Page 38 of Frosted Fakes

"But pretty."

Elliott sighed. "Yes, fine. She's pretty. Happy?"

"Ecstatic." Shay's smile was pure mischief. "Pretty and nice and you're living together. This is perfect."

Elliott rolled her eyes. "Can we talk about something else? Like your dating disasters maybe?"

"Oh God." Shay's face lit up with the particular glow of someone about to recount a spectacular mess. "Right. So. Remember how I met three perfect people?"

"Vaguely."

"Well, I've been seeing all three of them. Separately, obviously. Different nights, different venues. Very organized."

Elliott raised an eyebrow. "That seems sustainable."

"Hey, at least I’m happy, and that’s what counts in the end, isn’t it?"

Was it? Elliott wasn’t so sure about that.

"So what happens when you’re done fake dating then?" Shay asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Then we go back to being flatmates. Or Julia finds somewhere else. Or she fails and leaves town." Elliott tried not to think about how empty the flat would feel without Julia's clumsy presence. "It's temporary."

"Mmm." Shay looked unconvinced. "And you're fine with that? With her leaving?"

Elliott stood abruptly. "Another drink?"

"Running away won't change the truth."

"I'm going to the bar. Not running anywhere."

But as Elliott waited to be served, she found herself wondering what Julia was doing. Whether she'd eaten dinner. Whether she was watching her medical programs, eyes bright with interest as some doctor explained emergency procedures.

Not her business, Elliott reminded herself firmly. Julia could do whatever she wanted.

✽✽✽

"Mushroom risotto," Jamie said, handing Julia a plate and sliding into the booth opposite her. "On the house. You look like you need carbs."

"I always need carbs." Julia picked up her fork gratefully. "And you're a saint. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He dug into his own plate. "Right. Social media. Let's sort out this disaster."

They spent half an hour discussing strategies, and in the end, Jamie just told her to take more pictures.

"People want to see what they’re going to get. And Elliott's pastries are gorgeous. Photograph them. Post them. Add a caption. Done."

Julia thought about Elliott's creations. The perfect layers of croissants. The glossy shine on her fruit tarts. The way her choux pastry looked like something from a magazine. "They are beautiful. She's really talented."

"Agreed," said Jamie.

Julia took a bite of risotto. It was perfect, creamy and rich. "She's been incredible. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without her. The bakery would fail in about three seconds."

"Probably," Jamie said. "You're good at different things, though. Front of house. Customer service. The business side."

"That's generous."

"It's true. I've seen you with customers. You remember everyone's names, their orders, their kids' birthdays. That matters." He looked up. "Plus, Elliott would scare half the customers away if she had to work front of house. She's got the warmth of a hostile cactus."