Chapter 1After I finally met my online boyfriend IRL, I saw this post.
"If you could go back with all your memories, what would you change?"
People were commenting heavy shit. Failed marriages. Dead-end jobs. Family they'd lost.
But then there's this ONE comment that made me stop cold.
"I'd add her myself."
"Then I wouldn't end up with the wrong girl for six months because my friend screwed up."
"Now we've met. Whatever. I'll make it work."
I cursed under my breath.
What a scumbag.
I was about to scroll past.
Then I saw the profile pic. The username. Even the bio.
I knew them all.
That WAS Carter—the boyfriend I'd just met.
Everything clicked.
Why he never wanted to FaceTime.
Why he looked so damn uncomfortable when we finally met.
The love he gave me?
Yeah.
It was meant for someone else.
---
I look up.
Carter's on his phone across the room, totally going off on someone. Bet he's yelling at his friend for screwing up.
He hangs up when I sit down. Pushes the menu at me.
"Hey. You back?"
"Got you some stuff you like. Want more?"
Ugh. Classic Carter.
Even online, he'd remember my birthday every time. Holidays too—always sent something.
Found out I was skipping dinner when work got crazy?
He started sending food to my office. Every night.
Different stuff each time. On time. Stuff I actually wanted.
He knew what I liked, what I hated, when my period was coming—better than me.
My friends were like "You found a rich online guy who's obsessed with you? Lucky bitch."
But none of it was mine.
I took it from someone else.
He waves his hand in my face. Smiling.
"Hello? You okay?"
"You can stare at me later. Eat."
"Don't want you complaining about your stomach again."
My hands are in fists under the table. Nails digging into my palms.
I make myself say it.
"Look... you know you don't have to do this, right? Your friend messed up. It's fine."
His smile's gone. "How do you know?"
I can't look at him.
"That day your friend asked for my number? My coworker was right there."
"He probably mixed us up."
I pull out my phone. Show him her profile.
"Here. That's her."
"I can introduce you if you want."
"But us?" I shake my head. "We should just stop."
Carter's face gets weird. "You don't have to—"
"Yeah, I do."
I cut him off.
I'm not someone's Plan B. And when this shit comes out? I'm not taking the blame for "stealing" him.
"I won't say anything. Don't worry."
Carter just sits there. Then he goes, "I owe you. Tell me what you want."
"Anything. I'll do it."
He's staring at me like he thinks I'm gonna blackmail him or something.
I don't want anything. But I nod so he'll stop.
He relaxes. "Stay for lunch at least. I ordered already."
I pick up my bag. "Can't. Gotta get back to work."
That afternoon I'm back at my desk.
Riley looks at me like I'm crazy. "Wait. Didn't you take off to meet that guy? Why are you here?"
I took the whole day off for Carter.
Did my hair. Makeup. Everything.
All for nothing. Just wrong person bullshit.
No way I'm wasting my day off on that.
I don't say anything. She pats my shoulder.
"That's online dating. Never know what you're getting."
I smile. Don't tell her it's worse.
Few days later, Riley leans over. "You hear about Sutton?"
"She's dating some rich guy now."
"Been getting picked up in different cars all week. Total show-off mode."
My hands stop typing.
After that lunch with Carter, I went straight to Sutton.
She didn't believe me at first. But added Carter. Said she wanted to meet him first. Didn't trust the online thing.
Guess it worked out.
Chapter 2
Riley shoves my arm.
I look up. Sutton's right there. Coach bag on my desk.
"Thanks for the hookup. Carter and I wouldn't have met without you."
"This is from us."
She gives Riley a food bag.
"My boyfriend got extra. Take it."
Riley's face lights up. She kisses Sutton's cheek. "Oh my god, Sutton, I love you!"
Then she stops. Looks in the bag.
"Wait. This place doesn't deliver. Since when?"
"Linnea's boyfriend got food from here before—"
"Oh really?"
Sutton's face changes. She looks at me.
"How do you know Carter?"
The way she's staring at me makes me want to disappear.
"I just know his friend."
"He found out we work together. Asked his friend to get your number from me."
"You're hot. Of course he'd want your number."
All true. Just not the whole story.
"Oh my god, stop."
Sutton smiles. Looks happy with that answer.
She leaves.
Riley loses it.
"Your luck is INSANE."
"You get a rich guy online who's obsessed with you."
"Then you hand Sutton another one?"
"When's it my turn?"
I laugh. "That's them, not me."
"If I was good at this, I wouldn't be single right now."
"Worry about that asshole client tomorrow instead."
Riley goes quiet.
That evening the weather goes crazy. Sunny to pouring rain in like five minutes.
I'm under the awning waiting when Sutton walks up. Links her arm through mine.
"Don't take the bus. We'll give you a ride."
I'm about to say no. Carter cuts me off.
"Get in."
"This isn't stopping."
They're both pushing. If I say no again it'll be weird.
I'm reaching for the back door when Carter opens the front.
