Page 16 of The ABCs of You & Me

“Soph,” he interrupts, and I look up from where my eyes have landed on the Tupperware to see a soft smile on his face and I’m instantly calmer. “Just ask me.”

Just ask me, he says, as if it’s not a big deal. “Would you be my friend-date to an alumni gala in a couple weeks, on March thirtieth?” I say it so fast that I’m not sure he understands. “Again, you can say no?—”

“I’ll do it.”Holy shit, what?“On one condition,” he continues. I knew that was too easy. “My friends are hosting this stupid April Fools’ barbecue and I could use a— what did you refer to it as? A friend date?” I nod. “Okay, you be my friend-date to the barbecue, and I’ll be yours for the gala.”

“Why do you need a date to a barbecue?”

“Remember those hyper-matchmaker friends I told you about?” I nod. “Well, they’ll all be there. But if you come with me, maybe they’ll actually give me a break.”

“Wait, they won’t know we’re just friends?”

“Well, I was thinking that maybe we could pretend to be dating. I may have told them I was seeing someone, but didn’t give them any information beyond that. I just needed a break from their relentless need to pair me off. But you don’t have to agree to that. I’ll still come with you regardless. I didn’t mean to make it conditional.”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind if that’s the approach we took at the gala too. My ex will be there, and I’d really prefer not to go alone.”

“Now, what are you wearing to this gala? Is it black tie?” Foster asks as he packs up our empty lunch containers.

“It’s formal, not black tie. I don’t even know why they call it a gala when it’s really just a shameless attempt to get more money out of people. People talk, get awards, I’m being recognized?—”

“Wait, what?”

“It’s just a pat on the back for helping set up a mentorship program in the department. Nothing groundbreaking. And I don’t even know what I’m wearing yet.”

I swear his eyes sweep down my body, or maybe I just imagine it because now he looks like he’s going to call me a silly goose or something equally adorable. “Recognition is a big deal, Soph. I can’t wait to celebrate with you.”

I believe those words. Then again, if he told me the moon was made out of cheese with that tone and expression, I’d believe that too.

I have to look away because it feels like my heart is going to beat straight through my chest. “I guess I need to get a celebratory dress then,” I mutter.

“Yeah, you do. I’ve got a blue suit I can wear if that helps at all.”

Keep your eyes on his. Keep your eyes on hi— dammit. I reprimand myself as eyes trail down to his trim waist and back up.

“That’s good to know,” I mumble so it sounds like one word. I’m screwed if just thethoughtof him in that suit is scrambling my brain.

“What about this one?” my friend Maya asks, holding up a strapless black satin gown.

I study it for all of three seconds before shaking my head. There’s nothing special about that dress. Nothing that will fill Gregory with regret. Nothing that will fill Foster with—No, do not go there. You’re doing this for you, I remind myself.

The need to do unspeakable things to you in the coat closet,the little voice rushes to say, my body heating at the thought.

We’ve been at the mall for an hour, and I’ve gone through every dress rack in every store that sells dresses. I haven’t found a thing. Maya, on the other hand, has three bags dangling from one elegant hand while she uses the other one to flip through another round of dresses.

A gasp draws my attention in her direction as she pulls out an emerald green gown that has every hair on my body rising. “That’s the one,” I say without an ounce of doubt.

When I come out of the dressing room, Maya’s face says it all. She motions for me to spin. The minute my back is to her she cackles maniacally. “He’s going to come in his pants when he sees you in that.”

“Maya, geez.” I shush her but laugh when I see her face. She looks like an evil genius. “So I should get it?”

“If you don’t, I’ll never speak to you again.”

“Yes, you will.” I roll my eyes before going back into the change room.

“Okay, yes, I will, but I’ll bring this up constantly as the day you damaged our decade-long friendship.”

“Sure,” I murmur, swaying slowly back and forth, admiring myself in the full-length mirror on the back of the door. Foster is going to be in blue; we’ll look good together. Like two people who stood next to one another in the bathroom doing our hair. Like two people who woke up sharing the same pillow.

“Stop staring at your ass and get out here. We’re going to be late for the movie.” Maya’s voice filters through the door.

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