Page 78 of The Sound Of Silence

“You mean the one with you and your boyfriend?” I laugh, picturing her and Mason in another social media campaign.

“Yes, exactly that. And you may have noticed I never actually named names. People see what they want to see.”

“But it’s Jesse you were alluding to,” I say and then decide to bite the bullet and ask for the details. “So, what’s going on there?”

“Ugh. I’m sorry. I should have filled you in from the start, but I thought it was easier to keep it from everyone. I should have trusted you. Now, I’m fine with the world knowing. It’s Jesse that wants to keep up the charade.”

“You mentioned that. Why?”

“He has a good reason. It wouldn’t look good for him if the media caught wind of all this. Plus his contract ends this season and he wants to re-sign with the team. So, we’re breaking up when we get home.” Her lips pull into a mischievous smile, and I can only imagine the grand “breakup” she’s planning. I almost laugh until her words register.

God, what a fucking mess.She’s right. It wouldn’t look good for Jesse if this got out. And it would look even worse if the media found out that he was with his fake girlfriend’s sister at the same time.Is that my answer? Is that why he’s pushing me away?

“Okay,” I say, pulling myself from my thoughts. “I get why you’re doing itnow. But how the hell did this grand plan come about in the first place?”

Pippa grimaces as I jump up beside her. “How long have you got?”

Patting her leg, I reach for the box of chocolates I have for emergency cravings and hand it over. “Unless I get another customer, you’ve got me for as long as you need.”

And it’ll take my mind off the other thing.

When she’s finished filling me in on the details, I stare at her in shock before laughing hysterically. I’m not sure if I’m laughing because of the hole she’s dug herself or because of the shit I’ve been through because of her plan.

“So Ryan’s out of hiding and now he wants more?” I ask when she gets to his part of her story. I remember her telling me about Ryan months ago, but she told me he ended things.

“I honestly didn’t even think about him when I set this up. He’s barely looked at me for months.”

“But now he’s back?”

“Apparently.”

“Could be seen as a silver lining for coming home.”

“Uh-uh,” she says as she bumps her shoulder back into mine. “This is the silver lining, getting to spend time with you.”

“That has been a bonus,” I say truthfully. I’ve loved having her here; it’s her fake boyfriend I’m struggling with. “So, are you planning to tell Jesse that I know? Can we finally have a lie-free existence?”

“Oh, God, no,” Pippa says, barking out a laugh. “At least, not until we’re on the way home or maybe even midbreakup.”

I want to laugh along with her, but the thought of Jesse once again upsets me.

He’s leaving. He wasalwaysleaving. And maybe that’s a good thing.Talk about indecisiveness. Do I want him here or not?

“Plus,” Pippa continues, “he’s really desperate to keep it a secret, and considering it was his favor to me in the first place—”

“You’re doing it for him.”

“Exactly.”

Exactly.God. Why is this all so hard? And what is Jesse thinking?

Pippa hangs around for the next hour until I’m ready to close up the shop, and it’s not until we’re walking home that she brings up Alex. I’m surprised she waited this long. I thought she would have mentioned him earlier.

“I’m sorry I didn’t really stick up for you last night. But Jesse rarely cares enough to hold grudges unless they’re earned,” she says, entwining our fingers. “Or the person works in the media,” she adds with a laugh.

So, what did I do to earn one?

“It’s okay, Pip. I get it. You know Jesse and you don’t know Alex.”

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