“Because if I’mhonest, then my career is over.”
“What are you going to do, bud?” Brett asked.
Everyone fell quiet as they contemplated my hopeless predicament. But after a brief silence, they lost interest, the conversation moving on to other topics.
Icouldn’t move on, though. The clock was ticking. I needed a solution to save my career.
So I sat and turned the problem over in my head.
The thing was, I couldn’t bring justanygirl to that dinner, because I was essentially walking into a minefield with a woman on my arm. Hell, she was maybe even more key to the ruse thanIwas.
The girl I brought had to be beautiful, smart, and interesting enough that you’d believe a pro athlete like me would give up all the easy ass thrown my way, because I justhadto be with her instead. She had to be a quick thinker, too, and possess the wit to dodge whatever curveballs Mr. Capuano might throw at us. But most importantly, she had to have the acting chops to convince an intimidating billionaire that we were truly an item.
Acting chops.The phrase was a revelation that reverberated in my brain.
It made so much sense, I couldn’t believe it.
“I’ve got it!” I yelled.
My friends demanded to know why I was laughing like a madman.
“I’m going to hire an actress to pretend to be my girlfriend,” I announced, completely determined.
My friends erupted with laughter.
Somebody shouted,“Sure you are, Dak!”
They didn’t think it was possible. Or they thought I was joking. I didn’t disabuse them of either notion. Because if this was going to work? I had to truly start faking it ’til I made it.
Which means I’ve had my last drink of the summer,I thought.
I hopped off my lounge chair and poured the rest of my can out in the rocks. Seeking a quiet spot to work, I went back inside Rust’s house. I headed into the living room and got comfy on his couch, next to his sleepy husky, Minka. The fluffy cutie shot me an expressive look that seemed to say,Bro. You’re insane. You know that, right?
“You got any better ideas, Minka?” I murmured, and gently patted her head. “Nothin’ to say for once in your life, huh?”
I cracked my knuckles, whipped out my cell phone, and started tapping away, eager to find my girlfriend.
4
Not a Joke
Ottavia
In the corner of a cozy cafe, I found solace at a table for one, a small and round slab of walnut. Light filtered through the large window, where green vines climbed and soaked up what was left of the day’s precious sunlight. The rich aroma of coffee hung heavy in the air, sweetened by the scent of the peppermint tea wafting from my mug.
I could sit and people-watch in hereallday long. Nestled in the heart of the Arts District, the rustic cafe was quietly bustling with creative types: art school kids, moody musicians, the hipsters with their ironic but cool sense of style. It was the kind of place where I felt like I could truly blend in and get lost.
But seeing all the other students diligently working on their projects reminded me that I’d come here to get some work done, too.
With a sigh, I turned my attention back to the laptop that glowed softly in front of me. I’d been applying for jobs all afternoon.Anyjob. I wasn’t picky about it. I just wanted to get a job based on my own merit, and not be hired because of my last name.
And lemme tell ya—it was rough pickings. There just isn’t much out there right now.
I was cruising Craigslist when, among all the scams and MLM schemes, one strange job listing caught my eye:
URGENT! Seeking Talented Actress for Unique Role TOMORROW.
“This is a joke, right?” I murmured under my breath.
