Page 33 of Take It Offline

I love them more than life itself. I only wish I didn’t have to worry about them so much.

Dad’s refilling my glass for the third time when he eyes me with curiosity and asks the last question I’d ever expect from him. “Are you going to tell us about this new boyfriend of yours, or must we wait for the official newsletter?”

It takes everything I have not to choke on my wine.

“Who told you about that?”

“Violet was very curious,” Mom says.

One look at how happy the two of them are, and I almost regret lying to Logan.

Almost.

“There’s nothing to tell.”Literally, because he doesn’t exist.

“The most important thing is, does he make you happy?” Dad asks.

What do I even say to that? I only made him up in hopes of getting Logan back, but I can’t bring myself to disappoint them.

“He keeps life interesting” is what I land on.

They look like they just found out Santa is real, and my stomach churns. I hate lying to them.

“We expect to see him at the fundraiser, at least,” Mom says.

Uh… hell no.

“He’s not sure if he can make it,” I try.

It’s no use. Mom is already cupping my cheek and smiling, and I know I can’t take it back now.

“Then you’ll just have to bring him around to meet us when you visit next Sunday.”

Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit.

I should have known the gossip mill would get back to them, but the flare of jealousy I caught in Logan’s eyes was too good to pass up. Too bad I now need to find myself a fake boyfriend for a night.

Mom clinks her glass to mine. “Don’t forget to tell him it’s black tie.”

“I’ll let him know.”

Once I have ahimto invite.

CHAPTER 13

OH, YOU THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE FAIR?

CHARLIE

Monday mornings are a bitch. Yeah, yeah, what’s new.

Today is a new kind of kick in the ass, though, because the taste of Emma has lasted all weekend, and if she was cold to me before, I’m expecting subzero temperatures now.

Look, I didn’t make it this far in life believing in fairy tales. I know it’s not going to happen again, but I can’t stop thinking about it, thinking abouther.

How incredible she tasted.

How right she felt in my arms, gripping me tight, her lips opening beautifully under mine.

---