Page 9 of Your Rule to Break

Riley slumps down on a yoga mat, spreading her limbs out like a starfish. Her chest rises and falls quickly.

“When’s the next flight?” I ask, trying to distract her from the personal hell she seems to be going through.

“I just flew back from London, so I’m off the next two days. Then I’m on a six-day streak, so I won’t be able to do this again until at least next week.” Her eyes are closed as she speaks. “Which is good, considering I don’t know when I’ll be able to walk again.”

I start to stretch, using my own yoga mat. “Yes! I’m in serious need of Riley’s-tales-of-the-sky.” I clap my hands and rub them together.

Riley is a flight attendant and loves it. The thing I love most about her job are all the ridiculous passenger stories. Last week, they had to remove a man because he wouldn’t stop standing up and reciting his poetry. He seemed mentally sound, especially because heexplainedto the flight attendants that this was a new attempt at guerilla marketing. Apparently, he’s an indie author and was hoping on loads of press.

I mean, that probably wasn’t worth going on the no-fly list, but what do I know? Maybe being an indie author is harder than I think.

“What’s new with you?” Riley asks as she continues stretching.

What a question. I haven’t had much time to think about what this thing with Emilie means. It’s been a week since she and I basically shook hands on a fake relationship. My brain feels like a tornado, random thoughts just swirling around, crashing into whatever is in its way.

I’ve gone over the interaction a thousand times, and I can’t believe I went all in and invited myself to her sister’s wedding. All in the name of pissing off her ex. Showing him up. All I know is I saw them talking to Emilie and it took one awkward look around from her to know I had to help.

Fuck that guy. Who marries the little sister?

Just then, I get a text message from Kass Blonde Lawyer. All it says is “hi” before she sends a picture of her tits. I’ve never been more thankful that I didn’t open this next to Riley.

“Not much,” I lie, which is much better than, “Well, you see, I’ve decided to start fake dating someone to help make her ex jealous. It requires a passport and social media approval. Also, someone just casually sent me a nude.”

My sister can typically call out a lie before it even falls out of my mouth, but she buys this one. I blame it on the lack of oxygen making it to her brain.

Iwilltell her, just not right now. Maybe I’ll run it by Emilie, since it’s the first rule she set? I was so nervous about what she was going to propose that I sort of forget about needing to keep Riley in the loop.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re so boring.”

Sure. That’s it.

Chapter 7

Emilie

First dates are hard.Fake first dates might be harder.

Tonight Zack and I are going out, and I’m counting on the press to do its thing. Since we’re supposed to have been together for a bit already, I need evidence of our relationship timeline. For my family to think this is real, which is non-negotiable, I have to kick that timeline into gear.

That means going with Zack to a new restaurant opening for The Trivium Food Company. It’s a small-plate centric spot in Tribeca, taking common American style foods and putting a modern or bougie spin on it.

Out of all the things Zack has on his calendar, this one is an easy yes. I already follow the owner on social media and have been drooling over the food pics.

Even before last season’s championship, Zack seemed to get invites to things like this all the time. Whether it’s live-streaming some part of the event—paired with unhinged commentary—or posting on his socials with the type of caption that makes you raise your eyebrows, he never fails to deliver. With Zack, you never know what you’re going to get, but you can almost bet it will be a good time.

What do you wear to a fake date? I stand in my walk-in closet, hands on my hips, sweat starting to break out across my forehead. Why does it feel like I just worked out when all I’ve done is pull clothes on, only to take them off three minutes later?

Zack is also zero help.

Me

What are you wearing?

Zack

my new pink shorts

be serious