Page 60 of Fake As Puck
Even though it was never really started.
I wanted fake. I paid for it. I got exactly what I asked for. A beautiful woman who played the part of my girlfriend perfectly and then went home and forgot about me.
15
The email notification pops up on my phone while I’m folding laundry at my parents’ house, and for a second I think it’s another rejection from a potential client.
Instead, it’s a flight confirmation.
From West.
Seattle departure July 1st, 3:20 PM. Return July 8th.
No message. No “looking forward to seeing you” or “hope this works for your schedule.” Just a plane ticket, like he’s booking a business meeting.
Which, I remind myself, is exactly what this is.
I stare at the confirmation email for longer than necessary, then screenshot it and shove my phone in my pocket.
“Everything okay?” my dad asks from the kitchen table, where he’s going through the mail I sorted yesterday.
“Yeah. Just work stuff.”
“Good work stuff or bad work stuff?”
“Good, I think. A client wants me to come back for another project.”
“That’s great, mija. When?”
“Next week.”
“How long?” he asks
“A week.”
“Must be a good client if they’re flying you back so soon.”
“Yeah.” I grin. “Must be.”
When I get to Tessa’s house that afternoon, she takes one look at my face and immediately pours me a glass of wine.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, settling Charlie in front of the TV with a snack.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I mutter, even though it’s probably written all over my face.
“You have that look,” she says.
“What look?” I ask.
“The look you get when you’re overthinking something that should be simple.”
I pull out my phone and show her the flight confirmation.
“Oh,” she says, studying the screen. “He’s bringing you back early.”
“Well, the wedding’s not until the fifth, which is fine, but my parents. I worry about them.”
“Maybe West wants to spend time with you before the wedding. Don’t you have to travel there? It’s on the coast, right?”
