Page 94 of The Fake Out Flex

Evie: Even if I keep having to remind myself it's meant to be fake.

Beth: Let me guess, it's not feeling fake?

Evie: Not. At. All.

Hannah: Your crush is back?

Beth: Did it ever really leave?

Hannah: I don't think this is one-sided, you guys. He is ALWAYS buying her flowers. My revenue is way up!

Summer: I saw the latest photos of them having dinner online. He looks genuinely smitten.

Amiel: I saw those photos, too. Nothing fake about the look in his eyes.

Beth: Are you talking about the photos where Evie has ketchup on her chin?

Summer: Yep. They're the ones.

Beth: Ooh, I missed them. Send me a link?

Evie: Guys, I'm right here.

Beth: Oh, are you? I thought you were abandoning us.

Evie: Well, I am now!

Evie: Thanks again for the work advice.

Hannah: Anytime, babe.

Beth:

Summer:

Amiel:

Smiling, I exit the chat and give Fraser a call.

12

Fraser

"And you didn't believe her?" my sister asks, as I give Oakey a push on the swing set in the park.

"Not for a minute. I know Evie well enough to know when she's pretending to be happy. And last night, she was not happy."

"Moooore!" Oakey cries gleefully.

I apply a bit more force to his swing. "Hang on, buddy!"

"Wheeeee!"

I smile through my exhaustion.

It was worth catching a cross-country flight to spend some precious time with my sister and my nephew. Even if this is a brief pit stop before my final destination.

Evie.

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