Her eyes widen, and she gulps when my gaze drops to her lush mouth. It would be so easy to bridge the gap between us and kiss her. But kisses should be saved for times when they’re required, and I remind myself this is an arrangement, not the real deal. So, I kiss her forehead, lingering for a few beats, inhaling the floral scent emanating from her skin, the smell of peaches rising from her hair, and the warmth radiating from her body. “See you at lunch.”
“Lunch, right,” she answers in a breathy voice. “See you later.”
I watch her walk into the classroom and claim a seat before I turn around, almost colliding with Thor. “Mate, get any closer, and I’ll think you want me.”
“In your dreams, bro.” He lightly thumps my shoulder. “You’re doing it?” He looks around before lowering his voice. “Fake dating?”
“Yeah.” I grip the strap of my bag as we walk off toward our first class of the day. Maths. The literal worst way to start the school week. At least my mate will be suffering with me.
“I get why you’re doing it, but you’re playing with fire,” he says.
“We know what we’re doing. We’ve agreed terms, and we both know where we stand.”
“What if you fall for her? What then?”
“That won’t happen,” I say as we enter our classroom.
“Love doesn’t exactly play by the rules, dude.”
“Whoa, who the fuck said anything about love? You high or something?”
We grab seats at the back, settling in to wait for the teacher to arrive.
“Deny it all you want, but you like her, and she likes you. Your agreement positions you perfectly to fall in love. If you haven’t even considered it, you’re an idiot.”
“We like each other asfriends, and Astrid is as focused as me. It’ll be fine.”
“It better be because you and I will have issues, bro, if you hurt Renee’s friend.”
“Where’s Scott?” Astrid asks Gwen at lunch when Gwen flops down in the empty seat beside her at the girls’ usual spot in the cafeteria.
I stretch my legs out under the table while keeping one arm around the back of Astrid’s chair. Thor flashes me a look I can’tdecipher from across the table. He’s cozied up to Renee, who is chatting with Nikki. Their other friend, Lyn, is a no-show so far.
“He has a dental appointment this afternoon, so he left already.”
“Great, that’s just great.” Astrid stabs a piece of her pasta like she wishes it was a nosy student.
Gwen arches a brow.
“Astrid was hoping you two would put on another show and claim all the attention,” I explain.
“Sorry to disappoint, bestie, but I’ll make it up to you. Suck it up for today, and then let Scott and me do our thing.”
“You’re the best,” Astrid says before popping pasta in her mouth.
I cut up my chicken one-handed, meeting the various stares leveled our way head-on. People will get tired of gawking and move on. Hopefully. Conversation flows naturally around the table as we eat, and I’m glad that Astrid relaxes, forgetting about the attention focused on us.
Afternoon classes are a snooze-fest, and I almost nod off in history. I’m surprised to find Gwen waiting outside for me when I emerge. “Can I talk to you?” she asks.
“I’ve got English now.”
“I have a free period, so why don’t we walk and I’ll talk?”
I suspect I know what this is about, so I agree to get it over and done with. “What’s on your mind, Gwen?” I ask as I purposely slow down to accommodate her shorter legs.
“You got my name right.” She beams at me like I deserve a medal, and I feel like a piece of shit, but I’m not apologizing again.
I encourage her to continue with a stare.
