The Wrong Girl He Now Craves

Three years into the Project: Dominic assignment, the Guide suddenly told me it had glitched.

It wasn't that I had the wrong target. It was that the Guide had the wrong girl.

Total system error, the voice buzzed in my head, sounding suspiciously like a tired intern. I misheard the name. The assignment was supposed to go to Hallie, not Hailey. My bad, babe.

Hallie is going to be at the reunion tomorrow. So, Hailey, you can officially clock out. Stop trying to win over Dominic. Were handing the reins over to Hallie now."

I sat in silence for a long moment, my fingers tracing the edge of my phone. "Okay," I whispered.

Actually, it was more than okay.

Dominic didnt love me anyway. This nameless, shapeless thing we hadit should have ended a long time ago.

When the Guide told me I was the wrong girl, the scarf I was knitting for Dominic was finally finished.

It was supposed to be his birthday present.

On my phone, the last message Id sent him was still sitting there, unanswered.

Hey, Dom. Guess what I got you for your birthday this year?

As usual, it had disappeared into the void. Dominic never replied to my messages right away. Not once in three years.

The Guide kept rambling in my ear:

"Ugh, what a mess. Your names are so similar, I didn't even double-check the file before I synced with you. Honestly, its lucky you haven't succeeded in the last three years. If youd actually closed the deal and then I found out it was the wrong person? Id be fired for sure.

"I mean, I should have realized it sooner. Looking at Hallies profile... shes brilliant, gorgeous, a total knockout. Theres no way she wouldn't be loved instantly..."

The voice cut off abruptly, then let out a nervous, tinny laugh.

"I didn't mean youre not those things. It's just that our 'Romantic Synergy' program is designed to pair people who already have a spark of mutual attraction. And if the person is wrong from the start..."

"I get it," I said. "You don't have to explain."

I finally understood.

Why Dominic and I could share a bed, share a life, and yet he refused to ever call me his girlfriend in public.

Why no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't bridge the distance between us.

Three years ago, I should have seen it.

Dominic had a low tolerance for anything he considered "average."

And me? I was the girl who spent a month knitting a scarf because I wasn't smart enough to give him anything else.

How could a man like him ever love someone as plain as me?

I decided to go to Dominics place to pack up my things.

Hallie would be here tomorrow. I had no intention of being the pathetic third wheel in their destined romance.

But I didn't expect Hallie to have already reached out to him.

Through the garden fence, I saw Dominic sitting on his balcony. He was painting, his phone on speakerphone next to him.

Hallies bright, melodic voice drifted through the air.

"So, are you excited to see me tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Dominic drawled, his voice low and rich. "It's been a while, old friend. I'm looking forward to it."

"Just 'looking forward to it'? Hmph. And here I was, thinking I was special. I even prepared a birthday gift for you. Don't you want to know what it is?"

"What?"

"Ta-da! Its a high-level cryptographic puzzle. If you can solve it, Ill tell you a secret. Consider it your pre-birthday challenge, Mr. Genius. Solve it by the reunion tomorrow, or the offer expires."

I heard Dominic let out a soft, genuine laugh.

He set down his brush and picked up the phone.

"Now that," he said, "is interesting."

Dominic never picked up the phone when he was painting for me.

I had expected this, but seeing it still made my eyes sting.

I turned to leave, but my phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was Dominic. He had finally, dismissively, replied to my text.

Just two words:

How boring.

I was a boring person. That was the truth. The only gift I could think of was a scarfclich, uninspired, and common.

In Dominics words, I was "high on effort, low on intellect."

I couldn't design a cryptographic puzzle to challenge his mind. I probably couldn't even solve the first line of Hallies.

I couldn't bring myself to go inside and get my stuff today. I just walked home alone.

Id had a crush on Dominic since high school.

Back then, I was just one of the dozen girls orbiting his sun. We lived in the same neighborhood, but in the shadow of his brilliance, I was invisible.

The only reason he even knew my name was because I was the "useful" neighbor who would deliver love letters to him from other girls.

Every time he took a letter from me, hed smirk and say, "Still running errands for everyone? Youre such a pushover, Hailey."

A pushover. That was his permanent label for me.

He never knew that the only reason I ran those errands was to have an excuse to stand in his driveway for thirty seconds.

I never thought my crush would ever see the light of day until that first summer of college when the "Guide" found me.

It told me it was a "Compatibility Catalyst," designed to push two people who already liked each other over the finish line. The goal was a public commitment.

"This program is about making the world better through love," it had said. "And the rewards for success are life-changing..."

I hadn't heard the rest. I only heard four words: People who already liked each other.

So, Dominic liked me? Even just a little?

I had never felt such a surge of hope. When I heard hed been injured playing soccer, I gathered my courage and knocked on his door.

