Page 79 of Swiped
“But?”
“But . . . do you look at him the way you look at Rami?” Jo shrugged as a flush lit her cheeks. “I know, he’s your competition, but once I saw you two together, I can’t un-see it — in a good way. Justin and I have been talking about it non-stop since we watched you two at the rooftop interview. It was like, fireworks, explosions, you wanna kill each other but also rip each other’s clothes off! It was way too cute.” She giggled and then grew serious. “Sorry if that was overstepping.”
Nat felt the truth of Jo’s giddy admission swirl in her vision like stars. Rami. Of course, Nat knew just how deeply he had become lodged in her heart, but the fact that it was so obvious as to be a topic of conversation between the twins? That was a new data point — one that she didn’t quite know what to do with yet, especially since she was hours away from publicly declaring her victory over him and his crusade against her app.
At least she had done something about the situation with Jo. She crossed her hands over her heart and gave Jo a warm look. “Thank you,” she said. “And I’m sorry that I put you in thisposition. I’m gonna work on my personal friendships outside of work, I promise.”
“We can be friends! Iwantto be friends!” said Jo. “You know, work friends, and you’re still also my boss, so . . .” She gave a nervous laugh and trailed off.
Nat clapped her hands and stood. “As your boss, I officially demand that we get back to work.” She glanced at the clock. “Which, today, means that I have to go report on my dating life on a livestream in front of a room full of strangers, just so I can keep this company from crashing to the ground.”
Jo brushed some non-existent dirt off her shoulders. “No big deal, just another day.”
“Right? Good thing my love life isn’t confusing at all!” Nat gathered her things.
“I know! So grateful for that,” chimed Jo, pulling on her coat and heaving a bag full ofTeam Natshirts and swag.
Nat held open the door for Jo as they left. “And super good that the internet is full of generous, mentally stable people who won’t rush to judgment.” She turned off the office lights and locked the door. “Never been happier.”
* * *
Nat and Jo approached the expo. It was in the same building as Tech-Talk had been, back when the whole, ridiculous bet started. There was, again, a line of people snaking around the entire block to get in. Neon pink and navy BuzzFill BuzzForce flags and banners flashed in the strong wind.
No turning back now.
Jo shouldered open the glass doors and jerked her chin toward Nat. “You coming?”
Nat shook her head. “You go ahead. Thom wants to meet out here so we can walk in together.”
Jo smiled through a flicker of concern. “OK, well good luck out there,” she chirped, stepping into the swirling crowd of people inside the expo. “See you on the other side!”
* * *
Nat and Thom settled into their director’s chairs on the stage as producers scurried around them. Nat eyed the two empty chairs for Rami and Allison.
Thom squeezed her hand and surveyed the rows and rows of empty audience seats with gleaming eyes. “Not a bad way to spend an evening, right?” he said.
He had arrived at their designated spot right on time, and in a perfectly tailored dove gray wool suit. He wore a navy-and-pink paisley pocket square and navy socks with bright pink geometric accents under his toffee brown brogues. Of course, he had matched his accessories to the BuzzFill branding. It also explained why he had urged her to wear the navy-and-pink striped sweater she was currently sporting. She squirmed in it, wishing he’d just said it was to coordinate with his look, which was coordinated to the event. Instead, he’d given her a line about how the colors brought out her beautiful complexion, and now she wondered if that were even true.
“Exciting.” Nat nodded and pulled on her denim jacket.
Rami approached the stage in a brisk walk-run. A curvy, red-headed woman wearing an emerald dress and a determined expression followed behind him. This, Nat guessed, was Allison. Even out of breath from clearly having rushed here, she was still prettier than Nat had hoped. Much, much prettier.
They took their seats next to her and Thom.
Nat felt Thom stiffen beside her at Rami’s entrance. She put her hand on his leg to calm whatever storm was brewing. “Hey, lovebirds!” she sang to Rami, waving.
“Cool it,” warned Rami.
“What? I can’t be happy for the couple about to try and destroy me?”
Rami turned to Allison, whose curls seemed to naturally settle into perfect formation as soon as she sat down. “Just ignore her.”
Thom leaned in and extended his hand to Allison. “Hello, lovely to meet you.” He flashed a brilliant grin. “Don’t worry, these interviews never last long and viral content has a mercifully short shelf life.”
“Oh, I know,” Allison answered, giving him a perky handshake.
Rami shot Thom a murderous look. “Isn’t it lovely to see me, Thom?”
