Page 25 of Sweet Caroline

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But who just spontaneously agrees to go on a fake date to a fundraiser they know nothing about? I can’t tell if he’s a fool or my savior. Heck, maybe he’s both.

When I get home from work, Sadie’s taken Grandpa for a walk and the house is quiet. I’m grateful for the silence so I can figure out what I’ve gotten myself into. What I’ve draggedMilesinto.

I pull out my phone.

Me

You sure you’re up for this fake date thing?

I try to bite back a smile when three dots immediately start to bounce on my screen.

Green flag.

Miles

We fooled that dickhead at the gym, didn’t we?

Figure we can do it again.

Images of Miles in his gym gear rush into focus. Oh, God. He’s gonna lookgoodin a tux.

Then my stomach drops when I realize I forgot to tell him about the dress code.

Me

It’s a black tie event. Will that be a problem?

Miles

Nah, don’t worry, I clean up nice.

I bet he does. He’s got this rugged, tousled-hair thing goingwhere he looks like he’s just tugged on a worn T-shirt between cups of coffee and a walk in the forest with his dog. Probably some derpy rescue mutt with a tongue bigger than its face.

Anxiety once again wraps around my chest. I don’t even know his last name, for God’s sake. Does hehavea dog? Siblings? A meth lab?

I try to talk myself down from freaking out. Meth dealers probably don’t hit the gym before seven in the morning—or need to work construction jobs.

My thumbs fly over the screen.

Me

What’s your last name? And your address?

Miles

You gonna run a background check or something?

I can’t tell if he’s serious or not.

Should I tell him there’s a real chance my father will do exactly that?

Me

I figured these are the basic facts I would know about my own boyfriend.

And I need to know where to pick you up on Saturday.

He sends his address, and I quickly save it to his contact info for later.

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