Page 94 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

“Not yet,” Conner says. “We weren’t sure if we should tell her.”

I think of Isla’s face when she talked about Kyle, the hurt in her eyes, the way she squared her shoulders like she could carry it alone. “She told me she doesn’t want revenge. She just wants to fix what she can and move forward.”

Conner lets out a breath, rolling his shoulders like he’s trying to shake off irritation. “Yeah, that sounds like her. But he’s actively screwing with her livelihood.”

“So what’s the plan?” I stop pacing.

Xander and Conner exchange a look.

Xander shrugs. “My team is already looking into legal avenues. Turns out Kyle’s got some questionable business practices. False advertising, misleading clients, and possibly fraud. I’ll handle it.”

“And none of this will trace back to us,” Conner adds quickly, noting my expression. “Just . . . making sure the right people notice what Kyle’s been up to.”

“And I suppose his digital marketing business might suddenly have some very unfortunate technical difficulties?” I exhale, a slow grin forming.

Xander is rubbing his fingers, tapping his thumbs together. “Computers are so unpredictable these days.”

“You guys are terrible.” I shake my head, but the tension in my chest eases.

Conner checks his watch. “Speaking of my sister, shouldn’t you be picking her up soon?”

“Elaine’s at her place.”

Conner squints at me. “Don’t need to know that.”

“Smooth, Ennis.” Xander flicks an almost nonexistent speck of dust from his pant leg.

I let a slow smile spread across my face. “Roxanne’s there too. Helping Isla get ready.”

Xander goes still. His grip tightens around his phone for half a second before he stands abruptly. “We should go. Let you finish getting ready.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And what exactly are you two doing tonight?”

Conner shrugs. “Hitting The Iron Tap. Maybe catch the game.”

“You two could try asking out the girls you’re clearly overreacting about and come to Couples’ Bingo Night together.”

“That event’s for people who are shamelessly in love. Like you.” Xander shoots me a flat look.

Conner watches him, smirking as he follows. “Good luck tonight.”

“You two are hopeless.”

Xander pauses at the door. “Says the guy who’s been in love with the same woman for fifteen years.”

“At least I’m doing something about it.”

I pace outside Isla’s door, adjusting my cuffs. This isn’t our first outing together. We’ve spent half our lives side by side, but tonight is different.

A text from Conner lights up my phone.

CONNER

Don’t screw this up.

ASHER

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

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