Page 18 of The Emerson Effect
“Yeah, I mean, you can do whatever you want, but I was thinking maybe you could appear flattered and interested. Then we can do a whole series of videos of us flirting with each other up until we finally meet face-to-face.”
She nods, her eyes unfocused like she’s lost in thought. Then her eyes snap back to her phone screen.
“It’s a really good plan.”
“So, you’re definitely in?” I ask, lighting up inside at her praise.
“I’m definitely in.”
ELEVEN
Twila
“Hey. Get in here,” I say, pulling Joey through the door and wrapping her in a tight hug.
“I’d say you’ve missed me, but it’s only been a few days since we last saw each other,” she says with a chuckle as she squeezes me back.
I release her to close the door, then lead her into my living room. She jerks her head toward the bottle and two stemless glasses I left on the coffee table earlier before slumping onto the couch.
“Wine? This must be serious.”
I laugh at her dark tone as I make a show of unscrewing the cap on the wine. “Not so serious. It doesn’t even have a cork.”
“Eh. Corks are pretentious little bastards, anyway.” She shoots me a smile of thanks as I hand her a half-filled glass before pouring my own. “So, what’s up? Why did I need to rush over here for cheap wine on a Monday night?”
“Can’t I just want to hang out and sip a little Pinot with my best friend?”
“Sure,” she says, narrowing her eyes, “but I sense there’s more. I’ve got that bestie tingle.”
“Ugh,” I groan, setting my glass down. “Never say ‘bestie tingle’ again. It sounds obscene.”
“You wish,” she says with a smirk.
“Well,” I say drawing out the word as my eyes track down and back up her body.
A laugh bursts out of her, then she shakes her head. “Spill it, T.”
“Okay, fine,” I grumble in an exaggerated capitulation. “Remember that video I showed you of Emerson and the margarita?”
“Yeah,” she says, drawing out the word like a question.
“Well, I was right. It was for me.”
“Okay,” she says like she’s waiting for the punchline.
“It went super viral, and it gave Emerson an idea. He wants to keep making videos like that and, eventually, admit it’s me so we can start a fake relationship to boost both our accounts.”
Joey manages to swallow the drink she’d been taking as her eyes flare wide. “A fake relationship?”
“Yeah. We’ll flirt back and forth for a while, then we’ll meet in person and film some content together before eventually splitting up. Amicably, of course.”
“Of course,” she says, her tone edged with sarcasm.
“What? You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“No. I think it’s agreatidea.” She shakes her head. “No offense, but I just don’t see you going through with something like that.”
“Why not?” I ask, the teensiest bit offended.
