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“Yeah. Bringing her would get Mom off my back.” I try to sound confident, but the way Amanda looks at me makes it clear she isn’t entirely convinced.
“Maybe,” she concedes. “But you better make sure your ‘girlfriend’ is okay with it.”
“True,” I say, my mind racing as I consider how to pull this off. “I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
“Good luck with that one, too.” Amanda smirks, her eyes returning to the books on the table.
“Thanks.” I chuckle at her teasing tone. Little does she know that I have a plan in mind, and she is about to be the lead role. I dial Mom back, never taking my gaze off Amanda. “Hey, Mom. I asked my girlfriend, and she’d happily join us.”
“She will?” There was a brief pause before her excitement burst through. “Oh, Blake! That’s wonderful news! You aren’t kidding?”
Guilt slams into me like a body check against the wall. I hadn’t expected Mom to be this giddy over a girl. But what harm can come from a tiny white lie? I’ll convince Amanda to go to dinner and meet the family. Then, Mom will be off my back.
“Nope. Count us in,” I lie, and another pang of guilt creeps back in. But this time, it’s for getting Amanda involved in this mess without her knowledge.
“What’s her name?”
“Amanda and she’s amazing.”
I watch those plump lips part in shock as we hold each other’s gaze.
“Ooohh!” Mom’s enthusiasm makes me cringe. “I can’t wait to meet her. I’ll call Morticia and tell her not to come. This is so exciting.”
Wait, what? She wanted to set me up with a girl named Morticia?I shiver. Mom’s taste is questionable at best.
“She looks forward to meeting you, too.” Hanging up the phone, I take a deep breath and brace myself for what is sure to be an interesting conversation.
“What the hell was that?” All wide-eyed, Amanda looks cute. I hold back a chuckle.
“Me making an old woman happy?”
“By lying to her?”
I wince. “You’d understand if you knew the extent she takes to find me dates.”
“I hope you know another Amanda.”
“That hurts.” I grab my chest in mock offense. “You just called yourself my girlfriend fifteen minutes ago.”
“That was to ward off a stalker, not some innocent old lady.”
“It’s one dinner Saturday night.”
“I was going to pick up a shift that night.”
That’s right. I overheard Amanda’s conversation about her paycheck being late. Desperate times call for desperate measures. If she needs the money…
“Hey,” I begin, mentally preparing myself for the ridiculous proposal I’m about to make. “I’ve got a crazy idea but hear me out.”
“Okay,” she replies, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
“I need a favor, and I think it could mutually benefit both of us.” I step closer, eyes dipping to those plump lips. “I really have to bring a date.”
“It’s not just a date, though. You need agirlfriend.”
“I know it’s insane, but I’ll pay you. It’s a win-win.”
Her mouth dropped as if I had somehow offended her. “I am not for hire.”
