“Well, we certainly can’t have that.”
As I drove her home, I thought about how different Isabella was from everyone else I knew. Even if nothing romantic ever happened with her, I was still thankful to have met her. She was quickly on her way to becoming my dearest friend, and that was more than I deserved.
The cost of making a new friend: the potential for anything more.
Chapter 8
Week1–Saturday
Liam
I was a nervous wreck. It was unlike me. Well, the old me. The new me, however, was apparently much less calm. As we got out of the car, I looked over at Isabella. She looked lovely. Really. I wish I was attracted to her. It was annoying that other guys started checking her out while we crossed the parking lot. They didn’t know I wasn’t really Isabella’s guy.
We were holding hands, but before I could open the door, she pulled me to the side. She forced me to look at her, and I knew she could see how frazzled I was.
Touching my cheek, she whispered, “This is going to be fine. I promise. I’m going to be the best fake date you ever had.”
I laughed, but only for a second. The truth was, I wasn’t worried about us playing the part of a new couple. I was worried about what Cassidy would do. Although I hoped she would back down, she could also turn more psycho. Isabella released my hands and wrapped her arms around my neck. Instinctively, I found my own hands settle on her hips.
“You may not know me well right now, but outside of the whole Marco situation, I’m not fragile. If she decides to come at me, I can handle it. She can’t hurt me. I have your back. I’ll always have your back, Liam.”
This time my smile was genuine. Maybe Isabella was right. Even if Cassidy started something, I think my fake girlfriend could handle it. I hoped so because after what happened last year, I was not going to put Isabella in a situation she couldn’t deal with.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Isabella smiled.
“The only way I will get hurt is if you let me fall on that stupid ice. So, if you are worried about me getting hurt, you really only need to make sure you catch me.Capisce?”
I laughed.
“Prometto.”
“Look at you with the Italian words.”
“I might have Googled a few things. You do know what Google is, right?”
Isabella rolled her eyes, and we finally entered the rink. The two of us made it through skate rental and were just about ready to hit the ice when I saw my date’s face fall.
“She’s here.”
I didn’t turn around; it would be way too obvious. But it turned out I didn’t need to because Isabella was already filling me in on details. She was with Hilary; they didn’t look like they were with any guys, and she wasn’t headed our way. Yet.
“We better get skating. It’s harder to trap a moving target.”
Isabella laughed. I watched her tentatively step onto the ice. It only took about ten seconds before she nearly fell. I caught her, though. If nothing else, I was going to keep that promise to her. After a few minutes, she got the hang of it, and I relaxed slightly. It didn’t take long for me to feel Cassidy’s eyes watching me. Isabella must have noticed it as well and tried to distract me.
“So, is this where you would have taken me if we were on a real first date?”
I looked at her, surprised, but shook my head. We were holding hands now as we skated, more to make sure she didn’t fall than anything, but it was different. Cassidy never let me hold her hand at the ice rink. She used to say I slowed her down.
“Definitely not.”
She glanced sideways at me. I hated not being able to see her eyes so I turned around and started skating backwards. Now I could hold both her hands and see her face. Which was smiling, even though I knew she hated skating.
“I would have actually planned something you might enjoy.”
Isabella laughed.
