Faking It with the Frenemy

She looks down at herself, a small frown marring her forehead. “I’m getting fat. Like, huge. I need to work off the extra calories.”

I tilt my head, wondering where those “extra calories” are. She’s gotta be a size zero or pretty close. Still, she looks unhappy about it, so I decide, Why not? “My friends and I are going to a barre session tomorrow after work if you want to come.” Jo and Hilary won’t mind meeting my new roommate.

“Really?” She brightens. “I’d love that. It’s like ballet, right?”

“Sort of,” I say, hoping she doesn’t show up in a pink tutu. I’m learning that you never know with Yuna.

“Awesome. I’ve done ballet, but not barre. Always wanted to try it.”

My phone pings and I check the text. It’s Wyatt asking what I want for dinner. I start to type Thai, then stop. Does Yuna want to join us? I feel bad about leaving her alone in the apartment again after the weekend. It doesn’t look like she has a lot of friends—at least, I haven’t noticed anybody coming over—and she’s “hiding” from her mom’s evil spies. She must be getting pretty bored and restless.

“Do you want to have dinner with us?” I blurt out before I can catch myself.

“No, thanks,” she says. “I’m going to make myself a salad. But maybe tomorrow after working out?”

“Oh. Okay.” The girls and I do drinks, and Yuna will enjoy that.

I let Wyatt know I want Thai and take Champ out for his walk, again because I’m feeling bad about the fact that Yuna’s been taking care of my dog. She said she would when she moved in, but still, he’s my responsibility.

When Champ and I make it back to the apartment—after much snuffling and exploration on Champ’s part—I get another message from Wyatt.

–Wyatt: In the elevator. Be there soon.

Happy anticipation fills me. I slide a bowl of food under Champ’s nose, then wait for Wyatt in front o

f his door.

I hear the small ping from the elevator. Wyatt steps out, carrying a brown bag. A smile breaks out over my face, and my heart feels funny. Pounding hard and fast isn’t the half of it; more like it’s trying out for the U.S. gymnastics Team. I almost put a hand over it, so it doesn’t triple-twist out of my chest. Is this what people mean when they say their heart flip-flopped?

Wyatt walks up, puts his free arm around my waist and kisses me. “Evenin’.”

“Good evening,” I say, a little bit breathless.

“Let’s have dinner.” He unlocks the door and opens it. I walk inside with him. Princess comes over and rubs herself all around my ankles, her small body vibrating as she purrs. I pick her up and check her crown. Still white, thank God. Pink would have been—

“I think she really likes you,” Wyatt says.

“Yeah, she does. And I like her too. I just wish she’d stop leaving me presents.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know why she does that to you when she doesn’t to me or Vi.”

I stare the cat in the eyes. “You need to stop, Princess. I don’t like dead bugs. Or birds. Or rodents. I like chocolate…but you can’t catch that in the wild.”

Princess mewls, then twists until she’s free from my grasp and lands on her feet.

Wyatt spreads the Thai food on the table and gives me a paper plate from the bag. My mouth waters at green shrimp curry with rice, pad Thai, a sea bass simmered in some spicy broth and green mango salad. All the things I texted him that I loved.

“This is going to be so good.” I gesture at the salad.

“I’ve never had it,” he says, looking at the food dubiously. “Isn’t green mango sort of disgusting?”

“No, it’s good. You’ll like it.”

We split the food. He chews on the salad dutifully, then pushes it slightly more toward my way. I smother a smile, pretending not to notice. Okay, maybe it isn’t his thing. It’s on the crispy side and spicy.

“So. How did the interview go?” I ask.

“It went fine. Actually, better than fine. Loren’s perfect.”