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“I’m pretty sure from looking at that giant kitty paradise in your basement that I’m not the one to blame here.”
I laugh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Getting back to the date thing…”
I settle onto a couch in the living area connected to the kitchen. My place has an open concept. Langston sits next to me.
“So you want to take me on a bunch of fake dates.”
“Well, I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend actually.”
“Oh, we’re taking this deception to a whole other level. I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“Think of it this way. It’ll get your parents off your back, my parents off my back, and keep Amanda at bay.”
“Why is Amanda coming into town? Are you guys getting back together?”
“Not if I have anything to do with it. She texted me and said she wants to talk to me and that it has to happen in person. My guess is she feels like she didn’t get enough out of me at our divorce settlement and is coming back for more. My mom is delighted to have her around and offered to let her stay at their place.”
“So she contacted you and said something about money?” I’m having trouble figuring out how all this came to pass.
“She didn’t say specifically that it’s about money. That’s just a speculation on my part. But she was being cryptic. The bottom line is I’m worried my mom will try to push me to get back together with her.”
“What’s wrong with her?” I tease. “She’s not your type?”
His face goes dark. “She left our marriage. I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“So you want me to pretend to date you?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if that’s such a great idea. I don’t want everyone getting their hopes up that we’re going to last. It wouldn’t be fair to them.”
“I guess you could always explore your options in India then.” A smile is playing at the corners of his lips.
“On second thought…”
He laughs. “Yeah. That’s what I thought. So, are we doing this then?”
I sigh. “It’s not ideal.”
“But what is ideal about this situation anyway?”
He has a good point.
Noodle jumps up on the couch and stares Langston down hard.
“I’m all out of meat, kitty.” He shows her his empty hands, but she meows demandingly at him.
I can’t help but laugh.
Noodle eventually gives up and snuggles beside Langston.
“I guess you’ve won her loyalty,” I say.
“That’s what happens when you spoil a kitty.”
“So back to the fake dating thing,” I say. “How is this going to work? Are we going to have to kiss each other and stuff?”