Page 20 of Imperfect Player

Collapsing into my chair, I immediately reach for my phone and dial Chelle. She answers on the first ring.

“Well hey there, best friend,” Chelle says.

“Hey.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah, I just . . . Something strange happened.”

“Tell me more.”

Quickly, I delve into the details of Ethan’s arrival at Advantage, our quick conversation, and the dinner invitation that followed.

“You’re doing what?!” Chelle screams into the phone.

“I’m having dinner with Ethan.”

I repeat the words for her, knowing she needs the confirmation, and for myself so I can try to wrap my head around it.

“Dinner with Ethan fucking Ambrose. You lucky bitch.”

“It’s just dinner.”

We’re just friends.

“What time should I meet you at your place?” Chelle asks.

“For what?”

“To help you get ready.”

“I don’t need help getting ready. This isn’t a big deal. It’s not like it’s a date or anything.”

She ignores me and just continues on.

“We just did a photo shoot at work. There are a ton of amazing outfits.”

“It isn’t necessary,” I assure her, though I don’t think she believes me.

“So where is dinner anyway?”

“I don’t actually know.”

In fact, maybe I’m blowing all this out of proportion. Maybe he’ll change his mind and I’m freaking out for nothing.

As if somehow he could read my thoughts, a text comes through from Ethan.

Ethan: Rigors. 7pm. Don’t be late.

“We’re meeting at Rigors at seven,” I tell her. “Meeting. See? It’s not a date.”

“I’ll see you at five then.”

The phone disconnects before I can argue.

At 5 o’clock sharp, Chelle strolls into my apartment with an armful of clothes.

“What’s all this?” I ask as she drops them on my bed, plopping herself down next to them.

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