After the waiter walks away, Caleb goes on. “Since we can get away with saying this thing is pretty new, we don’t have to get too crazy. What do you think? I don’t want you to regret this.”
I don’t want any rules, but that’s weird. “We’re friends,” I say. “I think if we only do coupley stuff when people are watching, that’s a good enough rule for me.” I shrug, like all of this is no bigdeal. Like I pretend to be a fake girlfriend for handsome guys all the time.
“And kissing?” he asks, tilting his head at me. He has a sort of playful expression on his face. Could he be flirting with me?
My cheeks are on fire, and I can only hope my blush isn’t too obvious in the low lighting of the restaurant. “There probably won’t be a reason to kiss, right?” I say, going for casual. “But let’s leave it as an option, just in case.” Caleb’s eyes widen, and I hurry on. “I mean, we should ask permission first, of course. Right?”
“Yeah.” He lets out a breath. “And you’re probably right. Knowing my mom, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for her to insist we prove we’re dating or something.”
I force a laugh. “Exactly.”
The waiter comes with our desserts, giving me a moment to compose myself. I also take the opportunity to dig right into my ice cream sandwich, which is a good decision. The cookies are perfectly soft and taste like they came from my grandma’s kitchen. I can’t help the quiet “mmmm” that escapes.
“I know,” Caleb replies. He’s already taken a bite of his pie as well. “This place is amazing. Have you been here before?”
I cover my mouth and laugh. “Regularly. It’s a favorite.”
“I can see why.” Then he studies me with a serious look. “Are you the type to share food?” he asks.
“As long as it’s reciprocal. And I’ve ordered enough.” I smile at him.
“Good answer.” He picks up his knife and cuts a bite from his pie, setting it on my plate, so I do the same for him. We are so perfect for each other.
Again, an “mmmmm” escapes the second I take a bite of the pie. It’s not a dessert I’ve had here before, but I will order it in the future. I’m thinking of asking them to box up a piece for me to take home. It’s delicious. Rich, silky chocolate and the crunchof the Oreos, all topped by divine homemade whipped cream? It’s phenomenal.
After a couple minutes of small talk about the food, Caleb puts down his fork. “Anything else we need to know for a successful mission?” he asks, his eyes twinkling.
“Just keep our cool. We’re good under pressure,” I say, my smile widening. But the warning is mostly for me.
Caleb has a mission to fool his mom and keep himself safe from her matchmaking, but I have my own quest.
Does that make me a double agent?
Law
Carlie says Caleb’s bringing his girlfriend to the wedding.
Jett
Girlfriend?
Devin
Caleb has a girlfriend?
Caleb
We haven’t exactly defined it as that yet.
Law
Because she’s not actually your girlfriend and this is some ploy to keep your mom from setting you up with one of my mom’s policy advisors?
Caleb
What? No. We are totally dating.
Devin
