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Psychic Poet's avatar

Also "Legal Seafoods" implies the existence of "Illegal Seafoods" and I love that haha

Brok3n Engines's avatar

Legal Seafoods is real. It’s a seafood restaurant chain in the Boston area. I think the one near MIT was the original, though.

Psychic Poet's avatar

This was a fun read and I liked the ending :) I like how the main character's happy ending isn't about finding a partner but instead about learning how to connect with people in a platonic way. I've never really heard of a "fake dating" story that ended like this one before, which is cool because it makes your story original!

Brok3n Engines's avatar

Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Yeah, usually in fake dating stories the protagonists fall in love, yada, yada, yada, HEA.

xtrole's avatar

Excellent storytelling! 💯

And I’m glad that they became friends and that their friendship continued over the years! 🙏

xtrole's avatar

Love it! 💯

I’ll probably read it sometime within the next day or so! :D

Maria Grace's avatar

What I loved most about this story was the friendship. So many stories push every meaningful connection between a man and a woman toward romance, but this one allowed something different to exist. Akela and Ruth became safe places for each other without needing to become everything to each other. Their relationship felt honest, healthy, and surprisingly rare. By the end, I realized Atlantis was never really a place. It was the experience of being fully accepted by another person. Really loved this one, the writing is incredible. I am definitely subbing so I can read more of your work! I'm a fan!

Brok3n Engines's avatar

Thank you. I’m so glad you liked it.

This one was a lot of fun to write.

Maria Grace's avatar

I can tell! You did great!

Moose's avatar

I enjoyed the opening dialogue. A good rhythm 🥁