Page 61 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

Thisisn’tthe restaurant I set up for his date. And isn’t that supposed to be tomorrow night?

Asher’s eyes scan the room, and I duck my head, pretending to be fascinated by my napkin. I’ve been avoiding him since that training session. Trying to shove those dangerous butterflies back into the box where they belong.

Asher’s voice cuts through the din of the restaurant. “Isla? Is that you?”

I look up, plastering on my best oh-what-a-surprise face. “Asher! What are you doing here?”

He saunters over. “Just thought we’d try out The Riverstone for our date. Great minds think alike, huh?”

Yeah, right. He definitely changed the location and time of his date. But why? I narrow my eyes at him, but he just grins wider.

“Eric, right?” Asher extends his hand to Eric. “I believe we met at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last month.”

Eric straightens in his chair. “Ah, yes. Your presentation on small business growth metrics was quite illuminating.”

“Actually,” Asher glances between Eric and Samantha with that dimpled smile, “since we’re all here, why don’t we make this a table for four? Eric’s got the inside scoop on the business side of things, and I figured Samantha might enjoy talking shop with someone who speaks fluent finance. Plus, group settings take the pressure off, right?”

Samantha’s eyes light up. “Oh, that’s perfect! I was just telling Asher how I’d love to get a better sense of the economic landscape around here.”

Eric perks up like someone just offered him a spreadsheet of compound interest rates. “Certainly! A broader networking opportunity would optimize this social engagement.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Asher says, sliding into the seat next to Eric with a wink in my direction.

I resist the urge to kick him under the table. “Sure, why not? The more, the merrier.”

Samantha slides into the seat next to me with a dazzling smile. “What a lovely surprise running into you here, Isla! Asher’s told me so much about his matchmaker.”

“Oh, yes. It’s very rewarding work.” I force a smile, but I want to scream. This is not how this was supposed to go.

I sneak out my phone and fire off a quick message to Conner while everyone’s busy figuring out appetizers.

ISLA

Are you the traitor who told Asher about my date???

CONNER

What kind of brother would I be if I DIDN’T tell your future husband about your date?

ISLA

I hate you. I’m getting a new brother on Amazon. Also, he’s NOT my future husband.

Eric launches into a monologue about the statistical improbabilities of successful business mergers in the current market. I nod along, my mind wandering. But Samantha leans forward, her eyes lighting up. Every few seconds, she nods enthusiastically or hums in agreement.

ISLA

WHY are you here? What are you doing?

ASHER

Just being a good client. Letting you see your matchmaking magic in action.

His eyes meet mine across the table, his lips curve into a smile.

ISLA

This isn’t funny! We’re not 12 anymore. You can’t just crash my professional dates for fun!

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