Page 2 of The Stranger

Me: Do I know you?

I sit there staring down at my phone for the longest time.

“This is ridiculous,” I mutter under my breath. I have better things to do … like sleep. I’ll worry about this mess later.

As I go to exit the app, I see three small dots appear. They just as quickly go away and then reappear once again.

Is this woman struggling to formulate a response? It’s an easy fucking question. A few more minutes pass, and my annoyance grows as I impatiently wait to read what she has to say. Is she writing a damn novel?

A growl rumbles in the back of my throat when her response finally comes through.It’s one word.Ittook her five minutes to type one syllable.

Delilah: Yikes.

Is she kidding? She posts something like this and all she can say is yikes?

Me: It’s a yes or no answer, Miss St. James if that’s even your real name. Or are you a phony who’s trying to scam me?

Delilah: I would never!!!!

Me: Still not an answer. And you would never what?

Delilah: Scam somebody. What type of person do you think I am?

Me: I have no idea what type of person you are because I don’t know you! Hence why I’m perplexed that you would think we’re a couple. And isn’t that exactly what you are doing? Advertising to the world that you are in a committed relationship when you clearly are not. In my eyes, that could be classed as a scam … at the very least, misleading and dishonest.

Delilah: Ugh.

Me: Ugh? Is that even a word?

Delilah: Of course it is.

Me: What is the definition then?

Delilah: It is basically an annoyed grunting sound that someone makes in the back of their throat when others (namely you) are being annoying!!!!

A smirk tugs at my lips because I like her sass. She copies and pastes something to further validate her claim.

Delilah: Britannica Dictionary definition of UGH. informal—used to show that you are annoyed, disgusted, or upset about something.

Me: Isn’t it me who should be annoyed, disgusted or upset? After all, I’m the person who’s being implicated in a fake relationship.

Delilah: I know and I’m sorry for dragging you into my mess. *Sigh. I’ll take it down, my bad for choosing someone so testy to be my temporary fake boyfriend.

Despite my irritation by this situation, I find myself smiling at the adorable sigh she added to her reply.

Me: Can I ask why you are looking for a fake boyfriend? You’re not exactly ugly.

Delilah: Wow, thanks. Maybe this is why you’re single, Mr Prescott. Your compliments need some work.

I bark out a laugh.

Me: I’m single by choice, Miss St. James.

Delilah: Well, I’m not. I’m single because my fiancé is a lowdown, dirty, cheating piece of shit!!!

Me: I’m sorry to hear that.

Delilah: Tell me about it.