I turned my attention to the website. I'd been meaning to check it out for a while, especially after I'd been hired. I read through the FAQ page and noticed they offered a free two-week trial. I bit my bottom lip as Carly's words floated through my mind not to do anything stupid. I looked over at the magazine sitting beside me, staring at his handle.Could it really be his?
Two weeks, that would be all I would need to find out if it was really him, I thought to myself. I could sign up, contact him, and I wouldn't mention a single word to Carly about it. It would be my secret.
I clicked on "signup" and began setting up my profile, quickly creating a username, and hit next. My stomach sank when the next screen loaded. They wanted credit card information.
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. I nervously tapped my finger on the mouse, trying to decide what I should do. Then I closed the laptop, there was no way I could give my credit card information to the company. What if Spencer had access to that information.
I got up off my chair and ran my fingers through my hair, feeling completely unsettled. I flipped my stereo on, one of my favorite songs blaring through the speakers, then turned around to see the magazine open to the advertisement. I pulled it closer, studying the handle once again, then looked to my laptop. I blew out a frustrated sigh and then grabbed my purse. "What could it hurt? I'll just make sure I cancel before the free trial period is over," I mumbled, curiosity getting the best of me.
I sat back down at my desk and opened my laptop again and typed in my credit card details. A few more clicks and I was in, staring at a bunch of questions that needed to be answered before they would let me start searching. I used most of my real facts that way I wouldn’t have to remember any lies, and forty-five minutes later, BabyGirl89 had been born.
I hit search and typed in RomanticAlpha42, and within seconds, I was faced with a picture-less profile. My stomach churned with excitement that I could barely contain, as I read over the profile, which barely contained anything that would lead me to believe this was Spencer.
I hovered my mouse over the contact button, my stomach flopping with nerves. What if it wasn't him? My hand shook at the thought. I sat there staring at the screen, almost sure I was going to be sick. I grabbed my phone and dialed Carly.
"Let me guess, you've changed your mind and you aren't coming with us after all."
"No, I’ll be there. But you won't believe this, but it was real."
"What was real? Ainsley, what are you talking about?"
"RomanticAlpha42."
"Ainsley!"
"What?"
"Tell me you didn't sign up. Tell me you didn't send a message to that profile."
I was quiet as I listened to my friend panic on the other end of the phone. “Ainsley, please tell me you didn’t.”
"I haven't messaged it. Not yet anyways. But I did create myself a profile," I said as I hit the connect button below RomanticAlpha's name and began typing.
"Oh, Ainsley, do not message that profile. It could be anybody. Besides, you need to get ready for dinner. I'll be picking you up in an hour."
"Too late!"
"Too late? What do you mean too late?"
"I just sent my first connection email!" I giggled into the phone.
“What???” Girl, you are impossible, and you are going to get yourself into trouble."
"I know and I know, but that is why you love me."
I grabbed my purse and followed Carly out to the car. Tonight, had been fun, until Craig had shown up. He'd slid into the booth beside me and hadn't let me move. The only reprieve I'd gotten was when he had headed to the men’s room.
"I can take Ainsley home if you like, Carly," Craig called, as he and Jon hurried to catch up to us.
"It's okay, Carly has to get something from my house that she forgot the other day," I lied.
"Oh, what did I forget?" Carly said, looking at me with confusion.
All three of them looked at me as I struggled to come up with something that Carly had forgotten. "You know...that thing," I bit out, meeting her eyes.
"Ainsley, I’m sure I haven't forgotten anything."
"Yes, you did. Remember, I told you earlier," I said, grabbing her arm and whispering in her ear to just go along with it.