Page 4 of Fake It Till You Make It

Amarie loved her best friend’s youngest sister, but herbehavior ventured more into a drunken Friday night than her name led one to believe. Not counting the cost of surrendering to her parents’ desires had landed her with Russell for six years. Amarie had to make her own decisions moving forward.

“Shh.” Amarie gripped Vali’s too-still fingers, stroking life back into them. “I have to do something different, Vali. There’s nothing holding me in the city. Maybe Mother Universe will remodel my life into something spectacular.”

Vali nodded wordlessly, dabbing away her tears. “Yeah… yeah, that heifer owes you big-time. Now,” Vali cleared her throat, all business again, “how do you plan to make money in tiny town West Virginia?”

“This.” Amarie pulled the Service county bulletin from her purse, the one she’d grabbed from a sidewalk newsstand, smoothing out the wrinkles before handing it over. Vali studied the handsome soldier in full dress uniform on the front page. His hunter-green eyes had snagged Amarie’s attention, too, but the veterinary clinic job announcement had made her heart flutter.

“The head shape is better than Russell’s, but that doesn’t say much about the brain matter.”

“Argh,” Amarie rebuked. “Ignore the man. Read the employment listing below his photo.” Yep, singular. There was only one business hiring in the entire town.

Vali’s eyes drifted lower, then she started reading.

“Help wanted at Calvary Family Veterinary Clinic.” She looked from the announcement to the majestic house on the hill with the posted sign. “Oh, now it all makes sense.” Amarie sighed in relief, not having to spell it out anymore. “You’ve been stalling trying to drum up the right words to tell me you’re staying here.”

“Yes. No. Wait.” Amarie jerked. “How did you know?”Before Amarie could explain her decision, which was totally unnecessary, her friend was in action.

“How long have we been friends?” Vali planted her right hand atop Amarie’s headrest, angled her head until she had a clear view over the luggage, and rolled the car backward toward the parking area.

“Is this a trick question because I’m really vulnerable right now?”

“You are so adorkable when you’re nervous,” Vali laughed, turning the wheel.

“That transparent, huh?”

“Just a little, but it’s cool. I’ll walk you to the door, bestie.”

Amarie was a curvy balloon of emotions looking for a sharpened pinpoint. Beneath her, she felt the hybrid’s silent vibration against her full bottom as Vali shifted the car in reverse, parallel parking next to a vintage American-made car filling one of the spots markedFOR PATIENTS ONLY. What sense did that make for a veterinary clinic? The patients didn’t drive themselves. Someone in this house had a sense of humor. Good, she’d be the perfect addition.

“Thanks.” Amarie swallowed. Vali pocketed the keys. With the added seconds, Amarie used the time to focus on the task ahead: radiating confidence and making a stunning first impression.

“Since you are refusing to return home and this is the only gig in town, they’ll have to tell us the job is taken and to get gone to our faces.”

And just that quickly, her surety in her ability faded. She sucked her lower lip between her teeth as her stomach looped into a new knot. Beads of sweat heated her top lip and she quickly licked the salty-tasting droplets away. “What if the job’s gone—”

One squeeze to her sweaty hand stopped the negative thought. “Girlfriend, you’re going to get this job.”

“You think so?” Maybe this was another mistake.

“Is my name Vali with an ‘Ali’?” A reference to the best heavyweight boxer ever, Muhammad Ali.

“But—but I’m not formally trained for anything.”

Vali raised a finger. “Hush, puppy.” She grinned. “Your best friend is going to walk your scared butt to the first day of school.”

“Work.” Amarie rolled her eyes. “And kiss my booty.”

“After your first paycheck, look up that soldier boy from the bulletin for a booty call,” Vali laughed.

“Nope. The dating pool is full of pee.” Amarie swallowed.

Vali gave her a look of horror. “Ew… that is a powerful visual. It’s funny, nasty even for a nurse, but powerful.”

“It’s also true.” Her best friend, having experienced the messy side of relationships, couldn’t refute the facts.

“Relationships are simple, Mari. We women have to decide which men need to get gone from our lives, then we focus on the one who is ready for the altar. Simple.”

“Save your quick tips. As of today, I’m keeping my mouth and legs closed. I want a job. I’m saving money to fix Prince, studying daily to pass the licensure exam, and focusing on the sorority of one, me-phi-me. That’s the promise to myself.”