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“Kins is good. She’s starting school in the Fall. I can’t believe it.” Remy shakes his head as Peter chuckles.
“Be prepared. It’s tough to see,” he advises Remy, clapping him on the back. “How’s everything at C&K, Kyle? Going smoothly?”
“It’s a lot to learn, but I think it’s good. Dad did good work setting up the company for success for me.” I look around the store to see what they have that’s new. “It makes it a little easier to get used to it.”
“Look at us all grown up and CEO’s,” Remy jokes as we laugh. We chat for a while and look around the store, all picking something out and getting set up to pick up the clothes in another couple of weeks.
I shake their hands again and head back to my house to make a plan for tomorrow. Mom calls as I walk in the door, and I sigh at the sight of her name on the screen.
“Hi, Mom. I was just getting my tux for the event,” I greet her as I set my keys down. “How are you?”
“Why did you end your date so early last night, Kyle? Brittany thought you didn’t like her.” There it was, and I knew it was coming.
“She wasn’t a lot different from the others, Mom. I didn’t click with her, either. Can I take a break from this nonsense now?” I ask as I go to look out my window at the water. It always soothes me growing up near it in Boston.
“Have you found a wife yet?” Mom asks as I glare at the sky.
“Just give me a break before the event so I can focus on work and getting some rest. Deal?” I ask, hoping to have a plan by then.
“If you insist. I’ll be busy finishing up the planning and all the last-minute details.” Mom sighs. “After that, we’ll work further on this.”
We chat a little longer before ending the call and I sit down with my phone to get some good ideas for the Seattle tour tomorrow. There are obvious places to go like Pike Place, which I knew Laina would love. There is a great vibe there and she’ll get a kick out of the people and activity.
I know she will love the Chihuly Garden and Glass as well. Laina had a definite creative side to her that will embrace that and it’s a big help in her field.
I am going to take her to lunch somewhere and spring my idea on her hoping she agrees to get me out of my misery. Laina already offered to be my getaway call if needed, though I didn’t take her up on it. I am just asking her to take it one step further for a little while.
I try to sleep that night, though my plan keeps racing through my head as I toss and turn. What if she says no? Would she?
In the morning, I have some coffee at home for a change and dress in comfortable jeans and a college sweatshirt. The sky is clear today, but there’s a breeze and I check my phone before leaving the house.
I drive to Laina’s apartment and park on the curb before looking around to find her place, grinning when I see her walking down some stairs. Laina looks great in jeans, braided hair under a gray beanie and a soft pink sweater.
“Hi,” she greets me as I get out to give her a hug. “How are you? Thanks for the invite.”
“I’m good. Looking forward to this. Are you hungry, or do you want to wait until later for lunch?”
“Well, I skipped my coffee this morning, so eating might not be a bad idea.” She smiles and I think about how pretty she looks.
“Perfect. We’ll hit Pike Place first and grab some lunch there.” I lead her to my new SUV and open the door for her, getting her settled before going to start the car.
Once we are there, Laina takes everything in with a huge smile.
“I love this place,” she tells me as we wander around to watch the action of the market, filled with voices and laughter.
I find a little seafood place when we finish, getting a seat in the back as she takes a few shots of the area with her phone.
“I have a proposition for you, Laina. Remember how you offered to be my decoy call?” I ask her as she sips her soda.
“Yes. What’s up?” she asks as I take a drink of water.
“I’d like you to be my fake girlfriend for a little while, Laina. Our first appearance will be at a charity event in two weeks, if you agree. I need a break from Mom.” I look into her eyes as they widen in surprise.
7
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Laina
