Page 59 of Faking the Face Off

I can’t believe we’d made it this far. We’re at the end of our unofficial contracted time together and managed to hide our status from a lot of people. Including my dad. When we started, I chose to keep it from him so Dad wouldn’t flip out. So I could give him breathing room. Now, with ten grand in the bank helping with some of the bills and Ollie giving him, and me, some relief, we’re not in the best space—but my dad is in a better one.

So I make an executive decision. Opening the front door, I get the driver’s attention and let him know I’ll be out in a minute. Then I turn back to my sweet pops, taking his hands in mine, and tell him everything. All of it. The good, the bad, the why.

I watch as his face goes through a range of emotions, making sure to quickly gloss over some of the parts, but only so I can get to the good ones.

When I’m done, I stay still in place and wait for him to respond. He lets out a long breath of air as he crosses his arms and closes his eyes before speaking.

“You did all of this for me?” His eyes flick open. “You and Ollie both?”

“Like I said, it helped him and it helped you.”

“But you’re not supposed to do this kind of thing for me. I do it for you, you’re the kid here.”

“Well, sometimes it’s about helping out your family, and you’re the family here that needed help.” I kiss his cheek. “Look, we’ve got miles to go before we get you back into a good spot, but we’ve lessened the load.”

“That’s good enough for right now,” he says. “Ollie Decker paid my hospital bill. I taught him how to skate, you know.”

“I know.” I giggle, inclining my head toward the door. “Look, I have to go. Can we talk about this later?”

“Oh, you bet we will.” He chuckles, holding the door open for me. “But for now, have a great time tonight and do not come home early, okay? Go and have fun with Ollie. It’ll make this old man’s heart proud.”

I turn away and glide to the car, not wanting to leave him but also now buoyed by the fact that everyone around me who needs to know what was going on does. And it’s almost over. Finally.

The only thing left to do is figure out with Ollie what happens with us.

“M’lady.” The driver closes the door behind me as I settle into the back of the car. In a few seconds, he has the car pointed in the direction of Ollie’s house when my phone rings. I’m surprised to see Ben’s name pop up, so I grab it immediately.

“Everything good?”

A dramatic sigh slams against my ear. “No. I’m at the event, with Molly, and realized I never handed out the passes to everyone.”

“For the ball?”

“Yep.” He’s quiet but only for a moment. “They’re in the Ivory Tower. Sutton said she’d left them for me on her desk. I hate asking you this…”

“It’s fine, I’ll go by and get them. Just text me where you are and I’ll find you when Ollie and I arrive.”

“Seriously, you are a lifesaver, Anna.”

I smile as I disconnect the call and quickly dial Ollie’s number, shocked when he answers on the first ring.

“You’re not bailing, are you?”

“Not yet,” I tease. “But look, Ben needs me to go to the offices and get everyone’s tickets or no one is getting into the ball. It’s easier if I get the driver to detour now, but it means I’ll be a little late getting to you.”

“Totally fine. I’m having a hair crisis anyway so it’ll give me more time to get it figured out.”

“Oh, please,” I say with a laugh. Laughing with him is so easy. “See you soon, okay?”

The hallwayof the executive suites is dark, save the random overhead light being on for security purposes. I’ve got a small window of time here to get the tickets, get back down to the car to go to Ollie’s and pick him up, then head to the event. Plus, I still need to sneak in a quick question.

What about us?

On one hand, I should be able to ask him anything. We’re friends. I ask my friends anything I want to. But if that’s the case, then why do I second-guess asking him about an “us” whenever it pops into my head?

The strap on my heel feels funny, so I stop to quickly adjust it while I consider the other option of not saying anything and simply trusting him. Which is honestly my preferred option because I do—I trust him. Ollie has never given me any reason to not trust him in all of the years we’ve known each other. Not like other people I’ve dated. Why would he suddenly pull the wool over my eyes and choose now to do it?

Standing up, I test my shoe, making sure the strap will hold, and start back on my mission. I’m weighing up the best way to casually ask about this “other woman” Molly saw him with—if thatiswhat I choose to do—when the low murmur of voices talking nearby makes me stop.

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