Call It What You Want

Chapter Thirty-Four: Sparks Fly

"I will, thanks." Sydney now turned to Neel. "And how did you two meet?"

Laavanya held back her smile. Sydney already knew they were friends with benefits but after Julie's little attempt at making Sydney blush, she was ready to take her harmless revenge as well.

"We crossed paths at a small reunion party," Neel said. "I was so pleased to meet her again, I just had to take her out on a date."

"Oh, Neel—" Julie pressed a smile and jabbed his arm. "He was so nervous about asking me out. He almost choked when I said yes. After all, how could anyone say no to this handsome face." She jabbed his arm again and Neel tried to hide his scowl.

Everyone knew those two were lying except for Ryker and Callahan—who nodded at them and ate their food.

"Shall I serve the main course?" Laavanya asked.

"I'll join you!" Sydney said.

"Me too." Julie stood up from her chair too and the ladies walked into the kitchen together. Sydney innocently took a bowl in her hand and was walking towards the dining table when Julie grabbed Sydney's arm. "Callahan Sinclair? Are you kidding me? Why didn't you tell us?"

Sydney bit her lips. "It happened so fast and—"

"Wait a minute." Laavanya furrowed her eyebrows. "Your show was just before yesterday. You met him, went on a date and invited him to dinner in a span of three days?"

Sydney stared at the bowl in her hands. "Y-yes."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She repeated, "Yeah. Sparks fly."

"If you say so..." Julie shrugged and carried one of the containers to the living room. Laavanya gave her a suspicious look but didn't say a word. They had become friends just a couple of weeks ago, Sydney was under no obligation to tell them the truth.

But Laavanya had really thought she could have a big female gang.

***

Dinner was over but upon Ryker's suggestion, they had decided to have a couple of drinks. The men were standing in the balcony talking about work and politics while the women were leaning in the kitchen—their topics were lighter, mostly small talk and new trends. Despite the earlier events, there wasn't any tension between them.

"I wish Paris could come too." Julie sat on the counter and sipped her red wine. Sydney and Laavanya were leaning against the oven—facing Julie. They nodded at her comment. "Oh, the good news is—I think I will submit my first draft by next weekend. We should go celebrate."

"Don't you have to arrange Savannah's bachelorette?"

"Shit, yes. I am trying to brainstorm ideas but between writing my book and social media marketing, I am barely getting any time. Any suggestion? Yes to strippers, by the way. Both Jake and her want to go all out."

"My friend had her bachelorette on a private cruise. What is your budget?" Sydney asked.

"My family owns a ship so I guess that can happen. All I have to do is hire a stripper, get food and invite her friends. Can you two come as well?"

"I appreciate the offer but I don't know your cousin so I am out."

"And I finally have a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Z. I am going to find out who the mystery celebrity I am working for is. But..." Laavanya raised her wine glass. "I can help you with decorating the boat, if you want."

"Me too!"

"That would be great. I could buy her a wedding present with the money instead."

"Sounds perfect. Do you want to join the men? The view from the balcony is great," Laavanya suggested. Julie nodded and got down the counter. They turned to leave the kitchen when Sydney spoke up.

"I am not actually dating Callahan."

Both Julie and Laavanya turned her in slow-motion—their eyes widened.

"What?" They said in unison.

"We are fake-dating," Sydney said.

"What?" They repeated.

She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and rested her wineglass aside. "We didn't meet on Friday. He found me in between my anxiety attack after I quit Iris. He calmed me down and then he was at my gig on Friday and we got to talking and stuff—he needed a date for an event and I wanted one for today. It is a one-time thing."

"You convinced the Callahan Sinclair to come as a date for my dinner." Laavanya was amazed. "That's quite a feat of achievement, Syd. Now give us details."

"Well..."