My head whipped up and I realized I’d zoned out again. Tori and Brooklyn were both staring at me expectantly, obviously awaiting a response to some question.
“Sorry, what?” I said.
Brooklyn smiled. “You’ve really got your head in the clouds today, don’t you? This is the first time I’ve ever seen you not snap to attention the second something about food comes up.”
Tori leaned over and pointed at the menu in front of me that I’ve been ignoring. “We were trying to figure out if we should blow our seafood limit for the week getting every kind of sushi they have or just gorge ourselves on burgers and French onion soup.”
“That’s a tough call, because there is no wrong choice here,” I said seriously. “But I’m leaning burger myself. Maybe with avocado and a side of heirloom carrots.”
“Mmmm,” they moaned in unison.
Once our order was in, I tried my hardest to pay attention to the conversation despite my obsession over the Ford thing. His timing could not have been worse, honestly.
Something about both of my brothers being married (with babies on the way, no less) had made me think it was finally time to get over my crush on Ford. So I’d recently decided to get out there and try dating for real. Meaning I’d force myself to go out with other mature, well-adjusted adults who had similar views and life goals and interests—instead of letting myself fall for every hot, immature, self-absorbed artist within a ten-hour flight time radius who piqued my interest, and then a few months later asking myself (yet again) how it had managed to blow up in my face so badly. Because, yes, that was my usual pattern.
It was time to change it up.
And I’d really been ready. I’d really wanted to try. I’d signed up for a few dating apps to psych myself up, and I’d even been accepted to Reva. My thought was that the exclusive matchmaking service would mean my dates were pre-vetted, so it’d be easier to find someone who not only lived up to my brothers’ insanely high standards, but who’d also be as passionate about and successful in his trade as I was. It had seemed like the perfect plan to move on from my best friend.
But how was I supposed to do that now if I was pretending to date him?
God, and how could I still be obsessing over this petty stuff when the Bratva’s threats were still hanging over my family’s heads? Not that Tori and Brooklyn knew anything about it. Everything was just a mess.
“You know I love you,” Brooklyn said, “but I refuse to sit here while you stew in silence, Em. So whatever it is, you’re either going to have to spit it out now or worry about it later.”
My fake smile was instantaneous. “I’m fine. It’s just…work stuff.”
Tori narrowed her eyes. “What kind of work stuff? Is something happening with the agency? Stefan’s seemed kind of avoidant lately. I thought I was just being paranoid, but…”
There’s no way I could let her or Brooklyn get suspicious about the Bratva stuff, and the last thing they needed right now was to find out how much trouble we were in. Quickly, I changed the subject—by blurting out the truth. “Just having some dating drama.”
“What?!” Tori blurted excitedly. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone!”
Brooklyn scooted closer. “Are you having boy troubles?” She tilted her head, frowning a little. “Or girl troubles? No judgement here.”
“I’m not exactly seeing anyone per se, but…” At the thought of Ford’s proposition, I could feel my cheeks heat, but I was in too deep now. I’d just have to spill my guts.
“But…” prodded Tori.
Searching their faces, I said, “Okay, you have to swear that this is all Vault, okay? Like, do not repeat this to anyone including your inner circle. It’s kind of humiliating.”
“Of course,” Brooklyn agreed, nodding.
“We swear ourselves to utmost secrecy and discretion,” Tori put in. “Cross our hearts.”
“Okay.” I took a deep breath and scooted closer. “So here’s the thing. Last night, one of my best guy friends asked me if I’d agree to fake-date him for a month or two. To get his mom off his back about his ex, because she’s been tormenting him. I don’t really know the terms except that we can’t see other people, but I’m torn. I’m still mulling it over.”
There. I’d said it. Maybe it’d do me some good to have a few other opinions about it. Besides, they weren’t wrong; I was obviously brimming with angst over the situation.
“Should I help him out?” I asked. “It seems risky.”
“Risky how?” Brooklyn said. “You don’t have feelings for him, do you?”
“No, of course not,” I said, quickly stuffing my face with a bite of cheeseburger to avoid blurting anything incriminating.
Tori swiped a few of my fries, having already devoured hers. “Isn’t that all the more reason to help him out, then? It’s just temporary. Are you attracted to him?”
Setting my food back down, I shrugged. “I mean, anyone who sees him is attracted to him. But he’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since high school, and I’m fond of him. Just not like that.”
