We discuss the terms—monthly rent, security deposit,utility arrangements. The price is more than fair, especially for a place this nice in a prime location.
“One more thing,” Ryder says as I’m signing the lease. “The walls are pretty thick, but sound can still carry. Just something to keep in mind.”
I nod. “Not a problem. I’m pretty quiet.”
“Cool,” he says, handing me a set of keys. “But it’s your neighbor I’m a little worried about. They like to play their music loud sometimes. Let me know if it gets to be too much and I’ll take care of it.”
He exchanges a weird look with Logan. “Well, I’ll leave you guys to it.” Just as he reaches the front door, he stops and looks back. “A bunch of us are meeting at The Brew tonight. You guys are welcome to join us.”
Logan grins. “Sounds great. See you later, Rye.”
Ryder nods and heads out, closing the door behind him.
I move back over to the window, taking in the view. “This is great,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at my best friend. “Thanks for setting this up.”
“No problem.” He drops onto the leather couch, stretching his arms across the back. “So... how’s the ‘image cleanup’ coming along? Find anyone yet?”
I groan, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s not. Hank’s been blowing up my phone daily asking if I’ve found someone.”
“I take it you haven’t?”
“Nope.” I start pacing the hardwood floor. “Studio execs are serious about this. They want me to be seen around town with someone. A local girl, preferably.”
Logan snorts. “Good luck with that.”
“Actually...” I hesitate, then decide to just rip off the Band-Aid. “I was thinking maybe I could ask Lizzy.”
A deafening silence follows before Logan bursts into laughter, nearly falling off the couch.
“You... Are youserious?” he gasps between fits of laughter, wiping tears from his eyes.
“What the hell is so funny about that?” I demand, my neck flushing in mortification.
“Oh, I don’t know,” he wheezes. “Maybe the fact that my sister can barely stand to be in the same room as you? Or that she literally ran away the last time she saw you?”
“It wouldn’t be real,” I argue, sinking onto a barstool. “Just for show. A few public appearances, some pictures for social media. That’s it.”
“Dude.” Finally composed, Logan straightens. “No offense, but you’ve got a better chance of winning an Oscar for a movie you haven’t even made yet than getting Lizzy to agree to fake-date you.”
“Come on, it’s notthatfar-fetched.”
“Trust me, it is.” He shakes his head, still grinning. “Besides, there’s something you should know.”
“What?”
“Lizzy lives next door. In the loft across the hall.”
I freeze. “What do you mean, next door?”
“Imean,” Logan says slowly, “that my sister’s apartment door is literally the one we walked by to get here.”
My stomach drops. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“Nope,” he quips, looking way too amused for my liking. “Ryder renovated the top floor into two lofts. Lizzy’s been living there for almost three years.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this before I signed the lease?” I stand up, pacing again. “Fuck’s sake, Logan.”
“Look. I told you I want you two to make up. Actually, Ineedyou to patch things up. You were thick as thieves when we were kids.”
