Fake Marriage Box Set

“You are just as sweet as pie. It's good to see you boys in here. You started competing?”

“Last weekend,” I told her.

“Well, good luck. Maybe this will be the year,” she smiled.

“Let's hope so. I don't know how many more I have in me.” I winked at her, and she turned, taking the ticket to the kitchen. The diner wasn't packed, which was weird for the time of day. Must have been the threat of rain. The town was getting older, and so were we, and most of the people in town stayed home when it rained like it was supposed to today.

Ethel walked back over and sat down our drinks before disappearing to another table. She was kind to everyone, but we were the only ones in town that had special nicknames. She had called me Lukie-poo since I was ten years old, and while I didn't appreciate it then, I did now.

Ryan and I chatted over our meal about the next several trips, and every time he tried to steer the conversation toward Emerson, I diverted.

“What the hell is going on?” he stopped me when I was talking about the Portland trip.

“What do you mean?”

“You refuse to talk about Emmy?”

“Why would we be talking about Emmy—Emerson.” I corrected not so smoothly.

“You had your tongue down her throat last night, and now you won't talk about her? I remember when you dated Leslie a hundred years ago. You ta

lked about her nonstop for months.”

“I just don't want to talk about her, okay?”

“What happened? Something had to have happened.” He glared at me.

“We just decided that maybe it was best if we slowed things down.”

“Why? That's stupid.”

“I didn't say I liked it, but I agreed with her.”

“So you didn't want to slow things down?” he asked.

“No, not really.”

“So?”

“I'm not going to push her, Ryan. She has a lot on her plate, and I shouldn't have kissed her.”

“Wait. That was the first time you've kissed her?”

“Yeah.” I nodded

“Holy shit!” he said loudly.

“Ryan.”

“I mean holy shit,” he whispered.

“It just happened.”

“You had her pinned up on the counter half naked after one kiss! Dude, I need some secrets.”

I shook my head not really knowing if I should even be talking about this with him. “No secrets, it just kind of happened.”

“I hate I even came over, you guys would be married by now if I hadn't interrupted. I need to go talk to her.”