g thing yet. I said you just need to find a girl and tak

what, ex

girl and take her t

ion quite clearly said, Seriously, dude, can

re a girl

elf from blurting out, « Who the hell is desperate

er said. « Pr

« Oh, no. I'm not hirin

girlfriend, a fake one. I think I jus

has to be perfect, » Jay said, and he

er confirmed. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, he

ical glance. « What

l well that he had Jay hooked. « Tru

breath. « This is either going to be a dis

ealized until then just how much he had actually enjoyed this place. He loved the view, the placid waters of the

s one in picturesque harmony. The occasional gust of wind sent the tall grass along the roads into a frenzy, as if the earth itself was trying to push back against the towering peaks above it. Now and again,

is veins. He let his mind wander, thinking about the business back in New York, his family, and all the things he'd been tangled up in for the p

ng later, they arrived in the c

the city ? » Jay asked as they came through the short

It's a small town, bro. The Edinburgh of the South, they call it. We'll have to park

ey were stuck in traffic like any other city. At least the atmosphere here was differe

n commented, eyeing the crowd cros

Mostly university kids. All running around with their h

eyebrows rising. « Not supposed

er like he was on a texting marathon. «

ns and coats, a few in shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops, trying to make the most of the warm weather. The young women wore flimsy coats, super skinny jeans or leggings and miniskirts,

d for a small city from a near-forgotten country. Certainly few in New York would be familiar with this place. There

lection in the SUV's window, his face drawn and serious, the weight of business and family hanging heavy on his shoulders.

ay out of his thoughts. « Hold tight. There's no parking

the overwhelming sight of it all-it wasn't New York, but it was alive. And maybe that was all h

thrilled about the idea of meeting Peter's mystery girl, especially given the strange way Peter had des

wooden tables tucked beneath string lights that dangled from the ceiling. It smelled of freshly ground coffee and bake

osely around her face. She wore a simple gray sweater and a pair of worn jeans, far from the polished, glamorous types Jay was used to

in his chest as she got up, glancing their way with a small, warm smil

» Peter introduced. «

e as she extended her hand

e, no pretense. Just a simple greeting between two strangers. But there was something about her, something diff

to find their rhythm in the silence. But Jay couldn't help but wonder if this plan of