Page 53 of The Problem with Perfect

She seems like a really nice person, but she’s also engaged to Connor, who is rapidly falling from his long-standing perch on the shiny throne of my admiration. I can only imagine she’s calling to schedule another coffee date, and to be honest, I’m on the fence.

Ultimately, my inability to let people down forces me to accept the call.

“Hey.”

“Hi, Bellamy. How’s your morning going?”

I snort. “Dreamy. Just staring at my computer screen, bored as hell and wishing I were doing just about anything else. How about you?”

“My day is going a little better than yours, I think. Connor took some time off for the three-day weekend, and we’re heading out on Mr. Pruitt’s boat today.”

“That definitely sounds like a lot more fun than this.”

“I love that you say that, because I wanted to invite you and Rusty to come along.”

Internally I groan.Shit.An afternoon on a boat with Connor? I can’t imagine something I want less.

“You know, I think Rusty’s busy today, but I can call him and check,” I offer, hoping for a way out.

“Yeah, give him a call to see, but you should come either way. Sounds like you could use a break from whatever you’re working on.”

I instantly realize my mistake. I’ve basically painted myself into a corner. By saying I was bored, I’ve implied that I have free time. By saying going out on a boat sounds fun, I’ve already made it clear that I’d enjoy going along.

Shit.

“Alright, well…I’ll check with Rusty and let you know.”

“Awesome! I think we’re leaving in like an hour or so. Just text me.”

We say our goodbyes and I rest my forehead against my desk, thumping it gently against the wood a few times for good measure. Me and Stace and Connor on a boat together…god, that sounds terrible.

After giving myself a few seconds, I call Rusty, hoping like hell he answers his phone.

“What’s up?”

“Please tell me you’re free today.”

There’s a pause, and I can imagine his serious face thinking it over before responding.

“Why?”

I sigh. “Can you tell me if you’re free first?”

“No.”

Groaning, I push back from my desk and walk over to my bed, dramatically flopping down on my mess of blankets, my bed still unmade from this morning.

“Just tell me what’s going on.”

“Stace invited us to go out with Connor on his dad’s boat for the day, and I can’t imagine something more horrible, so I’m hoping you’re free to come with.”

“If you can’t imagine something more horrible, just say you can’t go.”

“I already basically said I can.”

Rusty is silent again for a long moment.

“I mean, this is why we’re fake dating right? This is the kind of thing you agreed to do.”

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