Page 105 of Fake As Puck
“That’s great. What kind of work?”
“Content creation for a fashion brand. Three months guaranteed, with potential for extension.”
“Liv, that’s amazing. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks. And actually, that’s why I’m calling. I want you to stop paying me.”
There’s a pause. “What?”
“For the fake girlfriend thing. I don’t need the money anymore. I’ve got steady work now, and it feels weird taking payment for... whatever it is we’re doing.”
“You don’t want me to pay you,” he repeats like he’s confused.
“Right.”
“For the next wedding.”
“Yes.”
“Are you... are you still coming to the next wedding?”
“Of course. I said I would.”
“But not for money.”
I shake my head. “Not for money.”
“So, if not for the money, then why come?”
The question catches me off guard, because I didn’t think about this as a two-way transaction. Why am I still going to the wedding? What’s in it for me now that I don’t need the financial incentive?
“Because I said I would. We planned it. I want to still come,” I say finally. “Tessa will be there. It’s going to be fun.”
“Okay,” he says.
“Let’s think of it like this. You paid me for the first two weddings, let’s say those payments also cover the third wedding, okay?”
“Or you could take the money.”
“No,” I say stubbornly, even though five-hundred dollars would be great right now. “No. I’m not accepting any more money from you, okay.”
“If that’s what you want.”
I nod. “It is.”
“Okay. No more payments.”
“Great.”
“Great.”
We’re both quiet for a moment, and I can feel the conversation wanting to go somewhere deeper, but I’m not ready for that.
I’m not ready to analyze what it means that I want to see him again without financial motivation. I’m not ready to examine why the thought of not going to the wedding feels wrong.
I’m definitely not ready to think about what happened this weekend and whether it was a one-time thing or the beginning of something else.
“I should let you go,” I say. “Early day tomorrow.”
