Page 36 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“So, I offered to go with him.”

Jonah looks like he’s trying to solve a math puzzle in his head. “Yeah, I’m still confused.”

“I’m not done,” I continue. “Eman met with me last week and she was saying my column hasn’t been doing as well as it used to.”

“What?” Jonah turns abruptly toward me. “Why?”

“Apparently people want to read about the vagaries of babies and marriage when you meet someone you care about.” I roll my eyes. “Regardless, I need to adjust my voice.”

Jonah squints. “In what way?”

“I need to start writing about my new relationship,” I say.

“Whatnew relationship?”

I take a dramatic pause. “Enter Marsh. He’s going to be my boyfriend for the next month or so.”

Jonah’s face collapses. “He’swhat?”

“Technicallymy boyfriend,” I amend. “We’ll pretend to date each other. He’ll have a date to the wedding, and I’ll have a solid month’s worth of relationship stories that are going to be successful as ever…leaving me with the best case for a promotion.”

Jonah’s mouth curls as he processes this plan. “You know, it’slike a plot of a movie that’s so unrealistic nobody would actually do it in real life,” he says. “But when you think about it…it’s genius?”

“Thank you!” I wave my hand to him, glad that someone else understands.

“I havemanyfollow-up questions, though,” he says as we get off the elevator.

“Obviously.”

On our way out of the building, I see Marsh walking through the front doors. He has a deep brown leather laptop bag around his shoulder and is wearing a black denim shirt and green trousers.

Speak of the devil.

“Hey, Marsh!” I stop as we make eye contact.

“Hey,” he says, making his way toward us.

“Marsh, this is Jonah Katz. Jonah, this is Marshall Oakley,” I say as normally as I can, given our last topic of discussion. “He’s the news reporter taking over for Jay.”

“Nice to meet you, Jonah.” Marsh puts out a hand and Jonah shakes it. “Lucy has said nothing but great things about you.”

Jonah cuts me a wide-eyed look. “Welcome toThe Journal,Marsh,” he says. “Has anyone told you about the monthly happy hour? You should come!”

“Oh, uh, no, I don’t think so,” Marsh says. “But sounds like fun. What day?”

“In two weeks,” Jonah tells him. “I’ll add you to the group.”

“Sounds great.” Marsh moves his bag to the other shoulder.

“You got it,” Jonah says. “Nice meeting you.”

“You too.” Marsh tips his head in our direction. “Have a good one, Luce.”

“Bye!” I wave to him. When he’s out of sight, Jonah puts on his sunglasses, and I can see the glare he’s giving me through his tinted shades. “What?”

“Lucy, donottell me you two hooked up.”

My head whips to him once we get outside. “No! Why would you think that?”