Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 124971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Poppins looked ready to barf again. “Quite.”
I draped my arm over Duffy’s seat, grinning winningly. “We’re very much together. I mean, how could I resist the temptation? Duffy did dump her long-term boyfriend for me.”
If I was going to lie through my teeth, I was going to have a good time doing it.
Duffy slammed her heeled foot over mine under the table, unimpressed and unafraid to break my bones.
“Why’d you break up with BJ?” Clone Man Two asked.
“Was it because he was a mouth breather?” Clone Woman Two inquired.
“Was it because he wore a trilby in the winter?” Clone Woman One shuddered.
“He didn’t breathe from his mouth, and I thought the trilby was sort of adorable.” Duffy kept her composure as she answered their questions. “As for your main question, I suppose we grew apart. I do wish him all the best. He is in Nepal now.”
“Nepal? I love Italian food,” Clone Woman One exclaimed.
“That’s Napoli,” I drawled into my drink.
No wonder Duffy didn’t collect any friends at WNT. These people had the combined IQ of a trash can.
“Wow. You’re so smart,” Clone Woman One purred, batting her lashes at me. “Guess it’s true what they say. All the good ones are taken, huh?”
After this inspiring conversation, Duffy insisted we all take pictures together. The scene seemed as organic as synthetic grass, with my fake fiancée insisting we all squeeze into a few photos and smile. Luckily, these people loved taking photos of themselves.
“Hey, weren’t you in Gretchen’s office the other day?” Clone Man Two snapped his fingers, pointing at me. “Shit, it’s you! I’d recognize those forearms anywhere.”
And just like that, in a crapalicious turn of events, our cover was blown.
Instinctively, Duffy slipped her hand under the table and squeezed my fingers. Her palm was small, hot, and sweaty.
I felt a smidge of solidarity toward her. Enough to throw Gretchen under the bus. I mean, the woman did ask me to sacrifice my life and freedom and marry a complete stranger for her career’s sake. That classified as her throwing me under a tank.
“Yeah.” I slipped an oyster into my mouth. “Came to give her a piece of my mind. Nobody treats my lady this way.”
“You did?” Clone Woman Two fanned herself dreamily.
“Duffy had been hurt and upset over Gretchen’s behavior, and I wasn’t gonna sit there and watch her take it.” I used my arm on Duffy’s armrest to stroke her hair. Amazingly, she didn’t light my limbs on fire.
“Ohmigod, she was such a nightmare to our Duffy. It was terrible to watch.” Clone Woman Two pouted. Then, without being prompted, she added, “You know word around town is that she’s cheating on her husband?”
Duffy jerked in her seat with a gasp. I had to physically pull her down by the shoulder before she hit the ceiling.
“What? Who told you that?” she asked in a high-pitched voice.
“Heard it in a barre class.”
“Doubt anyone would put up with that woman unless he’s legally obligated to,” I chipped in.
“So true.” Clone Woman One nodded.
“Ugh, Duffy, you have the best taste in men.” Clone Woman Two sighed.
“Okay then.” Clone Man One glanced at his watch. “Guess it’s time to wrap it up. I have a six a.m. spin class tomorrow.”
“With Julio?” Clone Woman Two cooed.
“Yes!” He clapped. “He is doing a new Madonna special.”
And this, ladies and gentlemen, was why I didn’t stick around in New York City more than absolutely necessary. The amount of brain cells I lost just by sitting here listening to privileged middle-class, overpaid pretenders was too damn high.
“Duffy, it was so good to see you.” They all stood up, collecting their jackets and purses. “Thanks so much for dinner. And it goes without saying—if you ever need anything, a recommendation letter, a reference, a good word, all you have to do is ask.”
Poppins and I were left there with these words of encouragement. And the check.
Clone Woman Two also slid her number into my hand. According to my nonbinding arrangement with Duffy, I could call her. But somewhere in the back of my head, I’d already decided not to mess with anyone affiliated with my fake fiancée. She only had, what, three, four people in her life? It wasn’t much of a sacrifice, and she didn’t deserve to have another crappy partner. Even if it was fake between us.
Plus, somewhere in the back, back, back of my head, all the way in the storage room, I still thought there was a minor chance of us bumping uglies at some point, and messing around with an ex-colleague of hers would kill that chance with a blazing fire.
“These are the people who give us the news?” I shot her a sidelong glance. “I wouldn’t touch them with a bag of Fritos.”
She closed her eyes and groaned. “I can’t believe they left me with the check.”