Page 14 of Cabin Mate

“Until now?” I tease.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Awfully sassy for someone who didn’t know the difference between there, their, and they’re.”

I scoff and pop the collar on my lab coat. “You see, because of my brilliance in science and mathematics, there’s no room up there for all the various adaptations of there.”

“And what’s your excuse for not knowing the difference between the spelling of the deer doe and cookie dough?” The corner of her mouth turns up slightly.

I match her expression. “You’re not very good at buttering people up before asking for a favor.”

She sighs. “You’re right. I’m sorry. You’re the most brilliant, wonderful, amazing, best friend a girl could ask for.” She looks at me with big, puppy-dog eyes.

“That’s better,” I say sarcastically even though I twitch internally every time she refers to me as friend.

She grows serious again. “I need a date for my sister's wedding.”

I feel the color leave my face and my eyes get wider. Molly Vanderbilt, the girl I’ve been pining over for years, is asking me to be her date.

And I can’t say yes.

“Well‌,” she continues. Her hand goes up once more to play with her collar. “It would be even better if my date was … like a boyfriend.”

I’m not sure how it’s possible, but my eyes widen even more. They must be the size of a doe right about now … The deer doe, not cookie dough.

“Not an actual boyfriend!” she adds, laughing uncomfortably.

The more she speaks, the more confused I become. I hold a hand out in front of me, urging her to stop.

Molly links her hands together behind her back and rocks on her heels like she’s in the principal's office getting a lecture.

“Molly, what exactly do you need me to do? This is me. I’m not here to judge you. Just tell me what’s going on.”

She releases a deep breath and unlaces her hands, bringing one to her forehead and rubbing it as if she has a headache. “I know, I’m sorry. My sister is turning me into a lunatic.”

Molly sits on the stool right next to me, close enough I can smell her perfume … Chanel No. 5. Her signature scent. I want to bathe in it.

“Mildred is already bugging me to get back together with Todd and I know my mother will do the same thing …” She bites her bottom lip adorably before continuing. “I thought if I brought a date to the wedding—which she’s insisting I do—and everyone thought that date was someone I’m serious about …” she trails off, leaving me to put it all together for myself.

“Like … a boyfriend?”

“Well, yeah. A fake boyfriend. And then maybe everyone will stay off my case.”

I close my eyes, wishing so badly I could say yes to her request. “Molly, you know I'd do anything for you. Anything.” I pause. “But if I break the terms of the bet ...”

“I thought you might be worried about that!” She smiles while tapping her index finger on her temple. “But no one at the wedding knows about the bet. And besides my parents, my sister, and Todd … no one will even know who you are.” She waggles her eyebrows, making me laugh.

I remove my baseball cap and run a hand through my hair with a groan. “If my brothers were to find out, they would literally make me run naked through my mother’s garden party. You realize that, right? David wasn’t kidding. The man is sadistic.”

Her shoulders slump in disappointment for a moment before she straightens them again. “Yeah, yeah. You’re right! Sorry for even bringing it up.” She smiles, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes.

“Molly—” I start, but she interrupts me.

“No, really! I’m fine.” She stands and places a manicured hand on my shoulder and pats it a few times. “I’ll see you at lunch?”

Her voice sounds high and strained, and I can tell she’s holding back how she truly feels. She’d do anything to keep everyone happy, even at the expense of her own feelings. Which is why she’s looking for a fake boyfriend … and always getting back together with Todd.

“Yeah, see you at lunch.” I smile and she turns to leave. “Hey, Molly?”

She glances over her shoulder as she pulls the door open to leave. “Yeah?”