Page 212 of Love in Riverbend
Why did I say that?
Ricky is quiet for a moment. “We could fake it.”
“Fake what?” My circulation warms.
“Fake a stable relationship. I mean, we’ve known each other since you were a kid.”
Great.
“You weren’t exactly an adult twenty years ago.”
“Fuck, Marilyn, you know what I mean. We come from the same hometown. We can make this seem like we’ve been together for a while. I could even say you’re my inspiration for applying to Parker and Stevens.”
“I don’t know…” I’m suddenly worried about who will be at the dinner. My social status isn’t a common conversation topic, but then again, during my time at the firm, I haven’t exactly acted like I’m in a serious long-term relationship.
My thoughts are going a million miles a minute when Ricky’s voice registers. “The dinner is on Friday. How about meeting me for a casual dinner on Thursday, and we can work out our cover story?”
There is something in his voice, comfort that comes with knowing the other person. It’s not that anything between us deserves that level of contentment, yet I think I hear it. My bravery sparks to life. “It sounds like you’re assuming I will say yes.” A grin he can’t see curls my lips. The longer I ruminate on this idea, the more the possibility of playing this role with him tantalizes my skin, sending much-needed endorphins through my bloodstream.
“If the firm is looking for stability,” Ricky says, “and I arrive sans a plus one, will it affect my likelihood of being hired?”
“Legally, it’s not a requirement for hire.”
“Did you have a plus-one?” he asks.
I take a deep breath, thinking of Bryce. “Yeah, it wasn’t fake. It also didn’t last.”
“But it could have helped with your hire?”
“I had completed my internship. Mr. Parker and Mr. Stevens knew my work ethic and could judge my experience.”
“Again, you played the game. That’s what I want to do.”
With me.
“Unless,” Ricky says, the confidence in his tone wavering. “Unless they know you’re not in a relationship…or maybe you are. I’m sorry. Fuck, Marilyn, I should have led with that question. I didn’t mean to step on some other guy’s toes. If you’re seeing someone…”
I don’t want to admit that my romantic status is less than nonexistent. Unless my vibrator counts. Since it never takes me to dinner, and I’m the one who pays for the batteries…
“Oh shit.”
I jump in. “No, that’s not it. I don’t work day-to-day with the partners. They have no idea of what my personal life involves.”
“So, this could work?”
I’m probably going to regret my decision. Nevertheless, I set aside that thought as I blurt out my answer, “I’ll do it.”
“Fuck? Really? You’re not trying to get back at me for being an asshole?”
“You admitted that at Devan’s wedding, but it wouldn’t hurt for you to worry about my sincerity throughout the partners’ dinner.”
Ricky scoffs. “Thursday, to set our story…”
“Matt the Miller’s Tavern in City Center. Do you know the place?”
“I do. Six thirty?”
There are probably a hundred reasons not to do this, but I don’t let my thoughts dwell on them. “Sounds good.”
