Page 7 of A Flighty Fake Boyfriend
“Absolutely.” Dan put his arm around me. “Considering a move?”
“No, I couldn’t. Vancouver puts me close to work.”
“But how often do you even need to be at headquarters? Isn’t most of your work online? You work remotely when you travel.”
“Last year I traveled a fair bit. Things have settled down lately.” We both knew that for the lie it was. Human trafficking was as old as time, and nothing could stop it. It was a wildfire that never ran out of fuel.
Dan gave me a slight hug, then let me go. “I don’t have to tell you that you can’t keep going like this.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t think so, Ryan. Not if you don’t take regular breaks.”
“I’m taking a vacation right now,” I pointed out the obvious.
“Some vacation. Your ex’s wedding has you tied up in knots.”
“Well, parts of this trip will be very fun, and there’s good news too. Apparently, I won a humanitarian award, and it comes with a sizable check for StolenLives. I’ll be heading to LA for a banquet to collect it next month.”
“That’s wonderful news.” Dan patted my back. “Well deserved. Nobody I know works harder for less money and accolades than you do.”
“I make plenty. I don’t even spend my salary because of the corporate apartment. Travel expenses are covered. What do I really need beyond that?”
“What you mean is, you don’t spend much on yourself.”
“I live pretty simply,” I admitted. “Which is a good thing because this wedding weekend is going to empty all my savings. The nightly rate at the hotel is appalling.”
“You deserve some luxury now and again.”
“That’s what I figured. Might as well enjoy my vacation in style.”
“That’s the spirit. Good man.” Dan gave me another hearty, approving pat on the back.
Salsa music announced the cantina before we got there. A cluster of club-kid types stood outside the doors. I saw my server from the restaurant among them and waved.
“Hey, hello.” He detached from the group and came toward us. “Hi, Daniel. How’s Cam?”
Daniel smiled indulgently. “Cam’s doing great. Thanks for asking. You out here partying?”
He nodded. “I worked this morning so I have tonight off.”
“Thanks for the drink you gave me earlier,” I said. “I felt a hundred percent better after drinking it.”
“I told you.” He winked. “Mango lassi’s my grandmother’s cure for everything. But maybe don’t get hungover again.”
“I’ll try not to.” I glanced over at his friends; three men and two women. They stared and whispered amongst themselves. They were probably still in college and they were obviously checking me out. Awkward. “Thanks again.”
“We dine.” Daniel drew me toward the restaurant’s door. I waved a limp goodbye and went with him.
“You know him?” I asked.
Daniel glanced back at the knot of kids. “Epic? Everyone knows him.”
“So, his name isn’t Bob?” I asked dryly. “Or Jeremy or Muse?”
Daniel laughed. “Was he wearing the Muse name tag at Bistro this morning? You can’t go by that. He just picks up whatever badge he feels like from some box. His name is actually Epic. Nice kid.”
“Epic.” I’d met a ton of kids with street names over the years. Epic fit him brilliantly.
