Even though it's only Tuesday, and I  downed two coffees before leaving work, my brain checked out five minutes into my night class. I can't blame exhaustion since I've slept rather well the past two nights. But I'm beginning to think it's my lecturer's voice; it's so low and somehow soothing, like David Attenborough.

Blinking my heavy eyelids, I force myself to stare at the different types of roof rafters on the slide. My focus shifts at once as my phone vibrates in my jacket pocket. Discreetly extracting the device, I peek at the screen to see Elsie's name. The last we spoke was Sunday night when I gave her a play-by-play of my coffee catch up with Aiden and how our families now have divorce in common too. We agreed to have coffee on Thursday morning, but perhaps she needs to reschedule. After ignoring the call, I begin texting her to say I'm in class when a message floods through.

*Kyra, I desperately need your help! I'll owe you forever... please call me back as soon as you can.*

Using a family emergency as an excuse, I hightail it out of my class. Breathless from running, my hands shakily dial Elsie's number while making my way outside the campus.

"Elsie, are you OK? What's wrong?" I gasp out into the chilled night air.

"Oh, Kyra! Thank god you called. I'm such an idiot I've completely messed up."

"What happened?"

"I accidentally double-booked..." A frown quickly replaces my worried expression as she trails off.

"Double booked? What?"

"You know my dates. I have this hotty from the gym that I've been desperately ogling for forever coming over, but Jay just texted me to say he's picking me up for dinner at 7:30. I completely forgot about Jay... he wanted to take me to some fancy restaurant in Subi. Can you please go to dinner with Jay? I'll owe you forever." My fist clenches as I think about Elsie wanting to stand Jay up for a booty call. Now is not the time for my petty jealousy; I need to get my priorities straight.

"You know I just ran out of my night class for this. I thought your apartment was on fire or something." As soon as the words escape me, I feel horrible. Elsie has, after all, done a lot for me, from inviting me out to Embrz, driving me to Justin's game, and lending me clothes. She's been like the sister I've always wanted. And this is my way of repaying all the favours she's done for me.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Kyra."

"It's OK. I guess I wasn't taking in anything anyway. So, um, why not just cancel and say you're sick?"

"Well, I sent Jay a Snapchat of me earlier at the gym, so he knows I'm not sick. I'd hate to upset him, but the chemistry with this guy is off the charts. We've been flirting up a storm for months. You'll help me, right?! Please, it's dinner at a nice restaurant, and you've met Jay; he's a real gentleman." I snort at that comment—a real gentleman who touches girls' panties in public. But even as I shake my head, that kiss is imprinted into my mind's eye now. I hate how every kiss will forever be compared to our first.

"Please, Kyra. I'll owe you forever."

"Fine," I huff out. "But I'll need a change of clothes if this is a fancy restaurant."

"Of course," Elsie sounds ecstatic. "Are you in the city still? Can you come over here and get ready here."

Grumbling out my agreement, knowing I should be turning around and heading straight back to class. Instead, my feet hurriedly make their way into the central business district towards Elsie's apartment block. Eight minutes later, I'm in the foyer of her building, pressing the button for the elevator. I'm partly out of breath from power walking the entire way.

All of this feels like a terrible idea, especially when I've just come to terms with my colossal crush on Jay. In what kind of reality is pretending to be Elsie the right thing to do?

Alighting from the elevator, Elsie opens the door for me before I have a chance to knock. She looks stunning in a white lacy playsuit that leaves very little to the imagination. I gulp at the realisation that my period underwear covers more of my body. "Thank goodness you're here, Kyra."

I shrug as she steps aside to let me in. "So, where am I going?"

"I think the restaurants called Rifici's. It's Italian." Sweet baby Jesus, my one weakness is pasta. Maybe standing Jay up is the better scenario after all. He probably won't want to see Elsie after this anyway. One look at me scoffing down my weight in garlic bread and veal scallopini will have him running for the hills. This is a terrible idea.

After dressing in one of Elsie's incredible clothing choices: A slinky cream dress, she touches up my makeup, making me feel like Cleopatra with gold eyeshadow and winged eyeliner.

A barrel full of butterflies dance around my tummy as I wait for the message on Elsie's phone while she finishes getting ready. When Jay's text message comes through saying he's arrived, my heart skips a beat, and it feels like the butterflies are brandishing sticks now.

Gulping down my nerves, I shout out goodbye before leaving her phone on the coffee table. Elsie thanks me again and says goodbye as I totter out of the apartment. The elevator ride feels like an eternity, but finally, I touch down on the ground floor. The steel doors part, revealing a freakishly buff man. "Hey baby, where are you going? I was just coming up to see you."

The hulking stranger before me must be gym-rat. So, this is who Elsie thought was worth standing up Jay for? I internally scoff at the notion. Shaking my head, I step backwards as he reaches for me. "I'm not Elsie; she's upstairs."

"Oh fuck. Elsie didn't say she had a twin..." His beady eyes rake over me, making me want to shudder. "But damn, I hope you're not leaving on my account cause I'd happily have you come back up and join us."

Just what is he implying? My slow mind  eventually catches up. Oh wow. Armed with a disdainful glare, I stride right past him.

