Page 52 of The Fine Art of Faking It
They all regained their seats, and Eden swiped nervously at the frosting on her shirt.
“Please let me remind the committee that they are free to vote their conscience. Don’t worry about the devastating blow this could deliver to the individual who campaigned for this obviously perfect match,” Bruce announced dramatically.
If Bruce wasn’t careful, she’d deliver a devastating blow… to his face.
“Try not to be swayed by the fact that the BC has a perfect record in matchmaking and never before have we abandoned a couple in mid-match,” he continued.
The Beautification Committee members exchanged glances with each other.
“All those in favor of abandoning Eden and Davis when their tender love requires our support the most,” Bruce began. His voice squeaked. “I can’t look!” Bruce covered his eyes. “Amethyst, my pearl, please record the vote.”
Eden counted hands. Eva, Gia, Bobby, and Gordon were her new best friends, voting to free her from Davis Gates. She wanted to make out with all of them… except for maybe Gordon, who was still shirtless.
“All those opposed to this frivolous claim and who wish to stay true to our mission statement of providing lasting love for those in need of it?” Bruce asked.
With his eyes still covered, Bruce joined Amethyst, Rainbow, and Wilson raising their hands.
Well, shit.Eden crossed her arms.
“Well?” Bruce demanded, peeking through his fingers.
“It’s a tie vote,” Amethyst said in her quiet, mousy voice.
“How is that possible? Who didn’t vote?” Bruce demanded.
“That would be me,” Ellery said, gnawing on her pencil.
“Ellery, we’ve been friends for a long time,” Eden reminded her.
“Friendship has no place in the quest for true love,” Bruce snapped. “I forbid you to be swayed by such platitudes!”
“Nice attitude, Bruce.” Bobby rolled her eyes.
“What is your vote, Ellery?” Bruce demanded impatiently.
Ellery interlaced her fingers on the table in front of her. “I’d like to ask Eden a question before I cast my vote.”
“Ask away,” Bruce said grandly.
“Why don’t you and Davis work?”
Eden blinked. “Uh. Well, first of all, our families don’t get along for one. Two, we tried dating in high school, and it was a disaster. Three, we don’t even know each other. We’ve barely spoken in fifteen years.” She felt like an idiot, stumbling over an explanation that should have flowed as easily from her mouth as the Pledge of Allegiance.Had she really softened this much toward the man?
Ellery nodded, lips pursed. “I’m ready to vote.”
“You are?” Eden asked with a sinking feeling as her stomach dropped into her feet.
“I am in favor of continuing our matchmaking for Eden and Davis,” Ellery announced. The room erupted.
“What? Ellery! You’re supposed to be my friend!” Eden pointed out.
“I’ll be honest. I had my reservations over this match. I didn’t think that you could ever get past what happened in high school. But as your friend, you didn’t say that you found Davis gross or hateful or mean. You’re just going to have to trust us. You two are a good match. It’s time to forgive.”
“Time to forgive?” Eden sputtered.
“Just sit back and let us handle everything,” Gordon said, crossing his arms and kicking back in his chair. He tumbled over backwards and landed on his discarded shirt.
“Hear, hear,” Bruce said banging a gavel on the table in front of him. “I motion to close the public comments section of this meeting. With a stern warning to our matchee that she should heed our advice.”
