“Ah, sorry to bother you. Just wondering when you’d be done with the research data from Scripps,” he said, still keeping his distance.
Everyone at work was used to the guy who always smiled and had a joke to tell. The one everyone wanted to go to lunch with or play pool with.
“Not yet. Give me an hour?” I asked, making sure my voice was kinder.
“Yeah, sure. Thanks, Mike.” He loped out of my office like I had kicked his dog. I blew out a long breath and rubbed my head.
This was just what I expected whenever I let my guard down.
Keep the pretenses up, Mike. Don’t show them any other side except the one they like.
Shaking my head, trying to dislodge that inner voice, I realized I hadn’t answered Ren.
Me: That works. I get off about 5. Call you on my way home.
All she gave me was a thumbs up, and even that bolstered my mood. At least it was something.
Concerned about talking through this fake-dating thing with Ren while I was driving, I decided to wait to call her until I got home. Of course, traffic on I-8 was worse than ever.
“Come on, come on,” I whispered, trying to get around a van filled with surfers. The frantic wave I gave them as I finally passed was meant to signal them to move faster. Butthey thought it was an enthusiastic gesture and hung out the windows, waving back and yelling things about my rad truck, their long, wet hair blowing in the wind like they didn’t have a care in the world.
As frustrated as I was, I had to laugh. As an avid surfer, I understood the endorphin high they were on from being in the water. I laughed even harder when I thought about how much Niko hated it when I used surfing terms like "rad" and "gnarly". Honestly, once I knew it irritated him, I only did it more. Hailing them with a final two-finger salute, I raced the rest of the way home.
“5:15, ugh,” I grunted, flying through the door and running straight to the back door to let Max out. I knew if I did that, I’d bypass his sloppy greeting until I made this call. “Love you, buddy,” I called to him as he eyed me suspiciously, but happily raced out to chase the squirrel. He was getting old and slowing down, but he still had a little bit of crazy left in him.
Taking in a long inhale and plopping down on the couch, I pressed her contact info. It rang and rang, and just as I was about to hang up, she answered.
“Hey, sorry, I was in Vicky’s backyard painting with MJ,” Ren answered, a little out of breath.
“No worries, do you want to call me later? Hate to interrupt. That girl is so talented, I’m sure she’s got a masterpiece going.”
Please don’t hang up. Please don’t hang up.
“No, no. I’ve been waiting to hear from you. We have a lot to talk about,” she said, with something that sounded like a giggle.
More than excited that she was eager to talk, I smiled widely. “Yes, I guess we do. How’s your visit going?” I was partly stalling to keep her on the phone and partly afraid of the impending conversation.
I heard her footsteps walking away from the background noise I couldn’t make out, followed by the creaking of a door, and it closing.
“Sorry, had to go somewhere quiet. It’s been good. Taking it slow and acclimating to the time change mostly. Vicky and I have spent as much time together as she can manage. We have a few things we’re working on, but just enjoying hanging out this week. Oh, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow night and meeting everyone.”
“I can’t wait to see you. I mean, can’t wait to beat you at whatever game we’re playing. You’ve been warned that I’m competitive,” I said, shaking my head at my slip.
She chuckled deeply, and my skin broke out in goosebumps.
Over a chuckle? Seriously, you’re going to have to calm down. Maybe it was an Italian chuckle? That’s stupid, dude.
“Mike? Still there?”
I sat up straight as if that would help me concentrate somehow. Like how I’d have to turn the music down when I was concentrating on driving somewhere new. Weird, but true.
“Sorry, my mind wandered for a minute. What was that?”
Ren laughed again. “I said I can’t wait to see if I’ve finally met my match.”
“W-well, we will see tomorrow night. Anyway, I thought we should talk before then. About the…thing.”
“The fake girlfriend thing?” she asked, humor coloring her voice. “Yeah, I think we should.”
