My heart races in anticipation.
Right on schedule, Miles FaceTimes me.
I pick it up on the first ring.
We grin at each other like idiots.
Erica
How’s your day going?
Miles
Eh, pretty average.
Miles
But seeing your beautiful face has made it so much better.
Miles
Ah, I miss you so much!
Erica
I know. Long distance is hard.
Erica
Maybe you can come to New York sometime.
Miles
But you know how crazy my job is.
Miles
Of course, it’s not as bad now that Kelly is here to help me out.
I grit my teeth at the mention of her name…
But I don’t think Miles notices.
As he continues to talk about his day…
I open up Kelly’s Instagram page.
With her honey-blonde hair and petite frame.
And why does she have to post so many photos of herself in a bikini??
The latest bikini picture has over 2,000 likes!
And one of them is Miles.
Miles
So then Kelly said the funniest thing at the company meeting—
Erica
Oh, great, so she’s funny, too.
I try to keep the snide tone out of my voice…
But Miles definitely notices this time.
Miles
What’s wrong, Erica?
Miles
Every time I talk about Kelly you…
He struggles to find the words.
Miles
You get weird or something.
Erica
Yeah, it’s a last-minute thing.
Erica
Urgent business meeting.
Erica
Completely unavoidable.
I smile, trying to mask the fact that I’m lying through my teeth.
Erica
I swear I’ll make it up to you.
I don’t give him time to respond before I hang up.
I spend the next few minutes stalking Kelly on every social network platform I can find.
I learn everything about her:
Her classic hair and makeup routine…
How she poses in a way to expose maximum cleavage…
How she always throws her head back when she laughs.
So when Miles FaceTimes me for our evening call, I’m ready.
My makeup is bright and bold.
My hair is not quite a cascade…
But it’s still less frizzy than usual.
And I’m wearing the deepest V-neck shirt I could find.
Miles stares at me for such a long time…
That I think my screen is frozen.
I try to raise the pitch of my voice, but it just makes me choke.
Awkwardly, I attempt to cover it with a cough.
Miles squints at the screen.
Erica
Of course it’s me, silly!
Erica
Who else would it be?
Miles
You look…different.
Erica
Oh, I just thought I’d dress up a little for tonight.
Erica
You know, spice things up.
Miles
So how was your day?
Erica
I went out to eat with some friends.
Erica
It was great to catch up.
Miles
Cool, where did you go?
Miles
The Salad Bar?! But you hate salads!
Erica
“A healthy outside starts from the inside.”
Erica
That’s what I always say.
Miles
You’ve never said that in your life.
Miles
I’m looking for my girlfriend, Erica.
Erica
Oh, babe. You’re so funny!
I throw my head back and laugh…
And I almost fall out of my chair.
When I right myself, I see Miles frowning.
Miles
What’s going on, Erica?
Erica
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Erica
Maybe you just don’t know me that well.
Miles
You know, I really thought I did.
Miles
I’ll see you around, Erica.
I let my voice drop to its normal pitch and sit up straight.
Erica
I guess I was trying to be someone I’m not.
Miles
Kelly? Like from my job?
Miles furrows his brow adorably.
Erica
I’ve just been so worried because you’ve been spending so much time with her.
Erica
You talk about her all the time…
Erica
And you like all her photos.
Erica
I mean, she’s so cool and pretty and funny…
Miles
Look Erica, you’ve got it all wrong.
Miles
The only reason I’m spending all this time with Kelly…
Miles
Is because I’m training her.
Miles
Yes. She’s going to be taking over my position.
Miles
I was planning on surprising you with this, but…
Miles
I put in a transfer to come to New York.
Miles
And it was approved.
Miles
I start in two weeks.
At this, my lips curl into a smile.
Erica
What’s in New York?
Miles
And a certain girl who I happen to be in love with.
I feel my heart doing cartwheels and somersaults.
I let out a shaky breath.
Erica
Did you say, “in love with?”
Miles
I’m in love with a girl…
Miles
Who never has to pretend to be someone she isn’t.