"You're here to take care of me?" hed asked, leaning against the doorframe, looking down at me with those heavy-lidded, mocking eyes. "What's the catch? What do you want?"

I looked up at him, unable to lie.

"You," I whispered. "I want you."

He laughed, a sharp, sudden sound.

"Youre ridiculous."

But he opened the door.

That summer was long. I ran to his house every single day in the sweltering heat.

One afternoon, the AC broke. His leg was in a cast, so I climbed the ladder to check the unit while he held the base.

I lost my footing and fell straight into his arms. We rolled onto the hardwood floor together.

It was summer. We were wearing next to nothing.

I felt his heart hammering against mine, felt the sudden shift in the air. I tried to push away, my face flaming, but he grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head.

"I thought you wanted me?" he teased, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Don't lose your nerve now."

His face was inches from mine.

"You want it? Fine. Let's see if you can handle it."

We "saw if I could handle it" for three years.

But after three years, we still weren't "us."

Every time I asked for a label, for a commitment, he had an answer ready.

"Does a label really matter? You wanted me, you have me. Isn't that enough?"

My brain wasn't as fast as his. I couldn't untangle the logic.

"But I want to be your girlfriend."

"Im not looking for something restrictive right now," hed say. "Is a title really that important to you? You want to pick a fight over a word?"

It was important.

I wanted to say that. But I could never win an argument with him, so I always ended up feeling like I was making a big deal out of nothing.

Over time, I brainwashed myself.

He loves me, I told myself. The Guide said so. He just hates being tied down. Eventually, well get there.

But now, the Guide was telling me the whole foundation was a lie.

I got home and sat in the dark for hours.

Finally, I picked up my phone and sent Dominic one last message.

Even if he didn't care, I needed to close the book.

Were done, Dominic. Let's call it here.

I showed up early to the reunion the next day.

Dominic wasn't there yet, but Hallie was.

As the former class president, she was the center of the universe, holding court at the main table.

"Oh look, Shadow is here!"

In high school, when people have similar names, they usually find a way to differentiate them.

Hallie and I were no exception.

But it wasn't "Big Hallie" and "Little Hailey."

She was "Hallie."

I was "Shadow." Or "The Other One." Or "Specs" back when I wore glasses.

In a room with her, I didn't have a name.

Hallie looked over at me, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

"Oh, stop calling her that, guys. She doesn't even wear glasses anymore. Don't be mean," she chirped.

But she was the one who had coined the nickname in tenth grade because she "couldn't keep us straight."

"Actually, Hailey looks great without the frames," one of the guys noted.

"Yeah, our little Shadow grew up to be a beauty."

"Hailey, you got a boyfriend"

"Leo, Sean, didn't you guys want to ask me about the grad program at Columbia?" Hallie interrupted smoothly. "I should fill you in before the party really starts."

"Oh, right! Hey, Shadow, come sit with us!" one of the guys called out.

"I'm good"

"Sorry I'm late."

The cold, familiar voice behind me made my breath catch.

"There he is! The man of the hour!"

"Dominic! Get over here!"

The crowd swarmed him. I took a quiet step to the side.

"Dominic, sit here," Hallie said, patting the empty chair she'd reserved next to her.

Dominics gaze flickered over the room, landing on me for a fraction of a second.

"Whats everyone talking about?"

"Nothing much. Just how Shadow here got a glow-up!" a guy said, pointing at me.

"Oh?"

Dominic tossed his bag onto the chair next to me, his eyes raking over me.

I didn't look at him.

The moment he moved to sit down, I grabbed my purse and walked to the furthest table in the corner of the room.

Dominics eyebrows shot up. He didn't look angryjust surprised.

As soon as he sat down, I heard him speak.

"Her?"

He let out a short, mocking laugh, looking at the guy who had complimented me.

"When exactly did you lose your eyesight, Sean?"

The table erupted in laughter.

Because Dominic was at the "cool" table, everyone started dragging their chairs over there. My table, at the far end of the hall, was barely half-full.

"Unbelievable," a girl named Sophie muttered next to me. "Its been years since graduation and theyre still acting like theyre the royal court. Those 'honor students' are so cliquey. Its pathetic."

"Well, we were the 'slackers,' remember? We don't belong in their orbit," another guy added. "I heard one of them even sponsored this whole event anonymously. Were just here for the free drinks."

"Who says the slackers didn't make it? Look at Nate. His tech startup case study won national awards sophomore year. He had his own company before he even graduated. Hes doing better than any of those bookworms. Right, Nate?"

I finally looked at the man sitting directly to my right.

"WaitNate? Nate Miller?" I blinked. "You lost so much weight!"

If I was the "Shadow" of the class, Nate had been the "Big Guy." Hed been the quiet, nerdy kid everyone ignored.

He gave me a shy, dimpled smile. "Yeah. Spent the summer after senior year in the gym."

