Page 7 of Is This for Real?
Rory and I glance at each other.We don’t have a cover story.The waitress arrives and sets down our plates. We move dishes around to make space for all our choices.Think, think. I make up stories.I take my half of our breakfast.
“Recently.” Like an hour ago. “You’re the first to know. I was crying over an agent rejection and Rory was comforting me, and one thing just led to another.” Which is a phrase I sometimes use in my plot outlines when I don’t know what is going to happen, other than it all has to go wrong. I pause. The thing is, I don’t cry over agent rejections. I’m not much of a crier anymore. So, Jamie might see the hole.
Rory kisses my cheek, lingering. It doesn’t feel like the casual brush against my cheek of a hello kiss. His nose nuzzles my neck. My insides do a little dance of butterflies.Unexpected.When he pulls away, I lean my head on his shoulder, hoping that looks lovey-dovey. Also, that just leaves the top of my head to kiss.Safer.
“It’s the best friends-become-lovers thing. My personal favorite of the romcom tropes,” Rory says. Our glances meet, as if he’s trying to tell me something. I can’t recall which book I gave him with that trope. He says, “My favorite romcom movie isWhen Harry Met Sally.”
Jamie leans back, apparently recovered from his shock. “It’s great that you guys got together.”
He believes it.
He continues, “Mom will be thrilled, especially because she always tells me that you’re not dating anyone.”
I sit back up. My shoulders tense. Rory shifts to put his arm around me.
Obviously, Jamie hasn’t told his mom that I declared my love for him. But then he wouldn’t—because his mom and my mom, who were best friends, always joked about our dating.
“Some things are worth the wait,” Rory says. His hand rubs my neck, under my curls, the pressure of his hand easing the tension. I had no idea Rory was so good at massages. We’ve always kept a certain physical distance between us—as friends. I stretch my neck and glance at him. Our gazes catch.Zap.Like a current of electricity between us.We’re better at this than I thought possible.
Jamie looks transfixed. Probably because he’s never seen me being physically affectionate with a man before, only cats and dogs. His eyes have narrowed.Unless he’s onto us? Maybe we’re going overboard?
“How do you like living in Singapore?” Rory asks Willow. I give him a “thank you” look, as I’m quite desperate to move away from my dating life—and to eat. The eggs are fluffy with just a hint of butter.
“I love it, but that’s also because Jamie’s there.” Willow dips a piece of lettuce in the dressing.
Rory guides the conversation into less personal waters—for me—asking them more about life in Singapore. Jamie tells a funny story about some over-the-top party they went to. Willow pipes in with additional details. Her brown eyes are fringed with long, black eyelashes. I can definitely see her appeal.
“Where are you from?” I ask.
“I’m from Seattle,” she says.
“How do you like New York so far?” I ask.
“New York is nice, but a bit dirty,” Willow says.
Rory puts his hand on mine. I get very defensive when people criticize New York. He asks quickly, “What made you move to Singapore?”
“I got this amazing job in hotel hospitality.”
I hope she doesn’t hospitably tell visiting New Yorkers that their city is a bit dirty.
Rory asks what she does. I listen carefully to her response because I’m always looking for careers for my characters. It does sound like a great career for a character, if not an entire novel, based on the hotel staff and visitors.
We discuss what they’re planning to do in New York. Jamie has almost finished his food.
“So, are you going to catch up with Lex?” I ask. Lex is Jamie’s best friend from high school.
“No.”
“Why not? Is he traveling?”
“No, we had a falling out. He lied to me. He started dating Sally and lied to my face that he wasn’t.”
I shiver. I hope he doesn’t feel the same way about my pretending to date Rory, even if he did react strongly to the announcement.
Jamie’s phone beeps. As he reads the message, he strokes Willow’s hair. “I have to run. The counter-offer has come in, and we’re meeting to discuss it back at the office.” He kisses Willow on the lips, then says to her, “Sorry about this. Maybe we can arrange to meet your friends for drinks another time.”
I shoot Rory a “don’t you dare” look. I am not doing fake kissing on the lips.
