Page 9 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

“It is dumb,” she mutters, her voice cracking slightly. “This is my tenth breakup, and don’t even get me started on how embarrassing each breakup got. Remember that time Steven, who ghosted me only to show up two months later, engaged to my second cousin? And that time, Mike dumped me during karaoke night, right in the middle of my performance of ‘I Will Survive.’ I’m basically collecting breakup stories like other people collect postcards. The Bucket List is just a sad reminder of how pathetic I am.”

Now, I have an excellent idea.

I tuck the list into my pocket and step closer, the space between us narrowing until I catch the sharp hitch of her breath.

“How about this?” I dip my head just enough for our eyes to lock. “We do it together.”

“No way!” She reaches for my pocket. “Give it back!”

The Frosthaven Buzz (Unofficial News)

BREAKINGNEWS:LocalMatchmakerGets Un-Matched!

Sam Lee, 2 hours ago

Y’all won’t BELIEVE what just went down at the festival! Our beloved matchmaker got a taste of her own medicine when her boyfriend decided to dump her publicly.

Sources say Kyle SOBBED UNCONTROLLABLY while confessing his love for his new girlfriend. The matchmaker apparently HUGGED her replacement so enthusiastically that they both toppled into the festival’s prize-winning tulip display.

Also spotted: One (1) gym owner appearing like he has a built-in radar for a certain recently single matchmaker. Just saying.

Question is: Should we trust someone to match US when they can’t even match THEMSELVES? Asking for a friend . . . or the whole town.

Comments:

Eleanor Caldwell: Did we watch the same breakup??

Bethany Grayson: Is Love By Design offering refunds? Asking for my cousin’s neighbor.

Betty Malone: Our gym owner literally FLEW over those flowers like???? My man chose parkour.

Sarah Shea: That shirt rip tho.

Nancy Fitzpatrick: Anyone got videos?

Linda Baker: Can we stop objectifying our local gym owner?

Harold Whitaker: HELP MY KEYBOARD IS STUCK ON CAPS BUT FR THO VIDEOS PLS SOMEONE SEND THEM TO ME

Kyle Lewis: @Bethany Grayson Don’t bother with her services. She can’t even match herself.

Elaine Harper: @Kyle Lewis Maybe fix your attitude before coming at someone else’s bestie. You’re the walking red flag here.

Roxanne West: @Kyle Lewis Men really be doing everything except therapy huh.

Admin Dave Goodrich: friendly reminder to be nice y’all.

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Chapter 3

Isla

“Thankyouforyourhard work, Isla, but after the Spring Festival . . .” The client’s words drag, her tone sharp enough to cut. “I’m sorry about what happened between you and Kyle . . . but I think it’s best if I cancel the rest of my sessions.”

The phone pressed to my ear feels heavy as the line goes dead.

That’s the eighth cancellation since my very public, very humiliating breakup. Turns out, when the town matchmaker gets dumped in the middle of a festival, it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

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