Single And In Love With My Fake Boyfriend (Single Girls Club #1)

Chapter Four

Callie

I sweep into the office the next day, balancing my coffee in one hand and a donut in the other. I didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast this morning because I was up all night tossing and turning about Spencer and my broken heart. I wanted to finish my food before I entered the office, but I was running late. Becca hasn’t necessarily banned eating in here, but everyone knows it irritates her.

I quickly drop down at my desk and shove half of the donut into my mouth, while carefully placing my hot coffee on my desk.

Too bad I had to come in to work. I wish I could be home right now, kicking my feet up and eating ice cream while watching a romance movie as I contemplate life. Maybe a romance movie wouldn’t be the best choice given what happened last night, but at least it would distract me from my problems.

Banging my head on my desk, I close my eyes and sigh deeply. It’s weird that just twenty-four hours ago, I had a boyfriend and now I don’t. But now that I know what a cheating slimeball he is, I should be glad he broke up with me. Too bad I didn’t break up with him first.

“Rough morning?” a voice asks.

Lifting my head, I find Julia, who sits at the desk next to mine, smiling warmly. Julia’s in her thirties and has been working at The Spring Falls Press for many years and she’s kind of my idol. I read every single one of her articles when I was younger and dreamed of being just like her when I grew up.

I let out another heavy sigh, then take a sip from my coffee. It should taste good, but maybe my taste buds are heartbroken, too. “Yeah.”

She lowers herself on her chair. “Want to talk about it?”

I spend a few minutes telling her what happened last night, ending with my finding out he was cheating on me.

She scowls. “Wow. What a jerk.” She reaches to pat my arm. “Are you okay? Dumb question, of course you’re not.”

I smile, even though I’m feeling so crappy. “I guess I need to look at the bright side. He did me a favor by breaking up with me. Can you imagine me marrying him while he had another woman on the side?” I bang my head on the desk again. “Why didn’t I notice that something was off with him? I mean, he canceled our dates a lot because he was with her .” I shake my head. “Why do men suck?”

“Oh, sweetie. All men don’t suck. You just have to look for the right one.”

“You’re lucky,” I mutter. “You married a good guy.” They met at college and it was love at first sight.

She’s about to say something, but heels clack on the floor before our editor-in-chief, Becca, stands before my desk. “I need to see you in my office, Callie, in five minutes.” Turning around, she walks off.

Becca is tough because she’s worked her butt off for many years making the paper what it is today. While we’re not huge, we have quite a following. And we grow with each passing day.

“Uh oh,” I say as I turn to Julia. “Am I in trouble?” Becca hardly ever calls me to her office. This feels like high school, where I’m being sent to the principal.

Julia waves her hand. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

I finish my coffee, toss it in the bin, fix my outfit to make sure I look presentable, then face Julia. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck!”

It feels like I’m walking the plank as I make my way to her office. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe because I’ve been having a crappy couple of days?

Becca’s tapping at her computer when I enter her office. She doesn’t glance at me, just gestures for me to take a seat. I drop down on the chair before her desk, clasping my hands on my lap. I hope she doesn’t fire me. That would totally be the icing on the cake of the storm that is my life.

I wait patiently as she finishes up whatever she’s doing. Once she’s done, she finally glances at me, gray hair bouncing as she lifts her head. “I have an assignment for you.”

“But I’m working on two articles right now.”

“Put those aside and focus on this one. It’s more pressing.”

I nod. “What is it?”

She leans back in her seat. “I’m sure you’re aware of the article in Celebrity Vibe that named Lincoln Walker the most eligible bachelor of the year?”

“Of course.” You’d have to live under a rock not to hear the news.

“Lincoln is from Spring Falls. He grew up here, went to school here, was even featured in our paper as an up-and-coming football star when he was in high school. We’re so proud of him.”

I nod again. I remember reading that article. Lincoln was only a freshman, but everyone knew he’d grow up to do great things. And so far, he has. Playing college football before making the NFL, as well as taking part in events to give back to the community, especially kids’ events. Is it a wonder he’s so loved?

“We’d like to feature him in The Spring Falls Press ,” Becca continues. “We’ll dedicate an entire issue to our pride and joy, Lincoln Walker. And I want you to interview him.”

My eyes widen. “Me? Are you sure? Shouldn’t someone with more experience do it?”

“You’re young with a fresh voice. And you kids went to school together, so you should be comfortable with one another. I want you to dig deep, give the readers a view of the real Lincoln Walker. He’s very private and readers are dying to know who he is on a deeper level. He’s more than just a gorgeous quarterback. More than just the most eligible bachelor of the year. Who is Lincoln Walker?”

I swallow. The thought of talking to such royalty makes me feel lightheaded. Lincoln and I didn’t exchange a single word in high school, except for maybe an “excuse me” or something. Like I said, the guy didn’t know I existed.

She bends close. “This is very important to the paper, Callie. Not only will we show him how proud we are of him, but an interview with the most eligible bachelor is a goldmine. Imagine the attention he’ll bring us. The readers.”

I bob my head as her words enter my brain. “Are you sure you don’t want someone with more experience? Maybe Julia or Hector or Phoebe would be a better choice.” They’ve been working at the paper for many years, unlike me who’s only been here for a few months.

“Callie, you’re a very talented journalist and have a bright future ahead of you. But you won’t get far if you only write articles on books and movies. This is a great opportunity for you. Since you started working here, you’ve written decent articles. Do you want to be decent or do you want to be spectacular?”

I bite my lip. “But this is Lincoln Walker.”

She smiles. “I have faith that you’ll do a great job. I’d like a list of questions you’ll ask him.”

“Okay.”

She reaches for a piece of paper with something scribbled down. “This is his manager’s number. Give him a call and schedule an interview.”

My thoughts are a jumbled mess as I take the paper from her. Somehow, I’m able to stand and head for the door.

“Callie?”

I turn around.

“I don’t want to repeat how important this is for The Spring Falls Press .”

I nod, my stomach somersaulting over itself. I end up back at my desk and drop down with a thud. Me interview Lincoln Walker? Could my life get any weirder? I mean, I’ve interviewed people before, but it’s different with Lincoln. I was obsessed with him in high school. Not in a stalker way, of course. But I dreamed that we’d talk. And now we will.

I can’t forget that he didn’t remember me last night at Spring Falls Gardens. How awkward will it be to see him again? To talk to him?

“How did it go?” Julia asks.

I cover my face with my hands, wanting to scream, but of course I don’t. Lowering my hands, I tell her about my new assignment.

Her eyes widen. “Wait a minute. Becca wants you to interview Lincoln Walker?”

I nod. “She wants me to dig deep and get to know the shy, mysterious, sexy quarterback. She thinks readers will eat it up.” I cover my face again. “This is so mortifying.”

“Why?”

“Because we went to high school together and he didn’t know I existed. I was like wallpaper to him.”

She pats my arm. “You’ll do great. Just take a deep breath. He’s a famous football star, but he’s still a person, just like you and me. Talk to him as though he’s a person, not a celebrity.”

Yeah, except that’s not so easy when my fifteen-year-old self is freaking out that I’ll be alone with Lincoln, talking to him.

“Want my help with the interview questions?” Julia asks.

“If you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. My research for my next article can wait until later.”

“Thanks.”

As we work together, I can’t help feeling a little nervous and insecure, but I tell myself I’m a professional. And a professional gets the work done, even if she still might possibly harbor a crush on the person she’s interviewing.