Page 40 of Is This for Real?
“I think she physically recoiled.”
“I don’t like her. And if he gets back with her forever, I’ll never see him again.”
It was true. If he married Callie, our friendship would be over. I wasn’t really risking our friendship if I told him I liked him because I’d lose it anyway if he got back together with Callie. But then I remember how I felt when Jamie rejected me. That gut-twisting, sinking feeling. But Rory is not going to say no, if last night was an indicator. So, I should tell him I like him.
“I just don’t see Rory going for Callie again. I mean, I can see her appeal initially, but he’s got to see her for who she is.” Zelda stacks our magazines on the coffee table in a pile. “And I didn’t get the chance to hear what happened yesterday. How did that go? Did everyone believe that you were dating?”
Yes. Including Rory. Until I shot that down.
“Yes.” And then I proceed to tell her about the “All in” averted ad catastrophe. She laughs.
My phone rings.
Rory says, “Sorry I couldn’t talk earlier. I was with Callie, but I’m on my way home now. I’m just approaching my building.” I can hear the sounds of cars honking in the background.
Hurray, he’s on his own. I give a thumbs-up sign to Zelda and mouthRory alone. Zelda nods knowingly.
I go into my room and shut the door. “Oh, I just talked it over with Zelda and she made me feel a lot better.”
“Did she criticize anyone else?” His voice sounds the same, a little distant maybe, but not like he’s cutting me off after I said no to kissing.
“Esther. I think because Esther defended me.” I prop the pillows up on my bed and lean against them, turning on the reading light over my bed. It’s dark outside.
“You should reach out to Esther and see what she thinks.”
“I’ve never talked to Esther outside of the group meetings, but . . .”
“Well, if you like her, you should,” Rory says easily.
The doors to my Waterside Way dollhouse are open across from my bed. “Across” is a euphemism. There’s no space between the bed and the shelf holding up my dollhouse. I have to kneel on the bed to stage scenes in it.
“I’m going to be talking to her a lot now. BecauseMini Maniamagazine wants to do an article on my latest blog storyline.”
“The one with the doll that looks like me?” he asks wryly.
“Yes, but he’s named Rob. Your secret is safe. And I haven’t said they’re fake dating online. I’ve left it ambiguous so far.”
“Your followers think they’re dating.”
“They hope they’re dating. And they’ve also invited me to participate in a ‘Meet the Miniaturists’ APT-TV charity event where they will auction off a room box of my creation. This should boost my Etsy store business.”
“That’s huge.” It sounds like he’s walking up the stairs now to his apartment. I feel like I am babbling because I am nervous as I consider broaching our “real” dating. I can’t do it over the phone. I need to see his reaction—be able to gauge it so I don’t reveal too much if it seems unwanted.
“And Esther suggests that I either pitch her editor withFake Dating Follyor self-publish it in time to include it with the room box for publicity.” I bite my nail.
“That’s a really smart idea. That will give you press and a huge push to your marketing.”
My stomach tightens at the thought, both with excitement and trepidation. “I’m calling her tonight to see what the deadlines are.”
“You can do it.” He continues, “Brunch tomorrow at your sister’s?”
“Yes, we should go over together. Otherwise, Olivia will be suspicious that we didn’t sleep together.”
“Okay, I’ll pick you up at your place. Around ten. I’m beat, so I’m going to go.”
We hang up. That conversation felt flat, like something had changed. I look out my dark window at the lit-up windows of the apartments across the way, TV screens flickering in some. He could just be tired. At least we’re meeting in person tomorrow so I can see if I’m just imagining this change and if I can restore “us.”
I pull down my shades and call Esther, who is still enthusiastic.
