Page 12 of Great Pretender
We were so determined to prove the damn thing wrong that we kissed. Brief though it was, the feel of his lips on mine did something to me. It was like some spell had been broken or like the veil over my eyes had been wiped away.
It was brief-ish, and we both acted like it was nothing after, like we really proved the quiz wrong. While he seemed fine, I wasn’t the same.
Twelve years have passed since, and time has done little to fade the kiss from my mind. I’m twenty-eight years old now and still acting like it meant nothing.
Sometimes though, I find myself wondering what would have happened if I’d told him how I felt.
What stopped me was knowing that crossing the line would mean the end of our friendship.
In the same breath, I can’t help but want every man I meet to have all the qualities I love in him.
That brings me to reason number two, and it’s the same reason for not telling Chad about Heath sooner. I don’t want to feel like the only man I have in my head as the perfect guy is Chad, then be disappointed because I can’t step outside the box.
Chad isn’t a relationship kind of guy, and I can’t imagine him with anyone ordinary like me. He’s always been attached to women who look like walking Barbies and Victoria’s Secret models.
Even way back in high school, Chad was always the same. I was the girl who always showed support—the friend in waiting.
Jesus, listen to me. I’ve just been staring at the door thinking these outlandish thoughts. Why am I even thinking about Chad like that?
I need to stop right the hell now and not add to my plate that’s already tipping over with everything life could possibly throw my way. I already thought the world ended when Mom died. Then I discovered that was just the beginning, and I’d have to fight if I wanted success.
With that in mind, I think it’s best I stick to the plan of staying here for a few days.
5
Chad
Iwalk into the office suited and booted.
I thought it called for it. This is my safe tactic. Look appealing and professional. That’s my greatest weapon. It distracts from the problem at hand.
The majority of the staff here have a smart casual appearance. Usually, I’m the same, opting for a button-down shirt and slacks. Today, however, I need to make sure I get on my father’s good side.
I’m hoping he used the night to cool off. There was no way I could have spoken to Dad last night and not with Piper in the state she was in.
I know I’ll pay for that.
I take the stairs to the management floor and am glad when I see Billy, the PR manager.
He’s talking to Murray. Both wave me over, so I pick up my pace and head over to them, avoiding all the curious eyes darting my way.
I can tell from the expressions on their faces that a battle is about to ensue.
“Chad,” Billy begins. “Things are not good.”
“What’s going on?”
“Chad, this is one time when I wish you could have kept your dick in your pants,” Murray says.
“I remember everything. I didn’t sleep with either of the women.” Last night, I sent both Billy and Murray a message letting them know what I remembered.
“That’s not what Tiffany’s saying,” Billy cuts in.
He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a copy ofThe Gossip, the sister tabloid toThe Enquirer. Tiffany is constantly feeding them stories from her racy life. To my horror, I’m the topic of today’s discussion.
Fuck.
My All-Night Romp with Lover Boy Chad Holdsworth
