AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Guys are weird,” Madi said. “If you don’t feel comfortable, Lauren, don’t do it. Say you’re busy.”
“She’s right.” Tina set her empty glass on the coffee table. “Or, if you want, we’ll go with you. It’s Monday tomorrow, right? You have the early shift.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. She was right—I did. I’d be off by eight, and if I took them both with me… “You’d go with me?”
“Of course,” they said simultaneously.
“Ugh. I feel like a pig heading to slaughter.” I sniffed and hit the reply button.
LAUREN: What time & where? I have to work until 8.
UNKNOWN: The train station at 8:15?
LAUREN: Okay, but that doesn’t give me time to change.
UNKNOWN: It’s ok. I’m coming from work too.
LAUREN: K, see you then.
“Okay.” I relayed the messages to the girls. “Are you sure you can both do this?”
They nodded.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tina asked me, concern flashing in her eyes. “You don’t look comfortable with this.”
“I’m not,” I admitted. “Something doesn’t feel right, but not in a jogger-in-a-dark-park kind of way.”
Madi snorted. “What kind of way?”
“Jogger-in-a-dark-park,” I repeated. “It’s always joggers who find dead bodies in parks. It’s why they can’t be trusted.”
“Fair enough.”
“It just feels weird.” I finished my glass and set it down. “I don’t know why. I just don’t think I like it very much, but at the same time, that’s exactly why I have to go.”
Tina hauled herself up with a sigh. “You’re gonna get yourself murdered one day, girl.”
“Yeah, well, as long as you don’t start jogging, you won’t ever have to find me.”
She snorted, hitting me on the side of the head as she made her way to the bathroom. “Lauren!” she called back to us.
“What?”
“Your cat is sitting on the toilet.
***
The more I thought about this, the worse the idea became.
Not because of Mason.
In fact, this was a good thing where he was concerned. I was going to swear that until I was blue in the face. We weren’t actually dating, none of this was real, and I could go out with whoever I wanted, right?
Right.
In theory.
In reality, the guilt was powerful. I felt as though I was going behind his back, and it was a hard feeling to shake off. I didn’t want to betray him, even though I technically wasn’t.
Was that why this whole thing felt ‘off?’
Because my stupid little heart had caught the feelings flu?
Ugh.
I didn’t even know anymore. My confusion was real. It was consuming, and if I didn’t pull up my big girl panties soon, I was going to be screwed big time.
I took a deep breath and leaned against the streetlight. The train station was lit up, bright and lively, and there was a slow but steady stream of people coming in and out. I had no idea who I was looking for, and I was counting almost entirely on them recognizing me.
I was wearing a hot pink sweater. It wasn’t going to be that hard to notice me.
I glanced over toward the train station café where Tina and Madi were sitting, each nursing a cup of coffee. Madi shot me a thumb up of reassurance, and I forced my gaze away from them.
God, what was I doing?
It was too late to back out of this now.
It was eight-fifteen, and my mystery date was about to show up.
I was insane. I’d lost my damn mind.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and looked down at the screen. There were no new messages, no missed calls, nothing. My stomach sank, and I didn’t even know why—it wasn’t like I was expecting anything from anyone.
Jesus, what was happening to me?
“Lauren?”
My head jerked up at the sound of a voice—a woman’s voice.
A familiar woman’s voice.
My gaze rested on a face I honestly never wanted to see again in my life.
Claudia.
Kill her with kindness, Lauren. Do not fling your shoe at her.
“Can I help you?” I kept my tone level.
“As a matter of fact, you can.” A smile that reeked of slyness spread across her face. “I’m your date for tonight.”
“I’m sorry?”
“The little ad you put up online.” Her smile widened, and she put one hand on her hip. “I’m the person who texted you.”
My stomach flipped. “I don’t understand.”
“How much clearer do I need to say it? I’m the one who texted you. Your ad is still up. The ad you conveniently posted right before my high school reunion.” Smugness flashed in her eyes, and she adjusted the strap of her expensive purse. “I know you and Mason aren’t really together. It’s all a ruse, for a reason I don’t understand. I’m not going to even try.”
“Why are you here?” I asked, a bite to my tone. “You don’t know anything about me and Mason. That ad doesn’t mean anything.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you, Claudia. You’re his ex.”