"You get carsick. Sit up here."
My hand stops.
I can feel Sutton staring at me.
I don't get carsick.
That one time I threw up in a car—I'd been working crazy hours. Skipped breakfast. Felt sick on the way to the airport.
Couldn't text Carter back.
Later he asked about it. I said I felt sick in the car.
Didn't think he'd remember. Definitely didn't think he'd think I get carsick.
I smile. "Nah, I don't get carsick."
Carter's face doesn't move. "I was talking to Sutton."
Oh my god.
I want to die.
The whole drive Sutton's watching me in the mirror.
Keeps talking about my ex. The online guy everyone at work knew about.
"Online dating's whatever. Two people just like, giving each other attention or whatever."
I'm dying. Can't sit still. Have to answer her questions.
Please just get me home.
She's about to ask more when the car stops.
"My dog's been alone all day. Gotta go walk him. Bye."
I'm out before they can say anything.
That night after my shower, Carter texts.
"Stay away from Sutton at work."
"She's too smart. She'll figure it out."
The guy who used to text me every morning and night can't even look at me now.
My chest hurts.
"Fine."
"Actually, just delete my number. Easier that way."
I delete him before he can respond.
Next morning my eyes are so swollen I look like I spent the night crying.
Riley hands me an ice pack. "Did you actually cry over that guy last night?"
"No. I just drank too much water before bed."
I put the ice pack on my face.
Don't see Sutton walk by.
Chapter 3
On the way to meet the client, Riley's losing it.
I almost laugh. "Why are you freaking out?"
"This guy's an asshole. Last time he made Lila cry. She literally hid in the bathroom."
Now I'm nervous too.
But when we get there—I know him.
Dax smiles. Holds out his hand. "Linnea. Hey."
Last time I saw Dax, he came with his dad to some meeting. Sutton and I had to sit there as interns.
That's when everything went wrong.
That's when he asked for my number.
Riley looks at both of us. Whispers, "Wait, you know him? Are we good?"
I bite my lip. "Not really. I met him once. That's it."
Dax doesn't say anything.
After the meeting, Riley goes to the bathroom.
Dax comes over.
"What was I supposed to do? He said 'the pretty one.' So I picked you."
Hard to be mad at that.
"I'm not blaming you."
Honestly, it's my fault too.
If I'd just video-called Carter back then, we wouldn't have wasted six months on the wrong people.
Dax straightens up. "Carter's a dick."
"But I can make it up to you. Since he's my friend and all."
"Don't."
I turn around. Carter's right there.
"Stay out of it."
I feel cold. Turn back to Dax. "Thanks, but I'm fine."
Sutton walks out of a room nearby.
She looks at Dax. Then at me. Smiles. "Wait, is THIS the guy? He's hot."
I panic. "No. He's a client."
Dax grins. "For now."
Carter stares at him. "He's not. Why are you saying 'for now'?"
Sutton looks uncomfortable. Grabs Carter's arm tighter. "Oh. Okay. Let's go."
"They probably want us to leave."
Carter nods. Leaves with her.
I watch them walk away. Can't help it. "I thought you two were best friends?"
"Doesn't look like it."
Dax shrugs. "We're not that close."
Silence.
Finally Riley comes back. Saves us.
Our Uber stops outside work. A black car in the corner honks.
Carter's car. Same one from when we met up.
I ignore it. Head to the building.
The horn gets louder.
"Oh shit, forgot something. Go ahead."
I wait till Riley goes inside. Then walk over to the car.
Window comes down. Carter's face is cold.
"Stay away from Dax. He's trouble."
I laugh. Everything I've been holding in just comes out.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?"
"Don't come looking for me. Not for anything."
"Unless you want people to see us together."
I turn to leave. Carter shoves the door open. Grabs my wrist.
"I'm serious."
"And unblock me."
I take a breath. "YOU said Sutton's smart."
"I'm in your phone. That's gonna blow up in your face."
He nods. "Fine."
"I'll just wait outside your office then."
"Easier. You can't avoid me that way."
"Are you CRAZY?!"
I pull my hand back. "I said we should forget it happened. You agreed."
"Then you got with Sutton."
"What's the point of this?"
"Think she'll still want you when she finds out?"
He stops. Lets go of my wrist.
"Dax sleeps around."
"I don't want you to get hurt. That's all."
"I said I'd help you with something. I don't want it to be your messy love life."
I steady my voice. "My life's none of your business."
"You wanna help? Leave me alone."
It's Friday afternoon. I leave early.
Monday morning I'm back at work.
Something's wrong.
Everyone's looking at me like I'm disgusting.
Even Riley—who never stops talking—is just sitting there. Head down. Like she wants to disappear.
I move my chair over. "What's wrong? What happened?"
She looks up. Her face looks weird.
"Linnea, honestly... I don't know how you're so calm right now."
"You've been hiding this the whole time."
"And you're still acting normal."
I freeze. About to ask what she means.
Sutton walks up.
Slaps me.
