Page 57 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
“That was a long time ago,” she assured me. “I doubt anyone even remembers.”
“Scandals never go away,” I said. “You and I both know that.”
“What’s he going to tell them?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I was kind of a snot to him.”
She laughed. “You’re not a snot to anyone.”
“I was to him,” I said. “He hurt my feelings.”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“He said he didn’t mean it that way. I know he didn’t, but it was just a huge reminder none of this is real.”
“That kiss looked real,” she said.
“It felt real, but it was just a kiss. I let myself believe there was something real about it. I actually started to like him.”
“Started,” she said. “Again, I was at the club. You guys were all over each other. I think it’s safe to say you definitely like him. But do you like like him?”
“There’s a lot to unpack,” I groaned. “I don’t know if I can unpack all of it. I don’t know if it will do any good to think about it.”
“Have you slept with him?”
“Norah!” I gasped. Leave it to her to be blunt. She always just said it the way it was.
“Have you?”
“No!” I didn’t tell her I would have if he wouldn’t have stopped things. I didn’t tell her I was hoping we would.
“So, then what is happening between the two of you?” she asked.
“Is this weird to talk about this with you?” I questioned. “I mean, he’s your ex. There were a good few years you thought you were in love with him.”
“I was not in love with him,” she said. “We were in high school. We didn’t even sleep together. I don’t even think we made it to third base. So, we can’t compare notes. There is nothing weird about this. He was so long ago. Tony is my love.”
“Okay,” I said and felt a little better. “Then again, I don’t know why I’m even worried about it. It’s not like this is real. A few kisses and a little groping don’t mean anything. We were both drunk. Shit like that is normal.”
“I would say for ninety percent of the population, yes. For you and Ryan, no. You guys are different.”
“How do you know?” I asked. “I don’t think Ryan is the same guy he was back then. If he is, I feel bad for not giving him a chance.”
“He’s always been reserved,” she said. “And if he was a typical guy, we would have had sex. He never pushed it. Me and Tony were having sex after the first week together. I honestly wondered if Ryan was maybe not into women.”
“He’s definitely into women,” I said in defense of him.
“Just not me,” she said. “Good to know.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean that as an insult.”
“I know,” she said and stretched her arms high. “I think you two make a cute couple. Even if it’s fake. If you like him, you should tell him. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“He shuts me down and I’m humiliated,” I muttered.
“Like you’ve never been humiliated before,” she reasoned.
“Gee, I’m so glad you came over to make me feel better. It’s really working.”
