Page 16 of That First Date

I headed straight for Old Jose. When Peyton moved to the city, we made it our weekly thing to get together for girls’ night. What better day than Tuesday right? We quickly learned that tacos help solve all our problems.

Peyton had already texted us that she was running a few minutes late. With her living outside of the city now, sometimes it takes a little longer for her to get in with traffic.

I gasp when I see Kali sitting at our usual booth, I almost didn’t recognize her.

“Kali! Your hair!”

“Do you like it?” She smiles and twirls her loose curls around in her fingers.

She must have had her hair done today while I was at work. This morning it was a light brown and tonight, it’s a bright, coppery-orange shade. It’s literally the most perfect shade for her.

“I freakin love it.” I beam. “It’s the perfect color for you.”

“Thank you,” she says confidently. “This was the first time in my life where I dyed my hair red and itwasn’tbecause I was having a mental breakdown. Every time in high school or college if the hair was red… it was because I was unwell.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Peyton is going to lose her shit. In the best way possible of course.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Peyton comes walking into the restaurant.

“Kali Peterson!” she shrieks. “I didn’t think you would do it, but you did! I AM OBSESSED!”

Kali places a hand on her stomach and gives a little bow from her seat like she’s done good.

“You can totally pass as the muse for the main character of that cowboy romance I just finished and passed down to you. Your personality totally matches hers too.”

“I take that as a compliment,” Kali chuckles from her seat. “Now that we’re all here. Avery, what was with the SOS text earlier today.”

I groan as I fall back in my seat.

“This morning when I walked into the office, Marc was in a total mood. No joke, it looked like his fucking cat ran away,” I huff. “But he doesn’t have a cat.”

“Clearly,” Peyton pipes up. “He’s a dog guy.”

“I know that now. But his problem was that his boss Bill isvacationinghere this summer,” I say using air quotes to emphasize that it’s indeed not a vacation. “And said boss, has not made a decision about the future of Prestige Horizons.”

“Oh Christ.” Kali shakes her head. “I see where this is going.”

As soon as the words leave her mouth, the waiter arrives with our margaritas that Kali had ordered for us.

“Perfect timing for the best part.” I pause for dramatic effect because, why not? And take a long sip of the tequila infused beverage. “He’s asked me to play the role of his fake fiancé for the entire summer.”

“Shit.” Peyton sighs. “I saw that coming.”

“What do you mean?”

“Thomas met up with Marc for a late lunch yesterday after his meeting.” She sighs. “He said something about how Marc was going through some shit in his head with having to let you know the arrangement would have to be back on.”

I feel a pinch in my chest hearing that. Which is oddly strange because normally I just don’t care. But I remember the look on his face when I walked into the office this morning. He was clearly beside himself with worry. I have known from day one as his assistant, that this job means the world to him.

“I don’t know what to do if I'm being honest,” I admit while shaking my head. “I know Marc and I have this strange relationship packed with sarcasm and the fact we can’t stand each other because we are polar opposites… it’s just who we are.” I shrug. “But faking an entire relationship?”

“Your feelings are totally valid,” Kali chimes in.

“And to add… I’ve been seeing Dean casually,” I laugh. “I mean I’m pretty sure he thinks we are exclusive. Which would be news to me.”

“You’ve done casual things before and ended it amicably. This won’t be any different.” Kali shrugs.

“Andnot to sound like I need something out of this… but what do I get out of this arrangement? I have to put my dating life on hold—”

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