Love and Pretence (A New City Story) by Stefanie Simpson

Author:Stefanie Simpson [Simpson, Stefanie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

Gossip

I was dreading class. Darby was nursing a cup of tea as we arrived, and we were having a Q&A on immersive consent and risk responsibility.

There were more people than usual, and Hannah and her partner, Lance, joined us. We sat together, and other regulars joined our group.

“How’s it going with the situation?” She handed out jelly babies, and I made sure they were veggie friendly before taking a couple.

“Dunno. We went camping.”

“And?”

“It was amazing, and we agreed to date for real.” I chewed, staring straight ahead.

“And?”

“Monday when he came for dinner, he dumped me. And now we have to pretend we’re dating for two whole fucking weeks. I plan to dump his pert, sexy arse in front of everyone.”

The more I thought about it, the angrier I was. In his presence, it was different, but without him, I felt like I’d been played.

“Shit.”

“He even said he’d be up for submitting to me. I think he was just twirling me to see what I’d be like. Whatever.”

The others were quiet, and the talk began. I had a notebook and pen but didn’t write anything. I usually asked loads of questions, but I just listened instead. I was starting to wonder what the point of it was if I’d never get to use any of this knowledge.

I slipped away, sad and dispirited more than angry. I skipped dance, I couldn’t be bothered with it or anything much.

On Saturday I was helping a customer with trying on a wedding dress — it was one of my specialities — when the bell went. I peeked out from the fitting room.

Spencer stood there. He still had his harness belt around his waist and gloves in his pocket.

“I’m with a customer. You can wait in the back.”

The bride-to-be’s mum and two friends watched him pass by. He didn’t speak, but the thunderbrow said it all.

When I’d done the buttons up, she came out and looked in the huge mirror. They oohed and ahhed as she turned this way and that. The dress only needed hemming if she bought it.

“I don’t know, can I think about it?”

“Sure.” I helped her out of it.

When they’d gone, I opened the door and waved him in.

“What’s up?”

He held out an iced coffee. I set it on the counter and tidied the wedding dress rail, artfully arranging the accessories on the shelf above it.

“I was going to call you.”

“No need, it’s okay.”

“It’s not.”

I stopped, opening and closing my fists. “Listen, the weekend was an anomaly, we can scratch it from the record, whatever works for you. I get it. It’s fine.”

He folded his arms. “Mum wondered if you’d come over for dinner tonight. Lacy and Scott are up.”

“Of course. I can play nice.”

“Great.” He stepped forward, his expression softening. “Are we still, I don’t know, friends at least?”

“Spencer, we were never friends. You wanted to reassess this, and I’m letting you do it. It’s okay.”

“Six okay?” he asked quietly, not quite meeting my eye.

“See you then.”

He left, and I was miserable.

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