Page 40 of Yours, For Now

Lina: good idea. My dad was asking

about you. I'll be at your office in 20.

We can work on the shortlist document

Gabe: I'm at home, actually. Do you

mind? I also felt like working in my

pajamas. If you want to wear yours,

I won't mind

Lina: casual date? My mom would

tsk at me

Gabe: Meh, just tell her we're getting

closer and she'll be happy again

Lina: lol, true. Have you eaten? I can pick

something up

Gabe: I was going to order, but

if you bring something that

would be awesome.

I'll send you my address and a code.

You can use the code to park

underground, and then to activate

the elevator to my place. See you soon

EventhoughIusuallyslept in my underwear and a shirt, while lounging at home I liked to wear joggers. The navy cotton covering my legs contrasted well with my gray shirt, and I decided it was a modest-enough look in which to see my fake girlfriend.

A mirror decorated part of the hallway wall, and I quickly ran my fingers through my hair to put it all in order. Once satisfied, I emptied the dishwasher and organized the small mess in my living room. It was good host behavior; nothing to do with the titillating notion of having Lina over. I did it to make my mom proud, really. Even if she wouldn't be there to see it.

When I thought Lina was about to arrive, I unlocked my door and set it ajar. There were only three doors on our floor: the elevator doors, a door to Jake's apartment, and one to mine. Having it unlocked meant that, when she arrived, she'd know exactly where to go.

Holding a pillow in my hand, I fluffed it and dropped it onto the couch just as my door opened. My heart leaped, before Jake appeared on the doorway, the finger he'd used to push the door out of the way still straight in the air.

"Oh. Hi." I picked the other pillow on my sofa and fluffed it up. "Thought you'd be Lina."

Jake arched an eyebrow. Neither of us were the kind to bring women around that much— if ever.

"Lina, huh?" He smirked. "Something going on?"

"Something's going on." I dropped the pillow on the sofa again, and checked my watch. Lina would be here any second now. She had never been late to a date; I didn't think she'd be late that night.

"Something work-related, or something… else?"

"Something… of both."