Page 6 of Curvy Love

“Excellent.” I squeeze her hand again. “Go out with me,” I say.

“Oh, yeah that’s a good idea. I mean if we’re going to do this, we definitely need to get our story straight. And Mark wasn’t just blowing smoke, he has some great business contacts. This will be a great opportunity for you.”

I don’t give a shit about networking opportunities, but if it’ll get her to spend some time with me, then that works for me.

“Can I see your phone?” I hold my hand out to her and she reaches into her back pocket and slips out her phone, placing it on my palm.

I send myself a text message from her phone, then hand it back to her.

“I’ll text you my address. Come to my house tonight and I’ll cook you dinner.”

She smiles. “Okay.”

I kiss her cheek, then jog back to my taco truck to make sure my sisters haven’t destroyed anything.

Was my offer an underhanded move to ensure I can spend more time with Laurel. Maybe?

If there’s one thing my years as a Marine taught me: when you see a tactical advantage, you take it.

chapterthree

Laurel

The video screen on my laptop comes up and both my sisters’ faces appear. They’re together which immediately fills me with longing and a bit of sadness.

It’s our weekly video chat day, but I’ve had to move up the time because of my appointment with Alex. Yes, I know he sorta called it a date, but it’s not a date.

It’s just a chance to get together to work out the details of our fake relationship before going to Mark’s stupid wedding. I don’t want to go. But I know I should. Even before Mark and I were a couple, we were friends. We should still be able to be friends now. We weren’t meant to be and I’m happy he found Gwen, even if she seems a little bitchy to me.

As much as I don’t want to witness their blissful union first hand, I do really want to be the person who can be happy for her ex. It feels like the right thing to do. Like the attitude I should have as a modern, evolved human.

Plus, Mark is right about it being a good business opportunity for Alex. Combined, Mark and Gwen know pretty much everyone who’s anyone in the business and finance community in Starlight Bay. Even if I’m not thrilled to go to the wedding, I’m excited that Alex might have the chance to take his amazing tacos to the next level.

But for now, I focus on my one chance to talk to both my sisters this week. I’m just about to comment on how tired Willow looks, when she yawns widely and blinks sleepily at the camera. “Devil lady made me stay up too late again last night. And I haven’t been able to get to sleep yet because I have too much to do.”

Willow works for a former supermodel, whose fame, beauty, and money are totally overshadowed by her pure evil.

My attempts to be a better, more evolved human do not extend as far as wishing positive things for the bitch who tortures my baby sister.

“You need to quit that job,” I tell her. “It’s not right the way she treats you.”

“It pays really well. Once I save enough money, then I can quit, but not until then.”

“We’re not talking about Will’s job,” Paisley says. “You obviously have something going on otherwise you wouldn’t have moved our chat time. What’s going on?”

“I just can’t chat long because I have a thing tonight,” I say.

“What thing?” Willow asks.

“Yeah, you never have things anymore because you’ve been living like a hermit since Mark left you,” Paisley says.

I try not to wince because I know they’re right, but still the words kinda sting.

“I met Mr. Taco.”

Both of my sisters’ eyes widen and they lean forward as if choreographed to do so. “And?”

“We have a date tonight.”

---