Page 35 of Love, Lilly

Today I decide to spend my lunchtime focusing on capitalising on my online popularity and continuing to find a way to turn it into cold, hard cash. Following Oliver’s suggestions, now that I have had such an increase in my follower numbers, I agreed to do sponsored advertisements for several bigger companies for their products. Some include bakeware and cooking utensils, with the bonus being I get to keep their products for free. And some have been for bigger items, like ovens and ThermoMixers, which I am still trying to make work. The ability to generate a decent amount of money by posting sponsored ads and videos has boosted my chances of turning my hobby into a real business, and I get excited at the thought that this could lead to more and more lucrative deals for me in the future. And with my pop-up café opening in just six weeks’ time, I am feeling more positive that I could launch a successful Love, Lilly café soon. New Year’s resolution to-do list items one and two—check!

In my downtime between answering emails, smiling at customers who come into the office, and being ‘“decorative,” I text with Amy, alternating between focusing on her heated relationship with Dr Lucas McHottie and my need to find a dress that will make Sebastian regret ever letting me go—and maybe get Oliver to notice me? Amy, true to form, is very encouraging of this quest and has been sending me links to every dress sale in a ten-kilometre radius, while I have been answering her rants about the very annoying (but very good-looking) doctor with angry face emojis and head-exploding-in-anger memes. This turns out to be a wonderful way to pass the time, and I as happen upon a funny angry-kitten GIF to send to Amy, I get a text from Oliver.

Oliver: Hey, how’re the plans for next weekend coming along? Need me to do anything to help?

This is interesting. It would seem that Oliver will not try to back out of this arrangement, as has been a fear of mine since I RSVP’d to the wedding. Oliver is not prone to doing crazy things, like pretend dating someone, so I had been waiting for him to come to his senses and bail out of the whole thing. With this message, I am thinking that instead, he may actually be looking forward to accompanying me. No, that can’t be right; he’s just being Oliver, making sure I have things organised for the weekend and not leaving it to the last minute as I am known to do.

Lilly: All good. Hotel booked. Now searching for a revenge dress.

Oliver: A what?

Lilly: A revenge dress.

Oliver: ???

Lilly: Oliver, you need to brush up on your pop culture references. A revenge dress is one that is worn to make an ex-boyfriend regret dumping you.

Oliver: This is a thing?

Lilly: Yes, and I am on a mission to find the perfect one.

Oliver: You care what Sebastian thinks of you? You want him back?

Oliver does not understand this. Clearly, he has never had to save face before.

Lilly: Being a typical man, you are missing the point. I DO NOT want him back or anywhere near me.

Oliver: OK…

Lilly: I need to make sure I win the breakup.

Oliver: You’ve lost me again.

I sigh to myself. This boy needs my help. Has he never watched a rom com before?

Lilly: I need to come out of this relationship looking the best. To those watching, he has moved on and is over me. He is getting married, and so far, that means he is winning. So, for me to win this breakup, I now must appear looking hot and make him feel bad about letting me go.

Oliver: And he will do this? On his WEDDING day?

Hmmm, he may have a point. What am I trying to achieve here?

Lilly: Well, no, he probably won’t notice me at all on his wedding day.

Oliver: I wouldn’t go that far. It’s hard not to notice you, Lil. Revenge dress or not.

I feel my cheeks grow warm after reading this, and with a smile a mile long on my face, I reply: Regardless, the revenge dress is more about me and my ego.

Oliver: Huh. I’ve learned something new today.

Lilly: You’re welcome :)

Oliver: Do I have a revenge dress equivalent? You know I just went through a breakup…

I feel bad about raving on about breakups when Oliver has just had his heart broken, so I pivot a bit.

Lilly: How are you doing, Ol? Hope you are OK?

Oliver: I’m fine, really. Just need to find myself a revenge dress.

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