Page 18 of The Problem With Pretending

GRACE: Ah, coffee destroyer. That’s one way to remind me who you are.

ME: Just in case you didn’t save my number.

GRACE: I didn’t. Good thing you specified which William you are.

ME: Do you know many?

GRACE: I study at Cambridge. What do you think?

ME: Of course. I’m not interrupting you, am I?

GRACE: Interrupting what? My procrastination? Not really.

ME: Oh, well, as long as you’re only procrastinating.

GRACE: Something like that. What’s up?

ME: Not a lot, just thought I’d reach out.

GRACE: Okay… So what do you want?

I snorted.

ME: Who said I want anything?

GRACE: You’ve text me out of the blue, two days after we met. I’m assuming there’s some crazy scheme you’re cooking up that you want me to be a part of.

Shit.

She was good.

ME: My sister is getting married in three weeks. I need a plus one, or my grandfather is going to set me up with someone. I don’t have many options, so… up for it?

That’s it, William.

“Up for it?” always gets the ladies going.

Jesus Christ.

GRACE: Oh, wow. You actually do have a crazy scheme. And here I was thinking I’d read too many books.

ME: I’m not sure there is such a thing.

GRACE: Whoa, slow down. You’ll make me fall in love with you if you keep talking like that.

ME: This is ridiculous. Forget I asked.

GRACE: Is your grandpa really going to set you up? How bad would that be?

ME: Have you ever online dated?

GRACE: Noted.

GRACE: When is the wedding?

Was she asking because she was considering it?

ME: The first. In Scotland. I’ll be there for a while, so…

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