Page 28 of Hard to Fake

* * *

“How’s living the glamorous life as a big-city doctor?” I ask as I sweep in the front door of my building with a smile for the doorman.

“Double shifts with a ham on rye. I’m living the dream.” Ruby holds up her wrapped sandwich over FaceTime.

I laugh.

My apartment building is in a great location. I can walk to lots of places. I wave to the concierge and pick up my mail before heading upstairs, doing a silent fist pump when I see a package that must be the vibe I ordered. “I’m making a pitch for Elise and thought you might have some advice since you overlapped.”

I’ve been up working on it all night, pacing my apartment.

“Her room was next to mine the first year I was a sister,” Ruby confirms. “She was cooler than most of the girls—driven, but everyone in that house was.”

“What does she like?”

“She appreciates ambition. I remember she headed up three different committees at once. I know we all like to say, ‘I don’t know how she does it,’ but truly… I don’t know how she does it.”

I take the stairs, for the cardio and because the cell reception has a tendency to cut out.

“I’ve got to make this work, Rubes,” I vow.

I need the money.

I didn’t work in high school because I played basketball and we traveled for Jay’s tournaments. I volunteered for several non-profits but I’m guessing they don’t pay the kind of money I need to maintain my lifestyle.

Plus, a part of me would love to prove that I’m fine without my mom’s support doing exactly what I’m doing.

Living a fabulous life and posting about it.

“You’ll crush it. How will it be to see Kevin again?”

The back of my neck feels damp under my hair. “It’s in the past. I’ve put everything about him behind me.”

Upstairs, I let myself into my apartment. My floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides have views of the mountains.

Every day I wake up and throw the curtains open, I feel like I can do anything, be anyone.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” Ruby says.

“I’m not.” I step out of my shoes, leaving them haphazardly next to half a dozen other pairs. “Did his actions back then mess with me? Sure. But in the end, he did me a favor.”

When I drop the mail on the quartz counter, a bank statement slides out from the bottom.

“I can’t wait to see you in person. Is Tim coming?” I ask.

“No, he’s busy. It’s girl time.”

“Please tell me your husband is pulling his weight while you do all these shifts.”

“He’s busy at work too.”

As she talks, I tear into the envelope.

I have almost no money left, but I’m too embarrassed to volunteer that to Ruby, who put herself through medical school.

“I’m actually bringing someone. I thought it would help present a solid front to Elise.”

“And you didn’t lead with this?! Which boy will be desperately clinging to your arm?”

---