"In your dreams. I have much better things to do." I call over my shoulder, not deigning to waste a moment more on him. Wading out of the foyer, the most delicious sight welcomes me. Jay looks devilishly handsome in a black collared shirt and black jeans while leaning against a sleek silver car. Ignoring the fact he parked in a service bay, I glide over instantly, forgetting my annoyance at gym rat's rather crude suggestion.

"So gorgeous. How do you always take my breath away?" He opens the car door for me but not before surprising me with a peck on my cheek. My body heats the instant we touch, and suddenly, a kiss on the cheek isn't enough. I want and need more.

Under their own compulsion, my lips collide with his, and instantly, I'm seeing stars. The way his mouth moulds over mine and the sweet taste of him has my knees buckling. Against my better judgement, my hand fists his button-up shirt, pulling him closer. My breathing turns ragged as our tongues entwine, caressing each other. I resist the primal urge to bite his bottom lip again, knowing now what it does to him. My other hand finds its way into his hair, and I tug it gently, internally purring when he groans into my mouth. We both pull away at the same moment, breathless; he gazes into my eyes, something deep twinkles in their depths.

"Fuck." He mumbles as I release my tight grip on his shirt.

"I'm sorry about that." My hands begin smoothing out his now wrinkled shirt before he takes a step back. My hands drop numbly to my sides; I've definitely overstepped and crossed the line. This is a terrible idea.

"Never ever apologise for a kiss like that..." Jay eyes me up and down as he runs a hand through his hair. "We better get going before I march you upstairs and forget all about the dinner reservation." I smile shyly and lower myself into the car seat. Jay shuts the car door behind me and walks around the car. I ask questions about his day, but Jay seems distracted as he answers; the conversation eventually peters out into a comfortable silence. I watch the City streak by and enjoy the view of King's Park. Jay's hand reaches out and smoothes over my knee, and I feel the urge to purr in contentment for the second time tonight. Maybe pretending to be Elsie isn't so bad.

"We're here," Jay says while pulling the car into a parking bay. I nod and clutch my handbag before undoing my safety belt. Elsie wasn't lying when she said the restaurant was fine dining. I feel entirely out of my depth, but Jay's hand coaxes me forward. The hostess escorts us to an intimate table at the back of the restaurant on a raised dais. Jay immediately orders us drinks, and I internally pout at the glass of white wine he orders for me. After all, Elsie sure loves her wine.

"What do you want for starters?" I eye the extensive menu and lick my lips, wanting one of everything. "Garlic bread is a must, but how about Arancini balls as well?" Jay throws out, and I nod, reading the ingredients; mozzarella and mushroom. Yum.

"Remind me again, do you like oysters?" He cocks an eyebrow at my innocent question.

"Of course. I love all seafood."

"Great, how about we share half a dozen, as well as the arancini and garlic bread?" It's hard to rein in my excitement, oysters are so delicious, and the menu states they're locally sourced from Albany, so they must be fresh.

"Sounds excellent to me." Jay closes his menu while studying me intently. A waitress drops off our drinks, and we take the opportunity to order our entrees and mains.

Jay excuses himself to go to the toilet as I glance at my full glass of wine. This is killing me, pretending to be someone I'm not. The chemistry in the room will be the death of me. I need to cool off and reach over to Jay's unattended beer, taking a long swig of the bitter-tasting liquid. Liquid gold, if only I could have one of my own. But a request like that will blow my cover for sure.

Jay moseys back to the table after I've deposited his drink back to its rightful place and slyly begins sipping my wine. The lingering taste of beer makes it semi palatable. We easily chat about our days, and before long, we are served Entrees.

Jay's appetite is fortunately on par with mine, and we make short work of the starters. The fresh oysters are so delicious. Greedily I regret not ordering a dozen. I smack my lips and the delightful taste of the lemon and the sea while Jay eyes me. He's been studying me intently, and I'm unsure how to take his look.

"Is everything OK, Jay? You're very quiet."

"Well, there's something on my mind, actually. I've wanted to ask you this since I met you. But I want us to date... properly." Oh my God.

"I wish I could, Jay..." My face heats, and immediately I down some more wine hoping the bubbling liquid will cool me.

"What's the problem. Is there someone else?" I shake my head immediately. Hell no, there's no one else on my radar. He owns the bleeping radar.

"No, not that." I literally am someone else!

"Then what's the problem?" As much as I hate saying the words, I recite Elsie.

"Relationships seem complicated, and I like simple." Each syllable hurts me to my core.

"Then let's keep it real simple. Just you and me." He says with a dazzling smirk making it all seem so damn easy. If only things were that simple, and I was in the position to say yes.

"Jay... what's wrong with what we have?" He beams wolfishly, showing those perfect pearly whites that belong in a toothpaste commercial.

"I want more," he replies.

"I need to think..." I don't know what else to say, but I desperately need air. The room feels claustrophobic, and my cheeks are burning. "Excuse me. I need the ladies."

"Don't run away on me," Jay smirks, and I nod. No chance of escaping even if I wanted to; I'm bound to stay under the pretence of being Elsie.

Slowly gliding my way through the fancy setting, it's a struggle to keep my exterior calm when I'm falling to pieces on the inside. The man of my dreams is asking me out. Well, not me, just the person I'm pretending to be. I dial Elsie's number the second the bathroom door closes behind me and press the phone to my cheek. What the hell do I do if she doesn't answer?