“I understand what you’re saying, and you don’t have to say anything to them. You’re an adult, and don’t need to explain your decisions to anyone. I know they’re your friends and they care about you.”
“I know, I know. So you really want to do this? Pretend to be my date to the wedding? Which is in a few months, by the way. And my dress is red, so what you’re wearing now is perfect.” I couldn’t hide my smile.
“I really do. I think it could be a lot of fun, and who knows, you might learn to tolerate me along the way.”
“Yeah, we’ll see. I have a few events to attend, so that means, as my date, you’ll be expected to tag along. I can always make up an excuse when the time comes, though.”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’m all in on this, Cara. You're stuck with me for the next few months.”
“I guess I am.” What in the hell had I gotten myself into?
“There’s probably something I should mention about Drea’s maid of honor and one of her bridesmaids.”
“Oh, sounds like chismé. Let me hear it!”
I laughed. “I’m only telling you this because we’re going to be spending a lot of time with them, and if it comes up, my actual girlfriend wouldn’t be caught off guard.”
“Okay, now I’m nervous, but you have my full attention.”
I took a breath, steading myself. “So, Fallon is Drea’s best friend and Mackenzie is her wife. Long story short, I sort of dated them both, and it did not end well. I didn’t date them at the same time, and at the time, they were ‘keeping things casual’ so no one was being cheated on or anything. I was out with Fallon on our first, and last date, and Mackenzie happened to be there. It got a little messy, literally, but it’s all forgotten about and they’re happy and I’m happy and we’ve all moved on.”
She looked at me for a minute, her expression serious. “Did she hurt you? Start from the beginning. What did she do to you?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, she didn't hurt me.” I went on to tell her the whole messy story. From when I first met Fallon, to the kiss at her party, which Vera did not like, to the spilling wine and learning how to make Fallon come fiasco.
“¿Cómo se atreve a hablarte así? Who does she think she is? Te juro que si alguna vez la veo?—”
“Vera, I don’t know what you’re saying, but please relax. Like I said, we were all young and dumb. They have both apologized countless times about it, and we are all good friends. I only told you because we joke about it sometimes, and I didn’t want you to be surprised and raise questions.”
“Fine. Thank you for telling me, princesa.” She smiled, and I really hoped that was the end of that conversation.
The rest of the night flowed seamlessly. We talked a little more about the wedding and where it was. She didn’t seem to have a problem with flying to Bali, especially when I told her Drea was paying for the hotel accommodations.
We talked about other things in our lives until the check came and she refused to let me pay. “Vera, I picked the restaurant, let me pay.”
“Are you out of your mind? You only had a little salad, I had a big steak. I’m paying. You can get the next one,” she said with a wink.
“Oh, you think there’s going to be a next time?”
“If I play my cards right, I hope.”
I didn't respond, I just smiled and let her pay. She was persistent, I’d give her that. There was most definitelynotgoing to be a next time. She’d be my date for this wedding, we’d attend a couple of events, and go our separate ways. That was it.
I stood up and she placed her hand on the small of my back, guiding me out of the restaurant. She held the door open for me and I couldn’t help but feel warmth at the gesture. Maybe this fake dating thing would work out in my favor.
We started walking toward our cars and stopped at mine. “Where did you park?” I asked.
She pointed to a few cars down from mine. “That black truck’s mine.”
“Of course it is.” I smiled rolling my eyes. “Well, thank you for dinner. I actually enjoyed myself.”
“You’re very welcome, princesa, and I won’t be offended that you didn’t expect to.”
“Vera,” I started but she shook her head.
“Don’t say anything. Like I said, I’m used to it.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.
“I’m sorry. This is all new to me, and I’m acting like an asshole. Please know I don’t regret our night, at all. But that’s all it was, one night. I’m sorry.”
