Page 81 of Is It Casual Now?

“Are you kidding me?” The sound of Jamie’s voice was music to Siena’s ears. They’d already taken a few photos of Piper and Jo. “You’re telling me these two aren’t actually together?”

“Hi.” Siena looked over at Jamie as she sidled up beside her. They stood a few feet away as Harley moved places and angles, getting photos of the women who talked as though they weren’t about to enact a fake engagement.

“Hey. So, what’s the fake news? Because I’m finding it a little hard to believe that these two aren’t just a little more than friends.”

“Honestly…” Siena sighed and tried not to scream and tell Jamie that whatever was happening to stop and come back to her. Stop moving away. “I’m not entirely sure.”

“All right. But what’s the fake news then?”

“Hang on.” Siena placed one hand on Jamie’s forearm as she raised the other to get Piper’s attention. She hadn’t taken much notice of the movement, not until Jamie’s arm stiffened beneath her touch. “Are you ready?” Siena called out to Piper, her breathing coming a little faster than it had moments ago.

“All good.” Piper smiled to Siena and then turned her eyes back to Jo.

Oh, there was definitely more than just a little something going on there, but Siena wouldn’t pry. Not into her client’s life, or her friend’s for that matter. She just hoped Piper would tell her when she was ready.

“This is the fake part. It’s a long story, but if you can write it up so it looks as real as possible, that would be for the best.”

“You want me to lie and purposely feed false informationto the people?” Jamie looked a little green about that statement.

“No.” Siena shook her head. “Well, not exactly. I don’t want it published in any traditional papers.” She’d thought this through many times over, and while she could have easily written something up on her own and made it seem real enough for what Piper needed, Siena wanted to see Jamie again. And she wanted to know exactly what Jamie would do—she was the expert in all of this, wasn’t she?

“What do you want?” Jamie asked, moving her eyes away the moment Siena tried to meet them.

“You have several blogs.”

“What?” Jamie looked startled, and the thrill of getting a reaction not focused entirely on her being an uptight professional was intoxicating.

“Everyone knows about the JK one. But I’m not the only one with secret sources.” Siena hated herself for the smirk on her lips and the teasing lilt in her voice. But fear made her desperate.

“All right. You want me to post it up on one of my other blogs. To what purpose?”

“For someone else to believe it’s real.” Siena swallowed the lump in her throat. She should keep it to herself. But seeing as Jamie was determined to be professional, Siena might as well see how strong that ethical line Jamie insisted upon mentioning really was. “For Bunny to believe it’s real.”

“There’s issues with the duo?”

“Not really. It’s Piper’s way of trying to get Bunny to stop standing in her own way, as well as in Piper’s way I think.”

Jamie looked confused, but she didn’t say anything as her mouth dropped open as the proposal on the small bridge in the park played out in front of her. Harley took photos, Jamie scribbled in a notebook, and Piper and Jo spoke words thatSiena couldn’t hear. All while Siena’s heart slowly cracked along fissures that might actually be irreparable.

“Wow.” Jamie nodded as she closed her notebook and looked at Siena. For a moment, Siena sawherJamie. The one who sparkled and strode through the world like nothing could ever have the power to damage her. But just as quickly it disappeared once more.

“So, you’re okay with the rules? Do you need anything clarified?”

“I understand. You want it published on a no name blog, where few if any people might actually see it. I’ll send you the link so you can show Bunny.”

“But don’t post it yet.” Siena rushed to add. “Please. I’m hoping Piper and Jo realize how absolutely absurd the entire thing is before we need to actually show Bunny. But yes, that’s where it would be best to be posted.”

“All right.” Jamie nodded and straightened her back as she squared her shoulders. “Thank you very much for this opportunity, as strange as it is. I’ll hear from you if and when you would like me to publish it.”

“Jamie.” Siena tried, despite the cracking sound of the growing fissure within her.

“Professional. That’s all we can be,” Jamie answered the unasked questions that had filled Siena all afternoon. “I’ll let you know the link once you give the go ahead. Bye Siena.”

Jamie started walking off before Siena could even say goodbye.

She didn’t want to say goodbye.

The cracks in her chest grew louder and she watched Jamie disappear along the path that headed back to the parking lot.

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