Page 55 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“And why is this your problem?” Bailey presses again, still needing clarification.
“I’m getting to that—Jack is not married, and the town is basically looking at him as an untrustworthy flight risk of a bachelor, so he’s paying me to be his fake girlfriend for the next month or so to get on their good side during all the transitions.” This might be the first time I’ve seen all three of my very opinionated, outgoing friends speechless.
The four of them continue to pelt me with questions for the remainder of the evening, and by the time I get back to my place, all I can think about is Jack. I wonder if he’s still up, but then I remember our little late-night run-in in the kitchen.
I plop down on my bed and pull my phone out of my purse.
Me: Are you still up?
Three dots immediately pop up at the bottom of my screen, sending my stomach into full somersaults.
Jack: You know that I am.
I quietly giggle and pull a pillow over, squishing it underneath me.
Me: Having a midnight snack?
Jack: As a matter of fact, I am standing in the kitchen enjoying a sandwich right now.
Jack: How was dinner?
Me: It was good. I told them about us. I hope you don’t mind.
Jack: They’re your best friends, I understand.
I smile, and another message comes through.
Me: Thank you. All three had interesting reactions and fired off questions at me the entire night.
Jack: I’d figured they’d do something like that.
Me: Are you sleeping in my bed?
Jack: Your bed?
Me: Yes, that’s my bed.
Jack: It smells like you.
My face is on fire. Oh my god, I hope that’s a good thing.
Me: I hope that’s not a bad thing.
Jack: It’s an irreplaceable thing.
I’m not quite sure what he meant, but the airy feeling in my chest tells me that Jack is flirting with me. I’ve missed him the last two days. The feeling isn’t the same as traveling for work or being in a long-distance relationship. It’s like being in an anxious, unsettled state.
Me: Can I call you when I’m in bed to say goodnight?
All my muscles tense as I wait for his response. My question was bold, yes, but I had to ask.
Jack: Of course.
I get a surge of energy and quickly spring off my bed to hop into the shower. When I get out, I brush my teeth and put on my pajamas. I turn off the lights and climb underneath the covers. With my heart racing, I hold my phone up in front of me, the light from the screen almost blinding in this dark room. I scroll to his name, hit call, and put it on speakerphone.
“Hello.”
I mold myself into the mattress the minute Jack’s calming voice washes over me. “Hi.”