He wasn't just thinner. He was handsome. He had a grounded, mature energy that the guys at the other table lacked.

He raised his glass to our table. "We might not have been the valedictorians, but everyone at this table has something unique to offer. Lets not sell ourselves short. Lunch is on the 'elite,' but after this, Im taking us all out for drinks and dessert at the rooftop bar downtown. My treat."

"Yes! Nate for President!" our table cheered.

The mood shifted instantly. I found myself smiling, actually relaxing for the first time all day.

Suddenly, a piece of perfectly seared salmon landed on my plate.

I turned. Nate was clearing his throat. "I remembered you used to always wait in the long line for the salmon on Fridays in the cafeteria."

I stared at him, stunned. "You remember that?"

He looked a bit embarrassed. "Well, I was usually right behind you in line."

He shifted in his seat. "I heard your company is doing some interesting stuff. But honestly, Im building some AI robotics right now. Its pretty cool. You should come by the lab sometime."

I perked up. "Robotics? Like the ones that can do the viral K-pop dances?"

Nate froze for a second, then grinned. "If you want to see them dance, I can make them dance."

"Really? When can I come see?"

"Hailey! Hey! Specs!"

I stiffened. It was the "royal" table calling for me.

"The genius here won't spill, but youre his neighbor. Youve gotta know."

Know what?

"Does Dominic have a girlfriend or what?!"

Dominic didn't even look up. He was leaning in close to Hallie, whispering something that made her giggle incessantly.

"I wouldn't know," I said, my voice coming out flat and calm. "We aren't that close."

Dominics head snapped up. His dark eyes locked onto mine, burning with a sudden, sharp intensity.

I looked away, turning back to Nate.

We were laughing at something Nate said when I accidentally bit into a piece of spicy pepper. I started coughing instantly.

"You okay?" Nate immediately handed me his water.

"Fine, fine," I wheezed, my face turning red. I stood up. "I just need to run to the restroom."

I was washing my face in the restroom, trying to get the heat to die down, when I stepped out into the empty hallway.

Suddenly, a hand shot out, grabbed my arm, and yanked me into an empty coatroom.

"You want to tell me again how we 'aren't that close'?"

Dominics hand gripped my chin, tilting my face up. He leaned down, biting my lower lip hard enough to make me wince.

"You aren't close to me? Then who are you close to? Nate Miller? Does he know exactly how you like to be touched when you're overwhelmed? Does he know how your hands shake when I kiss you right here?"

I snapped out of the shock and shoved him back with everything I had.

"What is wrong with you?"

He wasn't expecting the force. He stumbled back a few steps, his expression darkening.

"I should be asking you that, Hailey. What kind of game have you been playing since yesterday?"

I wiped my mouth, glaring at him. "Its not a game. Its exactly what I said in the text. Were done."

"Hah." He let out a dry laugh.

He reached into his pocket and tossed a bottle of cold yogurt at me. I caught it reflexively.

"I saw you coughing and went to the bar to get you this like a damn idiot, and this is how you treat me?"

He stepped closer, his voice dropping.

"Youre throwing a tantrum. I get it. Youre trying to move the goalposts by ignoring me and flirting with Nate. Is this about the girlfriend thing? You really want me to claim you in front of everyone that badly? Youre that vain?"

I stared at him, genuinely baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"Isn't it obvious? Yesterday you 'break up' with me, today you act like Im a stranger. Youre trying to force my hand. You want the title."

Suddenly, I felt a profound sense of exhaustion.

"And if I was? If everything was exactly as you thought, and I spent three years 'calculating' just to get a title... would you give it to me?"

He went silent.

"Does it really matter that much to you?" he asked finally.

I laughed. It was a small, bitter sound.

I threw the yogurt back at his chest.

"So that's it? You think I should just be grateful? Grateful that I got to sleep with the great Dominic? Grateful that I got to fulfill my pathetic high school crush?

"Dominic, what have I been to you for three years? You knew I loved you, so you handed out crumbs of affection like charity. You watched me beg for a scrap of commitment from your pedestal. Did that make you feel powerful?"

He frowned. "What are you talking about? We had an arrangement. You wanted me, I wanted you. It was mutual. Don't act like a victim now. I told you from day oneI don't do strings. And youre the one who knocked on my door, remember?"

"I remember. And I'm the one closing it now. Its that simple."

I turned to walk away.

He grabbed my arm again. "You're serious? Over a label?"

"Are you deaf?" I shoved his hand off.

"Fine."

He let go, his face a mask of cold fury.

"Fine. Were done. But Hailey, Im not a revolving door. You don't get to come and go when you feel like it. You chose this. Don't come crying back when you realize Nate Miller isn't me."

"I won't," I said.

Our beginning was a mistake. Our end was overdue.

I walked away.

Thwack.

Behind me, I heard the sound of the yogurt bottle hitting the bottom of the trash can.