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I shake my head.
“You’re really lucky I never charged you for any of the other times.”
I nod. My mouth is dry. There’s no point arguing.
I hang my head. “I’ll get my bag.”
It’s possible I see a tiny bit of sympathy in her harsh blue eyes as I turn to go. It might just be my imagination, though. I can’t look at her again, so I quickly snatch my purse and head out the door into the sweltering heat of another Readstone summer afternoon.
This is the sort of weather that makes me want to be at the beach, or poolside on a lounger sipping a fancy cocktail. Not trudging through steamy city streets wondering how on earth I’m going to pay rent, or find a new job, or do any of the other things I’ve got to worry about now.
I can’t face going home. Not yet. Not when I know I definitely won’t have the money to pay the rent, and now I’ll have to find another place to live as well.
Oh shit.
I stumble to a nearby park bench and flop down with my head in my hands. I’m not going to cry in public. Definitelynotgoing to cry.
***
Gudroshcruka
Istare glumly at themessage from my father, listlessly noting the folders tucked behind my monitor are not sitting in a perfect line the way I like them.
Dad: Rosh, please tell me you’re bringing someone special to your sister’s wedding next week. I know you’ve been busy with work, but don’t wait too long to start your family will you? You don’t want to turn around and find out it’s too late.
I groan and run a palm over my face. The skin is dry, flaky. That’s what happens when I’ve been too stressed, and I haven’t spent enough time soaking.
I knew this would happen. I’m the last member of my family not to find a mate and settle down. Now my sister is officially tying the knot and starting her family, I knew they’d be at me to find a female. I just thought I had come up with the perfect way to buy myself a little more time to ignore them.
I had a brilliant plan. I had a human woman all lined up to be my fake girlfriend, to smile and hold my hand, and pretend we were courting to see if it was a true match. For some couples, it can take a while before the glow appears.
Well all my plans are in ruins now, because the pretty human female just contacted me to cancel our contract. Apparently she’s sick. What am I supposed to do now? The wedding starts tomorrow. I’m leaving in the morning. There’s no way Monstrous Deals will be able to find me another fake girlfriend on such short notice.
Will they?
Fuck! I have to try. I can’t stand a whole weekend of being hounded by every single member of my family and having to answer the same damn questions over and over: isn’t your clock ticking, Rosh? Don’t you want to be a father? How can a rich, handsome young kraken like you have failed to find a mate yet, huh? Don’t your brothers and sisters all look so happy with their clutches? When’s your turn?
