Page 96 of Ten Rules for Faking It
After working the on-location event Sunday, Monday came too quickly in Everly’s opinion. Stacey, who’d been quiet yesterday, nursing a hangover, was back in full form and ready to go. Everly pulled up the website on her laptop, glanced at Stacey as the music was winding down. She gave a nod, just to make sure they were on the same page.
“That was One Republic closing our thirty-minute, no-repeat set. I like their lead singer. He’s got so much energy. We should go see them the next time they’re in town, Evs,” Stacey said into the mic.
Everly shook her head, giving her a bland look. When Stacey started talking again, Everly’s eyes wandered to the glass. She hadn’t seen Chris yet today. He hadn’t shown up at the event, which wasn’t out of the norm, but a small piece of her had been disappointed. Which was silly, because she needed to straighten herself out before she saw him again. He scrambled her thoughts.
“Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, particularly you bachelors. As our wonderful listeners know, Everly has been narrowing her playing field as the weeks have passed. Just a recap for those of you joining us, who can still get in on the fun: Evs went on six dates. Three men advanced to the second date round. If you’ve been following along, you know those three are Owen, Brad, and Jon. With only two second dates available, listeners chose their favorite and Everly picked the other. Thankyou to everyone who shared their opinion. The choices have been selected. Evs, drumroll please.”
Everly pressed a button, indulging her friend. It was almost easy to pretend they were discussing someone else’s life.
“Our top two, going head-to-head for my girl’s affections are… Owen Baston and Jon Remeyer.” Stacey paused, letting Everly press a switch for a crowd clapping.
“The next stage of the competition works like this. Listeners get to read the bios online and pick their favorite of the two. Ultimately, it’s Everly who makes the choice, but those people who guessed correctly will be entered to win a very special prize. Your votes need to be in by midnight tonight. Everly’s last two dates will be this week with a final reveal next Monday. Have I mentioned how much I love you listeners? Who knew you were all a bunch of romantics? How about a love song to set the mood? Get to our website and cast your vote.”
Stacey pressed a couple of buttons and removed her headset, smiling at Everly. The music would play for another half hour. Normally, they’d head into a meeting, but Everly wanted nothing more than to go home, curl up on the couch, and forget about dating anyone.
Stacey came through the door they shared. “Hey. Wanna grab some lunch?”
Everly grabbed her bag, closed her laptop, shoved it in, and stood. “I’m pretty tired, actually.” She didn’t meet her friend’s gaze.
“Any idea what’s going on with Chris?”
Everly’s head snapped up. “What do you mean?”
Stacey watched her carefully, leaning against the doorjamb. She shrugged. “He and Noah came in before you got here this morning. Chris was on the phone, arguing with someone. They’ve been holed up in his office since. Something is going down. Jane wouldn’t give me any details.”
Everly laughed. “Because Jane isn’t a gossip.”
Stacey sighed. “Yeah. I know. But I like her, anyway.”
Walking toward the door, she waited for Stacey to move outof the way. She swallowed around her nerves—if Stacey sensed anything, she’d pounce. Everly didn’t know how to talk about the feelings ricocheting around her chest, so it was best to leave them untouched.
“We leaving?” Stacey waited a beat. “Everly?”
“Hmm?”
“Look at me.”
She lifted her chin, nibbling the inside of her cheek.
“I’m bringing lunch to your house. I’ll see you in twenty minutes.”
“Stace, I just want—”
“To pretend there aren’t a dozen things on your mind. To hide from everything until you have no choice but to face it. We’re going to talk. You’re going to open up to me, Dean.”
She wanted to feel indignant at Stacey’s bossiness, but this was her best friend. They didn’t keep things from each other until Everly had spiraled so far into her confusing feelings, she didn’t know how to voice them.
“If you say no, I won’t confide in you.”
Everly stiffened. “About what?”
Stacey leaned in. “I’m not telling. But it’s important. It’s real. You’re the only person I want to talk to about it, but if we don’t do that anymore…”
Everly’s lips quirked. “Stop. Point made. Grab sushi. We’ve had too much junk food lately.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Everly left work laughing, doing her best not to think about all the things she needed to say. Words, like feelings, couldn’t be stuffed back into the boxes they belonged in once a person let them out. Which was why it was good she and Chris hadn’t kissed the other night. Who needed that kind of complication? A relationship with him—not that he’d said he wanted one, just that he’d wanted to kiss her—would be something like her parents’. Exciting one moment, uncertain the next. Even as friends,that was how it’d been so far. Everly didn’t like roller coasters—figuratively or literally.
