Page 40 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“I mean this in the most non-mansplaining way possible…” Marsh starts.

“That’s never a good way to start a sentence,” I warn.

“There’s a life you’re envisioning in your mind. You deserve to have it,” Marsh says.

His words surprise me. Like his sentiment is something that deserves to be worked up to saying; you can’t just say that to someone so easily. Yet here we are in the middle of a diner at elevena.m.and he’s telling me that I deserve the things I want.

“All right, you’ve met your fake boyfriend encouraging speechquota for the week.” I dismiss him and try my pork belly, which I can now say is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. “I was brainstorming, and I have ourcouples activitiesI’d like us to do. There’s also a rom-com marathon at the New Beverly I want to go to.”

“Great, let’s do it,” Marsh says. “When?”

“In two weeks. SaturdayandSunday.” I grin. “Take your pick.”

Marsh takes out his phone, and I see his eyes scan back and forth. “I, uh, I can’t that weekend.”

I haven’t known Marsh for long, but it hasn’t taken me long to catch on to his mannerisms; when he finds something genuinely funny, when he’s frustrated, or now, when a cleft forms between his brows and I can tell he’s stressed out.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Hmm?” He looks up. “Oh yeah, I just…I’m out of town then.”

“You sound excited,” I say sarcastically.

“My niece Sadie’s sixth birthday.” He lets out a forced smile. “Julia’s going to be there.”

“Oh…” I’m still not entirely understanding why this woman is such a big part of Marsh’s life.

“What about tomorrow?”

There’s a small part of me that knows I should leave it. But there’s an even bigger part of me that is starting to care about Marsh, like a friend? “Want me to come?” I offer.

“To what?”

“The birthday party,” I clarify. “I know we haven’t really talked about it, but maybe it would be fun.”

“No, that’s not necessary,” he says. “You’re already coming to the wedding.”

“Exactly, so it would make sense for me to also come to this. Especially if Julia’s going to be there,” I say. “Plus! It will check one of the boxes on my couples activities to do this month.”

“It’s in the Bay Area,” he says, not necessarily saying no.

“Great.” I smile. “I love it up there.”

Marsh dips lower in his seat and leans his head back in the booth. “This is fucked.”

“It’ll be fun.” I correct him and flash my most dazzling smile. “Just tell me when and where to be and I’ll be there—”

“No,” Marsh interrupts. “I’m driving us.”

“Fine,” I say.

“And are you going to tell me about this checklist you have?”

I let out an embarrassed laugh realizing that detail slipped. “Oh, uh, yeah. It’s just something stupid I made to make sure I get as much out of this month as possible.”

Marsh reaches across the table, offering me an open palm. “Let’s see.”

“I’m good,” I say. “This is very embarrassing for me.”