Page 82 of The Holiday Fakers
His eyes snap to mine and he blinks.
Once again, I can’t read his expression, so I clap my hands and bounce on the bed like a tween at a sleepover. “I’m so excited for you!”
He clears his throat. “I haven’t gotten it yet. I might still be in New York next year.”
I shrug, trying to play it cool even as my heart cracks. “You’re really talented. You’ll get the job.”
I take the tablet. “You wanted me to send you the pictures? No problem.” I tap quickly on the screen. “Yep, there’s your email address … sharing a Google Drive link now … And … done. You’ve got them.”
Bouncing off the bed, I grab my pajamas and fake a yawn. “I’m going to take a quick shower and get ready for bed. It’s been a long day.”
I put the tablet to sleep, toss it into my open suitcase, then dash out of the room and down the corridor into the bathroom.
Inside, I sit on the seat of the toilet and hold my head in my hands.
It was a fake kiss for a fake relationship. To get him a real job.
Things couldn’t be more different from when we were teenagers. Our shared history feels like a lifetime ago, and now we’ve got nothing in common.
Back then, I still had my whole life ahead of me. Now? I’m pushing thirty, and none of the dreams I had for adulthood havematerialized, while Brody’s achieved more than any of us ever imagined possible.
I didn’t realize until the last few minutes how lonely I’ve been in Brooklyn. I’ve just been pushing the feelings down and getting on with life. But now, back in Hideaway with the people who mean the most to me, it only magnifies how alone I feel.
And the last straw? The kiss that sparked a bubbling, ridiculous hope that Brody and I could actually be a thing. All those future possibilities fizzing up inside me like Mentos in a bottle of soda, only for reality to come along and toss the whole thing straight in the trash.
Brody’s a famous actor who dates other famous actors and works all over the globe.
Meanwhile, I’m scraping by in a Brooklyn one-bed and just got dumped by a future coworker for the receptionist.
I take a steadying breath, strip off my clothes, and step into the shower.
Everything’s going to be okay.
I just need to manage my expectations.
Brody’s helping me with Mom, and I’m helping him land an incredible job. I should be happy for him.
And make sure we never kiss again.
Brody springsup from where he’s been sitting on the edge of the bed as I enter the bedroom.
He runs a hand through his hair. “Er … Are you …?”
I force a sunny smile. “Yep! I’m done. Bathroom’s all yours!”
I give him a wide berth as I make my way to the other side of the bed, grabbing earplugs and an eye mask on the way.
“Night-night, Brody,” I say as I get into bed. “Sweet dreams!”
Then I jam in the earplugs, shove on the eye mask, and turn onto my side, facing away from him.
Even though my hearing is muffled, I still make out his heavy sigh, then the click of the door as he leaves the room.
I press my lips together to hold the fake smile in place and force myself to breathe evenly.
Exhaustion drapes over every part of me, and I silently pray I’ll be asleep before he comes back.
CHAPTER 16
