The whole thing was ridiculous, but she didn’t mind making friends with Marco, and at least she had August to report to about these weird dates. It turned out their little deal really was making the whole dating thing a lot easier.

Chapter Six

Ford hadn’t landed on August’s doorstep for a whole week and she was worried. He’d only messaged her a couple of times, too, and only really when she’d messaged him first and asked a direct question.

She frowned, looking out the window of her office at the threatening, gray sky. Maybe she’d swing by his place after work to check everything was okay.

“Did you forget a coat today?” Meilíng’s voice called from the doorway to August’s office.

August smiled and looked away from the window. “No, no. I wasn’t worrying about the weather.”

Meilíng frowned in concern. “Then, what’s up?”

August waved her hand slightly. “Everything is fine. Just thinking about Ford.”

“Is he okay?”

August sighed. “I’m sure he’s fine—probably just busy.”

“But you’re worried?” She dropped into the chair on the opposite side of August’s desk.

“Yeah. He’s just got a lot on his plate, and he hates asking for help.”

“I’m guessing his roommates aren't any better?”

“Ha. No. And that’s what worries me. He’s got so much going on—classes, work, studying—and then they want him catering to their every whim. I wish he’d ended up rooming with other culinary students.”

“He doesn’t want to consider moving?”

August sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked in a minute, but you know how he felt about it last time.”

“Yeah… I’m sorry, August.” Meilíng smiled in a sad, sympathetic kind of way.

August shook her head. “It’s fine. Sorry. What can I do for you?”

Meilíng watched her for one long moment before deciding August was, in fact, ready to refocus on work. She nodded and lunged into a discussion about one of their current projects and some changes that were going to be made. The changes were going to add some work for August, but she welcomed thinking about that over worrying about Ford.

Half an hour later, right as Meilíng was wrapping up the conversation, she looked around surreptitiously—as if they had any chance of being overheard in August’s office. Apparently satisfied, she inched forward in her seat and leaned into August’s desk.

“Are you okay?” August asked as she watched Meilíng grin.

“We’ve barely had a chance to talk in weeks, so I’m asking now—how’s dating going?”

August blinked before she laughed. “You could have asked via text,” she pointed out, thinking of the multiple timesthroughout the last few weeks that they’d messaged each other outside of work.

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