Page 34 of Fake It 'til You Make It

‘Excuse me,’ I say, spotting Dee and Shernette in a group of people by the lounge windows. I’m momentarily struck again by how much more impressive the view is from just one floor up.

I smile at the men and women in the group and wait for a break in the conversation, then I ask Dee, ‘Are you ready?’ And to Shernette, ‘Can we leave? Please?’

‘Why? We’ve not even been here fifteen minutes,’ Shernette asks, surprising me. I was sure she’d be on my side in this. But I notice the subtle glance she throws to one of the guys she’s been chatting with and I understand why she wants to stay.

‘Dee?’ I ask, pleading.

My sister places her hands on my shoulders. ‘Abbey, I love you. I also fully understand why you hate men right now. But I saw the way Mike checked you out at the door and I think he’s under your skin a little bit.’

‘He is. Absolutely. Because he’s one bang on my ceiling away from a 911 nuisance call.’

Dee rolls her eyes. ‘We think…’ She takes one of her hands off my shoulder and puts it on Shernette’s. ‘That the best way to get over Andrew is to spend time with another guy. I’m not saying you have to have sex with Mike – even though I think you should – but you are trying to find a date and there’s a room full of guys here, be it a very hot pro-athlete or some other guy.’

‘You’re Miss In The Right Place At The Right Time,’ Shernette adds.

I glance across my shoulder to see Mike heading back into the kitchen. He shoves his cell phone into the back pocket of his shorts and drags a hand through his messy hair. He wasn’t expecting guests, I think. In fact, he looks like he wants to be at a party as much as I do.

Why would his brother send guests to his house?

He looks up and catches my eye.

‘He is handsome,’ I say aloud, not meaning to do so.

‘Atta girl,’ Shernette says.

My legs seem to be carrying me to the kitchen without my brain’s instruction.

‘Is your brother big on surprises?’ I ask Mike.

He considers me. Unreadable. Then opens the refrigerator and flips the top off two more bottles of beer.

‘Another beer, 7B?’

I take the full bottle and tap mine to his with ating.

‘In answer to your question.’ He casually leans back against the countertop. ‘My brother likes to think he knows what’s best for me.’

‘Partying?’

He shrugs. ‘Looks like it, doesn’t it?’

There’s another knock on the door and the woman who was questioning me earlier goes to answer, as if this is her place. Iwonder how many of these women feel like they have a stake in this apartment.

Another wave of people comes inside and they start navigating around Mike and me, helping themselves to drinks.

‘You strike me as someone who can throw his own parties.’ I look around and see Dee and Shernette still happily in conversations. Some people have started to dance on the balcony. The lights have been dimmed and there’s a random disco ball rotating on a side table. It’s like college but with older faces and more expensive alcohol.

‘Where is your brother?’

‘San Francisco.’

‘Is that where you’re based, when you’re not here?’

‘What makes you say that?’

Oops. Confession time.

‘I’ve been told you play for the San Francisco Giants.’

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