Page 5 of The Fake Out

“Trying to make Eli jealous?” She cocked her head, half of it disappearing from the screen, and worried her bottom lip. Probably concerned he’d hurt his boyfriend’s feelings.

We were an odd group, the three of us. I’d met Linc at cosmology school over ten years ago. These days, he was a highly sought–after stylist at the biggest Moxie Salon in New York, and I’d never be able to repay him for the wonders he worked on my hair.

Though he’d clearly flourished in his career, it turned out that I hated peopling too much to stay in the business of cutting hair. So, six years ago, I’d gone back and taken art and design classes. That was when I met Mila. Soft-spoken and careful with her words, with her French braid, baggy clothes, and dreams of being an elementary school art teacher, she was the antithesis of me. Linc met Mila, cut her long, drab hair into a cute little bob, and dragged her out into the world of the New York bar scene. And since then, we’d been together.

“Oh, Eli is fine with me being a creepy stalker.” He rolled his blue eyes. “Babe!” he yelled. “Care if I check out some professional baseball guy’s chest without his knowledge or permission?”

In the background, Eli responded, but his words were impossible to make out.

Linc turned back to us, his eyes twinkling below the silver loop through one brow. “He said whatever.”

“Be nice to him.” Mila shook her head. “I miss you already, Gi. You should come back.”

I’d stayed with Mila for a few days after my father’s house sold, but then I’d finally bitten the bullet and called my brother. I wasn’t thrilled to have to mooch off Chris, but an apartment in the city was impossible to find on such short notice. I had some work to do for the Boston Zoo anyway, so the temporary move four hours north wasn’t really a big deal.

“I’m hoping to find a place near you before July.” But August was more likely. Jake still hadn’t reimbursed me, though he swore he’d have it soon. With him, that meant it could be tomorrow or next month. “Plus, I’m glad to be away from Jake for a while.”

“What did the tool bag do now?” Linc smirked. “His standing hair appointment is next week. Wouldn’t it be funny if I had an off day?”

My stomach sank. “Don’t get yourself in trouble. He’s not worth it.”

“Debatable.” Linc tossed his head back and let out the most terrifyingly evil laugh. The I intend to mess with you so good meaning behind it sent shivers down my spine.

“Seriously, what did he do?” Mila asked this time.

I lowered my focus, unable to look at them, and shook my head. Libby flaunting her engagement ring, then her friend’s comment about my size. I tipped my chin up, determined to cling to the anger coursing through me and not let anything else in. “Nothing out of the norm. He sent me to get the group’s coffee order, and while I was gone, he handed out housewarming invites.” I sighed, still beyond annoyed that he was living in the apartment I’d found and paid for. “Plus, he took me off the denim company project. That one I was really excited about. Apparently they don’t like my vision.”

Linc snorted. “Definitely gonna be half-blind next Wednesday.”

I didn’t want to chuckle, but it was hard not to. Messing with Mr. Perfect’s hair would be funny. Even so, Jake would be livid, and then he’d try to get Linc fired.

“No need. I’m busy working on the zoo project for the next couple of weeks, so I’m free of his harassment. And I’m sending my résumé to every graphic design firm in New York. A new job is at the top of the list, right after new apartment,” I muttered. New job, new place to live, new relationship status, all at the same time. Ironic for a woman who didn’t like change.

“If my lease was up anytime soon, I’d move in with you,” Mila assured me. It wasn’t the first time she’d said it, but her lease wasn’t up for renewal until October, and there was no way I’d live in my brother’s apartment for that long.

“I know.” I gave her a smile. “But I’m going to be thirty in a few weeks. It’s time I adult and get my own place.” And I’d been looking forward to having a place to make my own.

After realizing I didn’t want to cut hair, I’d moved back in with Pop so I could work part time while getting my degree. It had made sense. Then, when I was hired at Doucette Designs after graduation, I stayed so I could double down on my efforts to pay off my college loans. And in the end, it was the best decision. Because now I was debt free.

The house I’d grown up in, that my mother, with her artistic hand, had decorated, was always more of a way to remember her, to be surrounded by her. It was why it took Pop and me so long to let it go. But now that he’d sold it, I could live in a place that felt like me. Jake the jerk wasn’t part of the plan anymore, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t create a home for myself.

“So.” Linc waggled his brows. “Can we get a tour of the temporary place?”

“No.”

“Come on,” he moaned, tipping his face up to the ceiling. “I want an up-close and personal view of the hottie you get to call a roommate.”

I was not harassing the guy. It was bad enough I was encroaching on his space. I refused to be an annoying fan girl like that. Chris hadn’t paused to ask Emerson if it was okay before he agreed to let me stay me. And when I mentioned that his roommate might not love it, Chris assured me that Emerson was pretty much never home, so it wouldn’t be a thing.

“We are not harassing anyone today.”

Linc cupped a hand around his mouth. “booo,” he chanted.

I rolled my eyes. “Goodbye.” With that, I ended the call and headed out of Chris’s bedroom to figure out dinner.

As I stepped out into the hall, Emerson’s voice flooded my ears. If I didn’t know he was such a goofball, I might find the deep, rumbling tone attractive. Halfway down the hall, the smell hit my nose, making my mouth water. Garlic and cream.

I peeked into the kitchen, finding Emerson standing at the counter. He was tall and broad and far too happy-looking. The spoon in his hand was so at odds with the bat or mitt I was used to seeing him with. Even so, he looked just as comfortable in the kitchen as he did standing by third base.

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