Page 12 of The Holiday Fakers
“Hmm, we can put our heads together over the holidays. You still coming on Friday?”
“Yeah.”
I scroll through my apps to my sister’s social feed. No wonder Brody’s agent knew everything about me. There are photos documenting Harper’s last visit, complete with every detail of my everyday life and future travel plans, as if the whole world should be as interested as she is.
“Great. I’ll pop in and help soften the blow if you don’t find a boyfriend between now and then.”
We say our goodbyes, then I pull up the pictures of Brody hugging someone dressed like me. Marv wants me and Brody to fake a relationship, however Brody seemed to like that idea about as much as a hole in the head.
My phone pings, and my heart sinks when I see who it is.
Mom: YOU MUST TELL ME IF YOUR BEAU HAS ANY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS XOXO
My mom lives for my happiness, and I want to protect hers. It’s a dynamic that landed me here—promising a boyfriend for Christmas like a gift I now can’t deliver.
Mom: AND EILEEN WANTS TO MEET HIM!
Mom: EVERYONE WANTS TO MEET THE LUCKY GUY!
Mom: LOVE YOU, HONEY! XOXO
I slip my hand in my coat pocket, feeling the sharp corner of Marv’s business card. I need to stop thinking about his crazy idea and stop thinking about Brody. So, I force my mind back to the problems at work: how to sell a printer, how to avoid being the company mascot, how to save my job.
An idea jolts through me like an electric shock.
Fingers trembling, and mild hysteria fizzing in my veins, I take out the card and dial the number.
It connects after one ring.
“Marv DeVille speaking.”
“Hi, it’s, uh … Piper.”
“Piper! Hey! Great to hear from you! You been thinking about my idea? Got an answer for us?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Um, yeah. I’ll do it?—”
“Yes!” I swear I can practically hear him fist-pump.
“On one condition.”
“Name your price.”
“I don’t want any money.”
“You don’t?”
“No. I want Brody to do something for me in return for me being his … his fake girlfriend.”
“Anything. What can he do for you Piper?”
I tell him.
Silence.
Then Marv exhales. “O-kay … Let me run it by the big man and get back to you.”
I stare at my phone, my pulse thudding in my ears.
