I type out the text before I chicken out.
Caleb
What if you were my date?
It takes long enough for Malia to answer that I consider unsending the message and pretending like it never happened.
Malia
When’s the wedding again?
My shoulders fall in relief. I’m going to tell myself that she took so long because she got another message that took priority. Or a call. Maybe her parents letting her know that a steady, reliable teaching job just opened up back in Idaho, where she’s from, and she should take it.
Caleb
Valentine’s Day. Carlie thinks it’s romantic.
It would be the night before too. Rehearsal dinner.
Then it takes another few minutes before Malia responds again. I can’t help it. I have to offer her the out.
Caleb
There’s no pressure. We can pretend like I never asked. I know we’ve never met in person, but you seemed like a good option since we get along well and I know you can handle the pressure of my mom questioning your intentions with me. But if you’re uncomfortable, say no more.
Malia
I’ll go.
CHAPTER 2
MALIA
I think someone else’s fingers typed that text, telling Caleb I’d go with him to his sister’s wedding.
What have I done? Was it stupid?
I know exactly who can tell me that: my sister, Skye. She loves telling me how to live my life better.
“What’s up?” she asks when she answers.
“I maybe did something stupid. Or possibly something amazing. Hard to say right now.”
“Don’t you keep telling me you’re head of some company?” she asks sarcastically. “Shouldn’t you know the difference?”
“Caleb asked me to be his date to his sister’s wedding?—”
“Dates are probably good. Especially ones with real people, sis.”
It might not sound like it, but we do love each other. This is our dynamic. Although, yes, I do wish she wouldn’t tease me so much about my work. But I’ve learned to accept it. I’m almost thirty. I can’t force Skye to change.
“Well, that’s the kicker.” I slump down in my gaming chair. It’s worth a small fortune, something Skye would probably throw up over if she knew. She’s always worried about how muchmoney I spend. “I’m kind of hisfakedate. So that his mom doesn’t try to set him up with a bunch of women.”
“Wait … Caleb?” she repeats. “Isn’t this the guy you’ve had a crush on for months?”
I nod, even though Skye can’t see me. “Yeah. The guy from my gamer group.”
She lets out a short, dry laugh. “Right. The one you’ve never met.”
