Page 18 of The Great Dating Fake Off
“Solidarity?” Alessia offers her closed fist.
Benji eyes it like it’s a contagion for a few seconds before he figures out he’s supposed to bump it.He finally does. Kinship, sealed with knuckles.
Nora follows suit, one of her rings clinking against one of Alessia’s.
It’s finally almost my turn to check in at the counter.
“It’s about time,” says Alessia. “We’ve got cocktail hour and then dinner soon. Enzo and Ro scheduled more group activities than a sorority during rush.” Alessia gestures at the two of them. “How are you related to the bride, anyway?”
Benji scans the lobby. “Rosalina is my sister.”
Alessia’s eyes widen and she points at him. “Oh shit. Your sister is marrying my brother?”
Benji points back at her. “Enzo has a sister?”
“A twin sister, no less. But I’m a half inch taller, be sure to rub that in when you see him.”
“I know nothing about the guy or your family other than that we hate you,” he says firmly. “I keep to myself.”
“And I know nothing about your family other than that our dads once beat the daylights out of each other.” Alessia cackles and grabs the handle of her suitcase. “God, I hope your dad landed a few good punches. My dad could use them. Anyway, see you tonight? You’re definitely staying?”
Nora turns her doe eyes Benji’s way. “Are we?”
Benji takes a long look at her and blows out enough air to power a small windmill. “Fine. If we’re going to do this—which, apparently, we are—at least we’ll have allies, as you said.”
Nora squeezes his elbow. “Great. It’s settled.”
With that, it should feel settled.
But an uncomfortable buzzing beneath my skin screams loose end.
“Can I talk to you for a second about Boys and Girls Club stuff?” I blurt at Nora. “Confidential stuff about one of my mentees you’ll need to know when you’re facilitating their event?”
That was as smooth as a jagged blade, but what’s done is done.
She scratches the side of her neck. “Uh—now?”
Alessia has already busied herself with her phone, and I’m not sure when else I’ll be alone with Nora. “Yes. It has to be now.”
“Sure thing.”
I guide us out of earshot, keeping my eye on the line so she doesn’t miss her turn. “Listen, we have maybe a minute, so I’ll keep this brief. I’m not sure if you were picking up what I was putting down back at the bookstore…”
I trail off and wait for some understanding to dawn on her face.
Instead, her stare is blank. “What?”
“I was going to ask you out,” I say, my neck heating. Was I too subtle, or is she too innocent to tell when a man is checking her out?
“You were?” Her eyes… Damn it all, they light up like the July fourth sky. “I wasn’t sure. I mean, I’d hoped you were.”
I groan internally, pressure increasing between my ribs. She wants me to ask her out. Or wanted, before we both waltzed into fake relationships that neither of us can jeopardize.
So much for clearing my head of this girl.
Knowing she was fully interested is going to haunt me, but I’m going to have to force myself to forget that interest if I have any hope of making it through the week. I’m talking Men-in-Black level of mind erasure.
“Obviously none of that can happen now,” I clarify. “We are both in iron-clad situations that require our full attention while we’re here. And in your case, maybe longer?”
