Page 47 of Hard to Fake

“In the meantime, you have your pick of the many ladies lined up outside for you,” Jay tosses. “Lucky you.”

“Yeah. Lucky me.”

I dunk my head under the water. Maybe if I do it long enough, the cold will freeze my brain.

12

BROOKE

Rookie: Laser tag this weekend?

Jay: Hell yeah.

Clay: I’m too old for this shit.

Atlas: Ask Nova what she thinks.

Clay: Nova wants to know if Brooke’s coming

Brooke: I could get out some aggression.

Clay: Then we’re coming.

Rookie: You’re so much more fun since you got married.

* * *

“You’re not so hard,” I mutter as I click on my tablet and navigate to my online banking.

Part of the appeal of beautiful outfits and filters is that you don’t have to look too hard at what’s underneath.

I’ve been afraid to go through my finances with clear eyes and face up to what things really cost, but I need to understand.

Now, I’m perched at my marble kitchen island with a drip coffee as I scan through my expenses.

There’s lots of travel. Dining out. But the biggest one is rent.

My two-bedroom apartment has been my happy place since I left college. My mom told me not to worry about the cost, so I didn’t.

The thought of losing it is impossible. It’s in a fabulous location, close to friends and shopping.

But as I compare my money coming in to what’s going out, it’s increasingly obvious that I need to not only step up my game going forward, but I might need to make magic happen to cover rent for the next few months.

My chest constricts at the idea of having to give up the life I took for granted.

I’m still struggling when a knock comes at my door. I answer it to find the concierge there with a wrapped box.

As a creator, I get mailed stuff from brands, but this is different. Simple, wrapped in brown paper. I rip the paper off.

Inside is a pair of sparkly red Louboutins.

I pick up the shoes and examine them. I can see the spot where they were mended. It's barely visible, but it's there. They look as good as new. Maybe even better than new. The stitching is tighter, the crystals shine with a new luster.

The small card with them reads:

Bent but not broken.

– M

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