Hard to Pretend by Essie Sloane

Chris
My friends always had the best intentions when they offered me set ups and blind dates, but I was tired of it. So tired of it that I decided to lie and say I was seeing someone. Fate stepped in, and a guy I hooked up months ago walked through the door at exactly the right moment.
It was only supposed to be for a few minutes, but then my friends invited me and my boyfriend to a party.
I should have said no, but I didn’t.

Seb
I should have said no, but memories of that one night with Chris clouded my judgement. I’d meant to call him, after all. It seemed like fate was stepping in, even if it was just for a few minutes. At least I’d have his number again.
And then one thing led to another, and suddenly, my mom was hearing about my new boyfriend.
I should have said no when she invited us over to dinner, but I didn’t.
And now, the lines between fiction and reality are starting to blur.