“She’s got an early meeting downtown,” he explained. I swung my legs off the bed and stretched. “How was your ride home with Ren?”
My brilliant best friend didn’t know how to be subtle. Even though he was a bit socially awkward, we had known each other long enough that he hadn’t missed the way I made a fool of myself on that video call. He’d mentioned it a time or two, but I always blew it off. Until now.
“Well…about that.”
He started to laugh as the hiss of coffee being made filled the background. “Let’s have it.”
“I like her, alright? Ireallylike her. But I made a fool of myself, and now I don’t know how to fix this.”
“Mike, you just met her,” he warned.
Scoffing, I asked, “Are you really going to lecture me on love at first sight. I mean not love, just like. Like at first sight.”
Who was I kidding? I was smitten.
He knew he had no room to talk since that’s exactly what happened to him with Leyla back in college. The three of us went to the same one in San Diego, and I got to witness firsthand how quickly she became everything to him.
“You’re right. Okay, but it can’t be that bad. What happened? How’d you embarrass yourself?”
I eyed my surfboard in the laundry room, wishing I had time to go out and clear my head. I stood up and started getting ready for work, putting the call on speaker. I ended up quickly recounting what happened at Grammy’s, followed by the mess I’d made, dragging poor Ren into this ridiculous scheme.
He was howling with laughter by the end of it. “I’m glad my pain is entertainment for you, dude.”
Niko finally caught his breath and said, “Leyla is going to love this. So what are you going to do? Did you talk to her this morning?”
I didn’t even bother telling him not to mention it to his wife. I told Ren to let me tell the group, so I planned to send it in our group chat when I got off with him. But right now, I needed his help before everyone else found out.
“I have no idea what I’m going to do. I was half expecting her to text this morning and back out, but nothing so far. Niko, meeting her in person, getting to talk to her, even for just half an hour or so. Wow, I’m still reeling.” I pushed a bit of pomade through my hair, tussling it as best I could. It tended to have a life of its own.
I could almost picture Niko nodding, his signature move. “Yeah, I understand that. But this whole fake dating thing is probably not going to go over well. You know that, right?”
Slipping on my clothes, I said, “It was definitely not the way I wanted to meet her and get to know her, but you would’ve caved too if you’d seen Grammy crying. I’m so conflicted right now. My insides feel like a blender.”
“And she’s still not saying if there’s something else besides her hip going on?” When I heard his keys jingle, I knew we would have to hang up. He’d started listening to music on theway to work because it grounded him, and I didn’t want to make him feel obligated to stay on the phone.
“No, she hasn’t. I keep praying it’s all in my head, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. She looks more tired than usual, and she’s slowing down in every way.
“Listen, just say a prayer for me that this doesn’t backfire. And when you have more time, I need you to help me game plan this. You won Leyla’s heart after she hated you for years. Surely you can help me.”
He groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
“But look how it turned out. You’re happily married and have a beautiful life ahead of you. I just want the same thing. Or I think I do.”
“Wow, the last time I mentioned God finding you that special woman, you shot me down.”
Taking a bite of my buttered toast, I bypassed the real reason I’d said that to him. “A guy can change his mind, can’t he?”
Niko chuckled. “Yes, that’s very true. With the right woman, it’s possible. I’ll do anything I can to help. But just be careful. This scheme of yours could be dangerous for you, Ren, and Grammy.”
No truer words had ever been said.
Just before I left the house, I bit the proverbial bullet and texted the friend group. I figured I might as well get it over with.
Me: Morning. Long story, but Grammy railroaded me last night with another setup. Panicked and told her I had a girlfriend.
Leyla: About to go into a meeting but what?? What girlfriend?
Luke: Dude. Holding out on us. Wait that sounded like you made one up
