The Setback by B. E. Baker

Author:B. E. Baker [Baker, B. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Purple Puppy Publishing

16

Helen

Every time I talked to Abby while she was in school, she had a new boyfriend. Or at least, that’s how it felt. I often wondered how much more impressive she’d be, how much more progress she’d make, if she wasn’t so distracted by all the social and relationship drama. But now that I finally have a boyfriend of my own, or at least, now that people think I do, I almost get the attraction.

I shouldn’t be scrolling through comments or checking all the text messages that are pouring in, but I can’t seem to help it. People I haven’t heard from for years are calling and messaging me.

Reporters, too.

Do people really care more about you when they think someone else does? Are humans really all such lemmings?

“I can’t believe I had to find out from Twitter,” Abby says. I hate that she, more than anyone, is as delighted as she is.

“Oh, please,” I say. “I told you already. It’s not real.”

“Then why are you changing clothes?” She arches that stupid eyebrow into that expression of hers that scares everyone but me. “He’s just sitting outside waiting on you, and you’re in here worrying about what shirt to wear.” She shakes her head. “That’s not something I ever thought I’d be saying to my self-possessed sister.”

I’m not about to tell her that mostly I just came back to change my undies. He may have shot me down the last time I asked him to a hotel, but I’m not about to go on a date, fake or otherwise, in the grandma panties I’m wearing. You never know what might happen in my life right now, clearly. It would be just like David Park to change his tune when I wasn’t prepared.

“I need to take a few more photos,” I explain. “So get out, and let me put the dumb blouse on.”

“Get out?” She rolls her eyes. “As if I’ve never seen your boobs.”

“Abby, I’ve got to pee, too. Or did you want to watch that for some reason?”

She huffs, but she finally leaves.

Once I’ve finally changed, I start to think about where I’m going. David Park’s waiting outside in his car, and we’re going on a date. Not really, of course. It’s just to stick it to his family and also to stupid Kyle.

But even so.

It’s a date.

I’ve been to events with people before. I’ve taken business partners and rivals both, depending on my goals. But I’ve never really been romantically entangled with anyone, and it feels. . .well, it’s making my heart race like I’m a high school senior or something equally stupid. Not that I was this idiotic then.

What is wrong with me?

I force my heart to stop racing, so that I can go out there and pose for a few stupid photos. Then I can answer any questions he has about his business plan, and we’ll be down to just two more meetings. Easy peasy.

When I walk outside, I’m prepared to exchange a few more quips with Abby and head for David’s car.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.