My phone continues to vibrate in my purse and I groan before pulling it out and silencing my ringer.
“Someone’s trying to get a hold of you, huh?”
“It’s Jeremy. I swear he never called this much when we were together. The man is having a temper tantrum because he thinks I’m dating you.”
“Well, maybe it’s time we step up our game, baby.” He winks as our driver pulls up to the hotel.
My stomach flutters a little bit and I internally scold myself for reacting this way. Caden’s my friend. Nothing more.
“You just might be right.”
We make our way inside and my mother is standing there, eyeing me from head to toe. She scrunches her nose just enough to let me know she disapproves of my choice of dress today.
Buckle up, Maman.
You’re about to disapprove of a lot of choices I’m going to make.
And I’m totally okay with it.
“Thanks for meeting us, Cosette. We’ve heard so much about you that whether you’re fake dating Caden or not, we were dying to hang out with you,” Mya says, as I pull up a barstool at the high-top table where they’re seated.
Caden dropped me at my parents’ house after work so I could change, and I had my parents’ driver bring me over to Mean Mug because I knew I’d want to have a couple glasses of wine.
“I’m thrilled to be here. Thanks for inviting me.” I mean it. I’ve been looking forward to this all day. I felt an instant comfort with Mya and Emma last night. They’re both gorgeous, genuine, and from what I can tell, always laughing. And I don’t have many girlfriends here in New York. I went to boarding school in Maine during high school, and I attended college in France. So, I am in need of some real girlfriends. I have a feeling these two would be keepers.
“Well, we’re thrilled to add a cool chick to our little duet. I mean, your fashion alone has my attention.” Emma pauses when the server walks up and we all order a glass of Chardonnay.
I chuckle when he walks away. “Thank you. My mother thinks my fashion choices are lacking.”
“Girl, trust me when I tell you, you are killing the fashion game.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mya says.
I can’t help but smile. I like them.
“So, what’s the deal with this ex-boyfriend of yours? He just won’t leave you alone?” Emma asks, and my phone vibrates in my purse for the millionth time today.
I pull it out expecting it to be Jeremy once again, but instead, it’s Caden.
Be safe tonight, sexy. Call me if you want to stay here, or if you need a ride.
“Sorry. I thought it was Jeremy. But it’s Caden being sweet,” I say, before I type out a quick response and turn off my ringer.
Careful, boyfriend. A girl could get used to this.
I giggle and they both lean over to look at what I’m typing.
I’m counting on it. Call me when you’re done and I’ll give you a ride home.
“This is the best fake relationship I’ve ever seen,” Mya says with a laugh.
So bossy.
Only when it comes to my girl getting home safe. <winky face emoji>
I put my phone down and face them, and they are both watching me as if they want all the details.
“Spill it, girl,” Emma says as she takes a sip of her wine.
I fill them in on my history with Jeremy. My mother’s obsession with our families joining. The way my father has been so distant since Jeremy and I broke up. And we spend the next hour and a half laughing and talking.
And drinking all the wine. Two and a half glasses, I think.
Maybe three?
And a shot of tequila because Emma insists we all do shots as we toast to Jeremy biting the dust.
And then there’s that martini with extra olives as they fill me in on the whole story behind Gus’ fear of olives.
And Mya’s mother’s horrible cooking.
And then there is another shot of tequila as we toast to Emma’s grandmother’s nipples, which were originally the butcher’s wife’s nipples.
My head is spinning and I can’t remember a time that I’ve had more fun.
My mother and my sister think laughter is very American. They don’t believe that a sense of humor is a redeeming quality.
“I’m so glad you kicked that guy to the curb. You don’t need that in your life. You’re too good for that. But I’m sorry your family isn’t being supportive,” Mya says, and I think her words are slurring a bit.
“I say good riddance to Jeremy, the boring, cheating bastard. He wants what he can’t have and doesn’t appreciate it when he does have it.”
I’m laughing so hard that tears are streaming down my face. They are more upset about Jeremy than I am.
“It’s been eye-opening because I don’t feel anything but relief to be done with him. And it’s been a few months. But now that he thinks I’m with Caden, he’s being relentless.”
“So, you and Caden are just acting, huh?” Mya asks, and her cheeks are rosy from all the cocktails.
“Yeah, he’s been so great about all of this.”
“You don’t find him attractive?” Emma purrs.
My head tips back in laughter. “Of course I do. I mean, I’m only human. Oh my word, I saw him with his shirt off this morning, and let’s just say… the man is too much. But he’s just helping me out.”
“I say we drink to him helping you out with anything and everything,” Emma whisper-shouts and then raises her hand in the air for the server to bring more drinks.
“Easy there, she-devil,” a deep voice says from behind me. I turn around to see Spence standing there smirking at Emma, and Jesse and Caden walk through the door.
A woman stops Caden and his gaze locks with mine as he talks to her. My vision is a little blurry from one too many cocktails, but he looks agitated, the way he rubs the back of his neck and shifts on his feet to move away from her. I quickly turn away. I don’t need to ruin his game. It’s a good reminder that we’re just playing a part right now. Caden isn’t mine. He’s just pretending to be.
We’re friends.
Good friends.
“I think you’ve had enough, baby,” Spence says to Emma and he nuzzles her neck.
Swoon.
“Awww, don’t ruin all the fun, Old Solemn. We’re just cursing the ground that Cosette’s ex-hypocritical boyfriend walks on.”
“Ooohhh … I feel a little woozy,” Mya says as Jesse helps her to her feet.
“Damn lightweight. This one has a sensitive stomach.” Emma thrusts her thumb in Mya’s direction.
“I can hear you. I may be tipsy, but I’m not stupid.” Mya stumbles a bit on her feet and we all three burst out laughing.
Before I can get to my feet, Caden is there. He wraps his arm around my waist and helps steady me.
“Hey, lover boy. I hope I’m not ruining your chance with that lady over there,” I say, and my words feel far away, like they’re dragging underwater. But the thought that I could be in Caden’s way sends some sort of weird feeling through my body.
Anger?
Jealousy?
No. I must just be too intoxicated to think straight. But I’m glad that Caden’s by my side at the moment.