Malia
Oh we’re totally doing the fake girlfriend thing.
Going all out.
I laugh to myself. Pretending to be someone else is nothing new for me. I do it all the time when I’m gaming. My persona onShadow Heroesis a former CIA agent who’s now a white-hat mercenary. I’ve been dozens of other characters in my life when I game, and being this character …
Caleb’s girlfriend.
That sounds really fun.
My cheeks heat as I think about standing close to him. Him slipping an arm around my waist and kissing my temple. Dancing close. I shiver at the daydream.
Caleb
We should meet. IRL.
You know, so the first time we see each other isn’t at the dinner.
The gig might be up immediately.
I imagine telling him I’ll be the girl with the copy ofPride & Prejudice.I snicker to myself. He wouldn’t get it. I don’t think Caleb has ever seen a Meg Ryan movie in his life.
Malia
We definitely should.
I swipe to pull up my calendar, checking my schedule. Work is always normal. I’m vigilant about my nine-to-five and having a proper work-life balance. (Maybe that’s why Skye thinks I don’t make enough, because I rarely work overtime …) We haveShadow Heroestime scheduled in the next couple days. Friday is the best night, two days from now. But will that sound too much like a date?
Malia
Dessert. Friday night? 8 pm?
Caleb
Yes, absolutely.
And by the way. Thank you for this. Really. This is a huge favor, and I will owe you big time.
I grin down at my phone.
Malia
I know exactly who to call when I need my next hacking job done.
I’ve put a few things together about his “extracurricular” activities based on things Caleb has said and looking up a few things on the Grayson Hollis–Libby Bennet case from last year.
Caleb
Ha. You don’t need me.
I kind of wish Iwasmeeting Caleb for the first time at the rehearsal dinner. Then I would be wearing a stunning evening dress. I still take care with my appearance when I get ready for our date Friday night.
It’s not really a date, but I’m calling it that in my head. Getting into character, of course.
I wear a loose cream-colored dress that hits my mid-thighs and an oversized mauve blazer just to give this a professional tone. I don’t know why. Because I’m more confident when I’m Girl Boss Malia? Probably. I add white sneakers with details in the same color as my blazer to balance it all out. I leave my dark brown hair down and curled and wear my makeup low-key but still accenting my hazel eyes, bringing out the green in them.
My phone pings with a text.
