Isabella
Everything about this night made me feel like we were a couple. The cooking, the laughing, even the weird but thrilling idea of planning a vacation with him. Regardless of the lack of romance, it suddenly dawned on me that he had become one of the most important people in my life. It was so easy being around him. Normally I would be terrified at anything moving this quickly.
Even now, when we enjoyed eating in silence, Liam didn’t make it feel awkward. He never tried to just fill the room with conversation. Even though we barely knew each other, he seemed to understand me. Understand that for me, sometimes silence was a blessing.
After a few minutes, I smiled at him.
“Let’s make it a Wednesday tradition.”
“Dinner?”
I nodded.
“One we cook together. I had fun cooking with you. It doesn’t have to always be Italian. We can look for other recipes.”
Liam smiled at me.
“But it can be Italian sometimes, right?”
Laughing, I nodded. It was time to tell Liam about having to talk to my father. I mean, this was turning into a lot for a fake date. With a sigh, I looked toward him.
“So, I have to talk to you about something.”
Concern hit my new friend’s eyes, and I took a deep breath.
“My sister and cousin found out about us kissing at the ice rink.”
He looked at me in surprise but I rushed on.
“It’s fine, really. But they reminded me that it’s sort of a tradition in my culture that guys get permission to date a girl from their fathers.”
A twinkle actually came to Liam’s eye.
“So, you need me to ask your father for permission to date you?”
I blushed.
“You don’t have to feel obligated. Honestly, I didn’t really think this through. It seems like a lot to ask, considering this dating thing is fake. I want us to stay friends and now it seems awkward. What happens when this is all over?”
Liam tilted his head; I could see him thinking. I loved that he never just spoke without considering his response.
“Firstly, I have no problem speaking with your father. The last thing I want to do is offend him. Especially since we have just established that our lives are going to stay connected long after this assignment is over.”
Smiling at him, I did feel a small bit of relief. It was going to be impossible to be Liam’s friend after a fake breakup if my father never liked him in the first place.
“Secondly, and please just stay open-minded for this next statement…”
He paused for a second and waited for my head nod of agreement.
“We already plan on this whole ‘fake’ dating thing to last three months. Now maybe currently, neither of us are exactly open for a real relationship, but we have no idea if that will be the case three months from now. Maybe, just for now, we don’t focus on the end while we are still just at the beginning. Who knows, after enough kisses maybe you will fall madly in love with me after all.”
He was so freaking charming. Of course, I had to tease him back.
“Only if you fall madly in love with me as well.”
Liam rose and picked up his empty plate. As he crossed to me, he leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“It’s a deal.”
