Page 3 of How To Fake A Fiancé

The bartender returns, setting our drinks in front of us.

I use the pause to change the subject. “You said on the app that you were local. Have you lived here your whole life?”

“I was actually born in Southern California. I grew up in Abilene.”

“Wow. And what brought you to Dallas?”

“College, mostly. Abilene is a sleepy town compared to the hustle and bustle of DFW, and I wanted to be somewhere more vibrant. I fell in love with the city so hard, I moved into an apartment with my bestie after graduation.”

“Liking it so far?”

“Best decision I ever made.” She sips her martini and moans.

“I’d agree with you, but I’m a little biased since I was born and raised in Texas.”

“That’s cool. Does the rest of your family live in Texas?”

“Some are farther away than others, but we’re all either in or around DFW. What do you do for a living?”

“I work for a tech company in the city.”

I recall my best friends and CEOs of KH industries Jake Hall and Jonathan Knight. Could there be a chance she knows them through the grapevine? Probably not since there’s so many whose offices are in the area.

“What do you do at—” I stop myself. This is a hookup, not a date. I shake my head. “Sorry, I’m asking too many questions.”

“You’re fine. You’re a fun guy to talk to.” She smiles, taking another sip of her martini.

“I’m a bit rusty with my social skills.”

“How do you mean? You seem fine to me.”

“I’ve been taking care of my mom for the past five years, so I haven’t had much time to form any personal connections.”

She gasps. “I’m so sorry. Is your mom okay?”

“She’s doing good. Been in remission from cancer for some time now.”

“Cancer is a bitch. What type?”

“Breast cancer.”

“I’m glad you and your family are okay.” There’s a pause between us before she speaks again. “To answer your question from earlier, I work in the social media department. I help promote the company online.”

“That’s really cool.” I welcome the change of subject.

“I like to think I’m the queen of posting on TikTok and Instagram.”

“You’re way ahead of me, then. I find social media confusing. That probably makes me sound old, huh?”

“You’re not old.” She puts her hand on my forearm. Electricity shoots up my arm from her light touch. “You’re just not on your phone all the time. You know…like normal people.”

I laugh. “That’s normal?”

“Well, it is for me at least.”

I take a sip of my drink. “I will say, what I lack in social media skills, I can make up for with one hell of a drink. I’m a bartender.”

“I saw that on your profile. How long have you been working as a bartender?”

---