Chapter 22: Champagne

Another server arrived, bringing their pizzas. After chatting with him politely, Emily tried to take a bite of the steaming melted cheese, but she did not let the delicate flavors distract her too much.

"You wanted to make it up to me... What do you have in mind?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," Byron said, "I'd like to show you something. We can go there after lunch, if you're not busy."

"I'm not busy at all," she said.

Fortunately she didn't have to teach any classes this day, and it would have been otherwise another boring, rainy afternoon. But as they left the restaurant the rain cleared up, and a shy ray of sunshine peeked through the low, grey blanket of clouds.

They walked along the busy downtown street, and Emily couldn't help noticing all the women checking out her fake boyfriend. It provided a certain superficial enjoyment, even if it wasn't a real relationship. In a way, she liked being friends with him better than a love relationship. Friendship had a certain stabilit