“I heard about you and Canyon.”
Of course you did. Everyone did. Literally everyone. They probably sent a message up to the space station and translated it for the penguins in Antarctica.
Jacko comes to a stop next to me. He tickles Dash’s belly. “Good choice. Canyon is a stand-up guy. You two will be happy together. And don’t you worry about all the men who are feeling disappointed today. You and Canyon deserve some happiness in your lives. They’ll get over it and be happy for you two. See you later.” Jacko starts running down the street again.
What have I done?
“Dash, what have I done?”
He thumps his head into my chest.
“Exactly.” I keep walking to work, seemingly stopping every two feet for someone to congratulate me.
The nightmare keeps growing and growing.
Leaning against a lamppost by the bakery is the man whose life I probably just ruined with my wild idea.
Daria was right. This plan wasn’t well thought out. “Are you getting it too?”
He nods. “Oh yeah. On a positive note, I’m not going to have to buy myself a beer for the next six months. But I’m pretty sure one or more of my best friends are going to beat me up when we break up.”
OH.
Oh no. This is all your fault. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think this through. When we break up, we can do it amicably or make it all my fault.”
“Like anyone would believe that. You’re too sweet.”
But I’m not.
“Was this fake dating thing important to you?”
The revulsion on Max’s face flashes in front of my eyes. “Yeah.”
“Then it was totally worth it.”
“You’re a good man.”
Canyon grins down at me. “And who is this little guy?”
The baby kicks my abdomen as if to remind me to introduce him. “This is Dash.”
“He getting a new home soon?”
My heart clenches painfully. “Yeah.”
“Good.” Canyon glances to the side. “And the show begins again.”
What?
Hope and Max are walking towards us.
That’s what you get for coming to work late because everyone needed to congratulate me. “Hey, Hope.” I give her a wave.
She frowns at us.
That’s odd. Hope always seemed to be in love with the idea of love. “Hey, Max.”
Max’s smile is halfhearted at best. Did he choose not to forgive me?
