Page 145 of Faux Real
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care,” I say, meeting his dreamy eyes. “It’s not important.Thisis important.” I squeeze the tips of his fingers. “You’re important.”
And I really mean it.
For real.
Epilogue
OLIVER
“Lookinggood,mate,”Isay, peering into the camera lens as I snap photos of Clifford. Sunlight shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Big Red Cog Headquarters, the rays bouncing off Cliff’s Rolex watch. “Look to the left.” He adjusts his tie and changes positions. “Yeah, that’s great.”
“How much longer?” Cliff whines, frowning. “The Times should be here any minute.”
“Just a couple more,” I say as the doors to Cliff’s office slam open. He grins, head snapping to the boisterous laugh of Maxine as she and Kenny strut toward us. He hops off the stool, and I shake my head, lowering the camera. “Guess we’re done here.”
Kennedy flashes me an apologetic look and mouths, “I tried, sorry!”
“It’s fine,” I wave her off. It’s not Ken’s fault. Distracting Maxine takes a fucking village. Love the girl like a sister but her constant “suggestions” make my job much,muchharder.
“Looking sharp, baby!” Maxine gushes, winking at Cliff. She turns to Kennedy, wiggling her brows. “Doesn’t my hubby look suave as fuck?”
“He sure does,” Kenny smirks, eyes locked on mine as she hands me a latte. “Super handsome.”
I grin, taking the coffee. “Please don’t undress me with your eyes while I’m working, love. It’s very unprofessional.”
Kennedy rolls her eyes. “Fine, I’ll undress Clifford instead.”
“The hell you will!” Maxine exclaims, casting Ken a playful scowl as she wraps her arms around Clifford. “Paws off, bitch.”
“Get over here,” I whisper, pulling Kennedy into a kiss as our newly wed friends make googly eyes at each other. When her lips brush against mine, it’s like I’m kissing her for the first time. My insides flutter and my heart beats frantically. It’s been five years and I’m still in awe. I pull back, stroking Ken’s hair as I gaze lovingly down at her. “So? Any word yet?”
“Not yet,” she sighs, hitching a shoulder. “But it’s only been a week since I’ve applied, and they probably have lots of applicants with much more experience and knowledge and background—”
“Stop,” I cut her off, shaking my head. “You’re going to get it, okay? Yes, I’m sure there are candidates morequalifiedthan you, but I doubt there is anyone morededicatedthan you, Kennedy.” I chuckle at her ridiculousness. “You finished a bachelor’sanda master’s degree in four and a half years, love. That ought to count for something.”
Kennedy rolls her eyes. “I guess so...”
“Is she whining again?” Maxine chirps, drawing our attention. She clicks her tongue, cocking her head at Kennedy. “Girl, will you relax? If they don’t hire you, then fuck ‘em, their loss. You’re going to be one hell of a social worker wherever you go, okay? Don’t stress.”
“Fine,” Kennedy mumbles as Cliff’s assistant knocks on the door. She sighs. “Looks like it’s show time, Cliff.”
Clifford’s face pales. “Okay...”
“Hey!” Maxine aggressively grabs Cliff by the tie, tugging him down to her level. “You are a goddamn rockstar, okay? You’re going to kill this interview! Nothing to worry about, baby. You got this!”
“Okay,” Clifford smiles, his tense body noticeably relaxing. He glances at his assistant, sucking in a breath. “Here goes nothing.”
“Go get ‘em tiger!” Maxine grins, slapping Cliff’s ass as he heads out of the office. She turns to me and Ken, giving me a knowing side-eye before saying, “Hey, Kenny, I forgot my phone in your car, can you grab it for me?”
“Here—” Ken holds out her car keys. “Go for it.”
Max’s lips twist up. “Canyoudo it? I don’t want to miss anything.” She pouts. “It’s Cliff’s first interview...”
“Fine,” Ken mutters with a skeptical frown. She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and whispers in my ear, “Whatever the two of you are up to, I don’t like it.”
When Kennedy is out of sight, Maxine lurches toward me. “Okay, so everything is set up and ready to go on the roof.” She pulls out her cell phone. “Everyone’s RSVP’d—”
“Even her dad?” I ask as we slowly make our way to where the reporter from The Times is prepping Clifford. “Last time I talked to him, he said it was a maybe.”
