Page 16 of Be My Compass

There.

She’s coming back.

Back to being my Kaelyn.

“We do this song and dance every time, Kae.” I settle into her couch. Spread my arm on the back of it. “Let’s just skip to the part where you order orange chicken and I get noodles and we move on.”

“What’s the fun in that? We eat Chinese every time.”

“Predictability is fun.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m going crazy tonight.”

“Ordering a salad?”

She gives me an offended look. “Pasta.”

“Fancy.”

“You’re paying.”

“When have I not?”

She stops. Thinks about it. “You’re right. So I’m paying.”

“Let’s not go that crazy.”

“I can afford it.” She slaps a hand on her hips.

“I know.” I meet her eyes. “But as long as I’m around, I’m taking care of you.”

Her lips tighten. That strange expression flits into her eyes.

Then she blinks.

And it’s gone.

Replaced with something serious. “I don’t understand why your mom wants me to go to that gala with you.”

“Kae, we’re done with that.”

“She doesn’t think I know about Make It Marriage. So why?”

“I don’t know.” I run my hands through my hair, frustrated by her pursuit of the topic. “You know how it is when we go out together. People are going to ask if we’re dating and we’re just going to tell them…” My words trail and my eyes widen.

“We’re going to tell them we’re not.” She gasps. “We're going to announce that you’re single.”

“It’s what mom wants.”

“She needs me out of the way, so I don’t mess up your odds of matching with someone. She wants everyone to hear and see and know that we’re not dating.”

“Damn.”

“She’s diabolical.”

“Kaelyn.”

“What? It’s true?”

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