Page 79 of See Me

“I mean, if I was fake engaged to a smokeshow, shacking up with her, and trying to paint the picture of a happy couple, I would totally treat her how you just did.”

When I don’t say anything, he continues. “And if I had commitment issues and thought I was a piece of shit who didn’t deserve love of any kind, I totally wouldn’t use this opportunity to pretend and maybe see if I could be a good boyfriend. I mean, these opportunities are a dime a dozen. I always have fake girlfriends knocking on my door. And they all look like Ella. So, good idea chasing this one off. I’m sure the next one will be just as good. Smart and funny. Beautiful and ambitious. Question though… are you going to use the same apartment every time? That could get awkward, memories and stuff. I think every fake fiancé deserves a new apartment. So, for next time—”

“Get. Out.” I can’t seem to unclench my teeth to speak, but I manage to spit out the words.

“Sure, sure. Okay. See you later. Definitely stick with your strategy, though.” He leaves smiling.

Fucker.

The last thing I should be doing is actual boyfriend stuff. Even though I changed the peephole in her door this morning after she went to the library. That’s just landlord stuff. Not boyfriend stuff. And the food I brought over was for me to have something decent to eat. Not for her. She may wonder where her ramen went, though. Not my fault Tuesday ripped open the packaging and I had to throw them all away.

I mean, I know what it takes to be a good boyfriend. That doesn’t mean I’ll do any of it. And there’s no telling if she would be receptive to it, anyway. She’s completely unreasonable most of the time. All that would do is confuse the situation. I’m only doing this to save her princess ass from being hauled away by the douchebag in a suit.

I don’t have to prove I have what it takes to be a good boyfriend to gain some sense of validation from anyone. Least of all her. Or my dickhead brother.

So, if someone could please explain to my brain why I’m mentally cataloging boyfriend stuff just to see if I can get her to smile, that would be great.

Fuck.

TWENTY-FOUR

HERO WORSHIP

“Thank god you guys are here.”I come out of the restroom and head straight for the table when I see them already sitting with menus.

Alex stands to hug me and does a double take. “Wait… are you wearing an apron?”

I look at Cassie and she smiles. “It’s your story, babe.”

I flop into a chair. “Funny coming from the paid storyteller.”

“You work here?” Jen asks.

“I thought you were a teacher?” Alex cuts in.

I close my eyes and sigh. “I am. Or I will be in a few weeks.”

WhenI pause, Ashley cuts in. “You better start talking before Tinseltwat comes back with our drinks.”

I can’t help but snicker. “I’m so glad someone else feels the same way I do about her.”

Jess and Cassie both clear their throats, the universal girlfriend signal to shut your trap. Sure enough, Tomi stops at the end of the table, a string of Christmas lights strung around her neck, and freezes when she sees me sitting.

She scoffs and pops out her hip. “What are you doing?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m on break.”

Ashley tips her head back, nose in the air. “It smells like low tide in here.” Jen covers her face, Cassie bites her lip, and Alex busts out laughing.

Tomi rolls her eyes and sets the tray at the end of the table instead of passing out the drinks. “Says who? And I’m not serving you.”

“Says me,” Enzo comes over and drops my salad off at the table. “And I’ll serve her.”

The smile slides off Ashley's face and her eyes fall to the table. Enzo stops dead and clenches his jaw before turning on his heels and leaving; Tomi right behind him. No jokes, no flirting. What the heck?

I watch Enzo enter the locker room and I glance at Ashley.

She gives me a weak smile and shrugs. “So, what’s this emergency?”

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