Page 47 of The Fake Dating War

My sister claps her hands. “It’s Reema’s turn to try on lingerie!”

I try fighting them off, but the same persuasiveness I wield at work to win clients is what my sister also possesses, though in more sporadic doses.

“We have a few minutes until our next appointment and this will make me really happy,” she says, begging me. “It’s my wedding week, remember? And you don’t have to buy anything, but try some pieces at least.” She pulls a piece off the wall. “What do you think Jake will like?”

I back away as if panties are about to explode in my face. “He—He hasn’t seen me in anything like this!”

“Do you want him to see you in it?”

The question throws me off. I don’t know why, but my mind went straight toYes.Obviously, the scenario is strictly hypothetical, but I guess I would enjoy producing any kind of slack-jacked effect on his face. I’ve only ever seen it at work, very sparingly, notably that one time I got three clients to sign with me at once.

But this?—

Esha grabs another piece off the wall. This one has one of those pussy latches the owner was showing. “Would you ever wear something like this?”

Old me would. Old me did.

I tried a lot of marriage-saving methods with Harry, each one getting more desperate and pathetic. At first, it was about cooking his favorite meals, and then it was making sure to compliment him. Twenty-four-seven, I was his cheerleader.Rah-rah-rah, you can do no wrong, baby! Just wait, you’re going to win today.By the end, it had gotten so bad that I thought this sugary, cheery baby voice was my real personality. Fuck me, but cringe.

We’d been together for so long that I was willing to do anything to preserve the marriage. I can’t think about it without hiding my face in shame, so I don’t. This isn’t about Harry.

This week is about pretending I’m the Reema of the future. I have a boyfriend who loves me, and my life is progressing nicely with my own apartment, and I have a very reasonable amount of money sitting in my account. After I get my bonus, that’s who I am going to become. So what’s wrong with treating this week like I’m already there? Isn’t that the fantasy I have to sell, anyway?

I won’t buy anything, but I can try a set on.

My eye catches on a racy purple teddy that has built-in garters.

“That one,” I find myself saying. “That would drive him crazy.”

The owner materializes from somewhere. With the skill of someone who has done this for a long time, she grabs the set, puts it into my hands, and pushes me into a fitting room. The curtain is closed behind me and I’m alone, except for the mannequin in the corner.

“Hello,” I say, nodding at it. “Don’t mind me.”

In the mirror, I’m wearing a sweater layered over a collared t-shirt.

Two years ago, the style was more popular.

I see myself slowly strip.

Standing there is a woman who has been healthier, but is still alright. Though the sneakers, no one can defend. I toe them off, and slip into the fitting room provided heels. My arch complains, and I make a mental note to practice wearing heels, otherwise the wedding day and reception shoes will murder my feet.

Getting used to this pair, I strut a bit. Then I navigate myself into the lingerie set. It’s a fucking mission, but finally I have it on.

The cups pushing up my cleavage are lined with silk, and because I’ve kept my original bra on, there is a double-lift going on. My chest pours over the scalloped edge. The edge of the teddy finishes somewhere in the upper thigh region. If I bend over, I’m pretty sure my whole bum is going to pop out. Or, it would, if the whole outfit didn’t cling so tightly over my curves. There’s suctioning and plumping wizardry at play. My waist feels nipped saucily with a bow, and my legs look endlessly long. Garters are the extra teasing touch, even though I’ve not clipped them to any stockings.

In this, my hips sway with confidence.

“Soon,” I whisper to my reflection. “This won’t be so strange. Soon, I’ll be this person again.”

Not today, though. The price tag on this piece alone is half a rental damage deposit.

Before I can start taking the lingerie off, the curtain rustles open.

Coleman steps inside the fitting room.

28

REEMA

---