Page 19 of Pretend Girlfriend

Marisa dominated the conversation for a while, giving way too many details about the upcoming wedding. I didn’t mind; it was easier to react to things she said rather than come up with my own conversation points. Danicka was already on her third glass of Chardonnay, and wasn’t giving me much attention. That was a problem.

Before the food arrived, I excused myself to the bathroom. While peeing, I tried thinking of other subjects I could bring up at dinner. Maybe if I asked what Landon was like as a child, Danicka would open up to me.

When I came out of the stall, I gave a start. Danicka was standing next to the sink, arms crossed over her chest and a scathing expression on her face.

“I know you’re lying,” she said bluntly.

Fuck.

7

Joanna

“Danicka,” I said. “Sorry, you startled me.”

“I know you’re lying,” she repeated as I washed my hands. “There’s one thing you need to know about me: I’m like a human lie detector. I can always tell.”

Well, shit. Thanks for not warning me about that, Landon.

“Uhh…” I stammered. “Danicka, I…”

“Marisa’s dress,” she barked. “You don’t really like it, do you?”

I froze with my hands underneath the faucet. That’s what this was all about? The stupid dress? Without any good options, I decided to leap at the opportunity.

“Okay, you got me. I don’t like the dress. It’s not really my style. But I didn’t want to be mean about it.”

Danicka’s eyes bore into me while I dried my hands. Then a huge smile split her face in half. “That dress is hideous. I would rather slash my wrists than wear that on the most important day of my life.”

“It’s so bad!” I agreed. “It looks like an ugly prom dress that someone dipped in white-out.”

Danicka threw her head back and cackled loudly. “Oh that’s good. I’m so glad you have better taste.” She held onto my arm as we left the bathroom. “Don’t worry, this will be our little secret.”

“It won’t be a secret when she walks down the aisle next weekend,” I replied. “You think Bradyn will like it?”

“Landon got all the good taste. Bradyn will be happy if he makes it through his vows without sweating. That boy perspires like a whore at the Vatican.” Danicka gave me a cutting smirk. “I wanted to set Landon up with one of my colleagues. I’m glad I don’t have to, now. You and I can be catty together!”

Landon raised a brow as we returned to the table, giggling together. I gave him a satisfied smile.

Hell yeah. I was nailing it.

Danicka was now my best friend. After the food arrived, she kept nudging me and telling me stories about all the girls Landon used to have crushes on when he was a teenager.

“Do we really need to go over this, mother?” he eventually asked.

“You could’ve had anyone you wanted, but you insisted on dating that pale goth girl,” Danicka said.

“Greta liked me for me,” he insisted. “All the other girls just wanted to date a football player.”

“You played football?” I asked.

“Of course he did!” Clark replied. “Quarterback, just like his old man. He never told you?”

“I don’t like to live in the past,” Landon replied, giving me cover. “I don’t talk much about high school anymore.”

“It’s all Bradyn talks about,” Marisa chimed in. “He was an offensive lineman.”

I took a longer look at the boys. The three of them were big men; it was clear that Clark and Bradyn had muscle underneath what were now pudgier bodies. Landon was leaner than them, but I could definitely see the football physique now that I was looking closely.

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