Page 82 of Swiped
Now, Nat and Rami turned to Tracy together.
“What do you mean?” asked Nat. “We just met up for drinks a couple times!
“Yeah, and the kissing was a one-time thing!” said Rami.
Allison jumped in her seat. “You kissed?”
Nat scoffed. “It was a little more than that.”
Thom huffed like he’d been punched and shifted in his chair.
“OK, fine, we kind of almost had sex, but we both agreed that it didn’t mean anything, Tracy!” Rami was starting to gleam withsweat as his voice grew louder and more high-pitched. “Tracy, it was basically just a kiss!”
Tracy blinked, her face frozen in a stony expression.
Nat realized this must be what it looks like when someone with extensive media training cracks. She could guess that because she, for comparison, felt like waves of lava were radiating through her body as rainforests of sweat formed in her armpits. Nat wanted her old life back, and she would do it all differently this time. But since that was impossible, she just desperately wanted off this stage. “Just tell us who won!” she snarled.
Tracy grinned back into her professional self. “It looks like you both did. Now let’s take a quick break!” She stood and drew the cameras away from Nat and Rami. “How about we throw to our live coverage of the BuzzFill Cuteness Overload Petting Zoo tent where I’m told there are baby sloths?” She clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Let’s all look at some baby sloths for a bit.”
The lights dimmed as V scurried forward to confer with Tracy.
Allison stood and pointed a finger at Rami’s face. “This changes everything.” She pulled off her mic and stormed off the stage.
“Bye,” said Nat.
Rami jumped up and whirled to Nat. “Now I understand why you made such a heartless app.”
He ran after Allison.
Nat turned to Tracy, who was pulling off her mic.
“So, that’s it?”
Tracy gave her side-eye. “They literally left. And do you really want that trainwreck to continue?” She waved her glowing phone toward Nat. “Looks like the online mob is saying thatyou won, so just ride the trending topic for the next twenty-four hours and enjoy our open bar.”
Thom stood up and smoothed his suit. “A stiff drink is definitely in order,” he said coldly, but he turned and held out his hand to Nat.
Nat hesitated, but all she could seem to feel was the glare of the lights and the adrenaline crashing through her chest. She took his hand and followed him offstage.
Chapter 20
Nat leaned against a wall at the edges of the BuzzFill BuzzForce opening party. Thom swept toward her through the thick crowd with two glasses of champagne. She took one, staring into the bubbles, as he took a long, satisfied sip.
“So, you’re not mad that I kissed Rami?” she said, wishing she had about three more glasses of champagne on hand.
“Not at all. People can be rather uptight and possessive in relationships, if you ask me.” Thom shook his head and then patted his hair back into place. “I don’t begrudge anyone a little fun.” He winked at her. “Besides, the best man won.”
Nat managed a weak laugh as Thom wrapped an arm around her. Given his history with Rami’s sister, his words weren’t exactly a comfort.
“Besides, controversy is the currency of the internet,” he said. “You were like one of those catty housewives or something, and drama means followers for both of us. I can’t wait to see what Lauren in social media has to say to me tomorrow,” he said, surveying the party.
“So, you think I was mean?” Nat implored.
“Oh, my dear, vicious! You humiliated that poor girl.” He planted a kiss on the top of her head.
Nat’s stomach twisted. “Why did I do that?”
“That guy was going after your baby. You went all Mama Bear and it was fucking sexy.” Thom roared very loudly. A few heads turned.
