“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I always smile.”
“Um, not really. You have a bit of a resting bitch face, actually.”
I frown at her.
“Yeah, like that.”
“I didn’t get laid.”
“Okay.”
I try to focus during class, but I keep thinking about how we’re going to sell our fake relationship to Nate and Ben’s other fraternity brothers.
My first task is to attend a costume party as his plus-one before Nate can set him up with someone else. We’llconvene on our couples’ costume later—Ben is working on it. I’m expecting I’ll be something ridiculous … and I don’t mind.
BEN
I managed to turn up to class just as the professor was starting the lecture, so Nate didn’t get a chance to corner me about my date with Tom. But as the class concludes, Nate walks with me to my car. There’s no escape.
I tell him what I told Elias … well, I tell himsomeof what I told Elias. I can’t believe there are things I’m telling a practical stranger that I’m not telling my best friend. But then, I’ve been keeping secrets from Nate for years, haven’t I?
“Just fine?” Nate asks. “What did he do?”
“Nothing, he was very nice. He was polite, he asked me plenty of questions, he has excellent table manners.”
“So, good start, then. Right?”
I hold back a groan. “Right.”
“It’s probably not going to be love at first sight. You know it took me and Evan years to get together.”
But they always loved each other, on some level. God, I want that. I want someone to love me as fiercely as Evan and Nate love each other.
“And this is your first real relationship,” Nate points out. “My first real one was with Mira, and that didn’t work out in the end, but I’m glad it happened. She taught me a lot about how to be with someone, how to be a decent boyfriend and all that stuff.”
Nate has a point. Do I want to be completely sexually inexperienced when I meet the love of my life? Nate may have been clueless about being with guys before he got with Evan, but he wasn’t a total virgin. He at least knew how to bewith someone other than his own hand. I’d be worried about blowing at the slightest touch at this point.
I nod at the right parts and let Nate talk on.
“So, when are you seeing him again? Why don’t you invite him to the mixer? You guys could dress up as something fun.”
“I can’t imagine Tom going for that. And anyway, I, um … invited someone else.”
“Who?”
“Elias?”
I realize now that Nate would call bullshit if I just told him I was dating Elias out of the blue. If he’s going to buy that we’re dating, we’re going to have to build up to it. Maybe start flirting before this party. My stomach does somersaults at the very idea. A cold sweat rushes over me at the thought of trying to flirt with someone as sexy and intimidating as Elias. But he did suggest the idea, right? Maybe he could flirt with me? I’m sure he’s good at that stuff.
“I suppose we should be trying to make him feel welcome. He is on the team,” Nate says.
“And my doubles partner.”
“But Ben, you can invite Elias and still bring Tom as your date.”
“I think he’s busy that night actually … yeah, now I think of it, I’m sure he had something on.”
“Oh.” Nate gives me a dubious look. I am so bad at lying. How the heck will I pull off a fake relationship?
