Page 92 of Faker
“Really? I never noticed. How funny. I guess we’re twins after all,” Natalie says. “She’s observant. Definite keeper.”
She winks at Tate and he turns red yet again. Seeing how easily he blushes in front of family and friends makes my stomach flip.
Natalie turns to look around the room and waves down an in-shape man with dark hair and a golden tan. She introduces me to her boyfriend, Eli, and Tate shakes his hand. Before I can ask him polite introductory questions, a petite girl runs up to Natalie and pulls her into a jump hug. They both squeal, then excitedly chatter. An old classmate, I’m guessing. A handful of other people greet Natalie the exact same way over the next minute. Soon she’s pulled away along with Eli into a nearby group.
“See what I mean?” Tate gestures with his cup. “Everyone loves her.”
“She’s like a politician. Charisma emanates from her like perfume. Only with her, it’s genuine.”
The two of us lean against the wall and silently observe.
“Feel free to join her. Or Brendan. I’ll be fine here on my own,” I say.
“Nah. I’m good right here.”
“Isn’t there anyone you want to see?” I point to Brendan gesturing animatedly to a group of mostly guys, then to Natalie, who is surrounded by a gaggle of peppy ladies.
“The only person I want to see is standing next to me.”
He shoots me a side glance and faces ahead again. I can’t help but smile. After a minute of silently standing next to each other, I realize how calm and content I am. Witnessing Tate’s natural easewhen he’s surrounded by the people closest to him is an utter pleasure.
“This is nice.” I look up at him.
“It is.” He gazes at me, affection in his stare.
Our moment is interrupted when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
“You made it!” a high-pitched voice says.
When I turn around, a slender Asian woman narrows her gaze at me.
“Oh, sorry! I thought you were someone else.” She lets out a string of giggles.
“No worries.”
She does a double take when she spots Tate standing behind me. “Oh, hey, Tate. Long time no see.” She doesn’t bother to disguise her stunned tone.
“Yup.” He offers a head bob and deadpan stare.
“What have you been up to? It’s been years.”
“Not a whole lot.” He shrugs. “Rock climbing, playing rugby, revolutionizing the power tool industry. The usual.”
“Um, okay, then.” She furrows her brow, then turns back to me. “Sorry again for running into you.”
She shuffles away. Tate grabs my hand and leads me to the snack table.
“Who was that?” I crane my neck to get a glimpse of the mystery woman, but she’s lost in the crowd. A handful of people peek at us, then look away.
“Jaclyn. We weren’t close,” he mumbles.
“I can tell.”
“We had a few friends in common. She’s all about the small talk. I never was.”
My stomach growls, reminding me that it’s dinnertime and I’ve eaten nothing. “I think it’s time for some cake.”
The smell of sickly sweet sugar hits my nostrils. I grab the biggest piece I can find and shovel it into my mouth.
