Page 31 of Fake As Puck
“What’s so funny?”
“This is ridiculous. We’re taking fake couple photos for a fake relationship.”
“It’s not fake if it’s for a real purpose.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” She’s still giggling, and I can’t help but smile because her laugh is infectious.
“Try to look natural,” I say, angling the phone.
“I am looking natural.”
“You’re looking like you’re trying not to laugh.”
“Because I am trying not to laugh.”
“Well, stop.”
“I can’t just stop.”
“Think about something serious.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Taxes.”
“Taxes?”
“Yeah. Think about taxes.”
“That’s not going to work.”
“Why not?”
“Because now I’m thinking about taxes and fake relationships and it’s even funnier.”
She’s laughing harder now, and I’m laughing too because she’s right, this is ridiculous.
“Okay,” I say, lowering the phone. “Let’s take a break.”
We sit there for a moment, and I realize I’m still holding her hand.
“Were you really holding a glass of water when your girlfriend broke up with you?”
I feel my face heat up. “You remembered that?”
“Yeah,” she mocks. “That’s so specific.”
“It was eight in the morning. I was hydrating.”
“And she just... broke up with you? While you were drinking water?”
“Yeah. She said we were barely together anyway.”
“Were you?”
“I guess. I don’t know. I thought we were dating, but apparently she thought we were just... hanging out.”
“That’s rough.”
