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“Ollie, this is Dani. My girlfriend.” I have to hold back a grin as I see how that one word transforms Dani’s expression into shock.

Ollie steps up and shakes her hand. “It’s about time he found someone semi-normal.”

Dani laughs. “You’ve got the semi right. But what makes you say that?”

Ollie gives a quick shrug. “Just a lot of experience being around this guy. And you’re not wearing a sour expression, glancing around for someone better to speak to.”

Turning to me, Dani gives me a side-eye. “If he can tell all that within five seconds of meeting, that’s a problem.”

We all laugh as the hostess leads us to our table, and I make sure to help Dani into her seat. She looks up and gives me a soft, “Thank you,” before picking up the menu. It’s small, but something about that act of gratitude takes over, sending a warm sensation throughout my chest.

It doesn’t take long for Ollie and me to decide what to get, while Dani pours over every inch of the menu. While her head is down, Ollie grins at me, giving me a thumbs up. His opinion is a big deal, as he’s been one of those people who’s kept me grounded over the years.

The server takes our order, and we settle into conversation.

“So, Dani, how’d this guy snag you?” Oliver says, pointing at me.

She glances over, her eyes shining with mischief. “Well, we were on separate dates when we found my date and his date in the men’s room making out.”

Ollie’s eyebrows are practically in his hairline. “Are you serious? What a story starter.”

I laugh. “It gets better. She threw Dr Pepper all over me, thinking I was her date.”

Leaning in, Ollie says, “If I were a writer, that would be the perfect meet cute.”

I raise an eyebrow. “When did my science-loving friend become a romantic?”

Ollie takes a sip of his drink and smiles. “I dated a writer for a few months. It’s interesting the pains people will endure for their art, you know? All the crazy hours of chasing inspiration and hoping that the words will come. I’d rather stick to facts and numbers.”

The three of us laugh.

“So are you dating anyone now?” I ask, curious as to what he’s been up to since I went radio silent after my breakup.

Oliver shakes his head. “Not at the moment. I’m actually back in the states for a while, looking at the chances to expand the family business here.”

I nod, liking the sound of that. Not only would I have the chance to see him more, but we’d be able to do some business here and there.

“What is it you do?” Dani asks. She takes a sip of water from her glass, but waits for Oliver’s response.

“My grandfather started a cell phone company in the Czech Republic about thirty years ago when they were like bricks. We’ve come a long way since then, but the company has expanded into several other markets and tech products. I’m more interested in the tech than the phones, to be honest.”

Dani nods, looking fully invested. Another contrast to how Tanya had been with my friends. “Is there anything I’ve heard of?”

Oliver sits back, his eyes narrowing as he takes her in. He glances in my direction, the small raise of his eyebrows and widening of his smile tells me he whole-heartedly approves of Dani. And while this is technically a fake relationship, I hope we’ll end up friends even after, even though a niggling feeling tells me I’m swimming in deep waters.

“We’ve made several brands of ear buds for PopCandy, as well as other wearable gear.”

“My brother went to London on a business trip a couple weeks ago and brought me home some of those ear buds,” Dani says grinning.

Oliver leans forward again and asks, “What was he doing in London?”

I realize I’m intrigued as well because Dani and I haven’t gotten into the specifics of family and siblings yet. I don’t have any, but now I know she has a brother.

“He works for a real estate company based there. They opened up a couple branches here over the past few years, but Landon is their traveling consultant.”

Oliver’s eyes narrow. “I’m going to go out on a limb and name drop the only real estate company I know in London. He wouldn’t happen to work for the Hamilton Group, would he?”

Dani’s eyes go wide, and I love the look of surprise on her face. I mean like, not love. Because we’re going to be friends after this relationship. We’d just need to get an apartment and a few more people who constantly drop by and we could make our own sitcom. The one where Miles and Dani end their fake relationship.