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Three dots appeared, disappeared, reappeared, and disappeared again before her screen lit up with an incoming call. Ali tried to contain the sudden swirl of nerves swimming in her stomach as she accepted the call, continuing down the sidewalk.

“Hi, babe!”

An amused hum resonated through the line.

“Hello, my dear.”

The term of endearment was wrapped in velvet and sent a shiver down Ali’s spine.

“You’re just hitting the ground running with this, aren’t you?” Charlotte asked.

“I am.”

Ali shrugged as she stepped over a small puddle in her path.

“I’ve never had a fake girlfriend before. I have decided to have fun with this. I promise to behave appropriately in the presence of others.”

“I had no doubts, but I’m glad you will be enjoying yourself. I hoped it wouldn’t be too awkward. So, dinner tomorrow?”

“Yep! I’ll pick you up around six-thirty,” Ali confirmed, hand reaching up to toy with her necklace.

There was a short, heavy pause.

“Around?” Another pause. “Does that mean six-fifteen, six-forty-five, or some other time?”

Ali’s expression dimmed as her steps slowed. There was a disconnect somewhere…

“Around six-thirty…” she offered again.

“But what does that mean?” Charlotte groused.

Steps sped up as she connected the dots. Charlotte lived by a schedule as though it were law, featuring exact times to be everywhere. In the past six months only once was she close to being “late” to get her coffee. Ali never saw anyone look so stressed.

“I’ll pick you up at 6:30, honey bunny,” Ali promised, twirling the end of her ponytail around her index finger, watching as her feet continued down the street.

“Thank you,” Charlotte sighed, as if Ali lifted a weight off her shoulders. “Dress code?”

“Wear whatever makes you comfortable. But I think casual would be acceptable for this place. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall situation.”

“Hmmm, and we’re certain there are no health code violations?”

“It has very good reviews, and I have found sometimes it’s where you find the best food.”

She slowed, looking up at the little shops dotted along the street. Every street in Boston seemed packed with history and charm. For the first few months, she spent a fair amount of time exploring, searching for the hidden gems throughout the city.

“Wait—have you never been to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant?”

“A few. But not recently.” A playful note entered her tone, “Other than this one coffee shop I’ve come to enjoy… The coffee is good, and the staff is just lovely.”

“Well, this might be an adventure for you then,” Ali teased, ignoring the compliment and the heat creeping across her cheeks.

“As long as I’m with you, I don’t think I’ll mind.”

Ali’s silent intake of breath filled her lungs, a hand resting over the little ripple in her stomach. It was nice. To feel wanted, even if it wasn’t real.

“I see I’m not the only one taking to this faux relationship like a duck to water.”

“You make it easy.”