I brace myself for Nick to give me shit for it, but he just grins. “Good. I love forehead kisses.”
He starts slowly walking backwards to where his car is parked. “Goodnight, Poppy. Text me when you get inside, okay?”
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off with a head shake. “You’re my girlfriend. I need to know you’re safe.”
Tingles flash through my chest this time at how sweet that is.
Because he’s pretending to be your boyfriend. He’s trying to make this look real.
I nod at him, too flustered to speak actual words despite that silent reminder I gave myself. Nick is really, really good at pretending to be a doting boyfriend. We’ve been a fake couple for an hour, and already he’s knocking it out of the park.
I turn around and head inside, then climb the stairs to the second floor, where my apartment is.
When I’m inside, I text him and try to ignore the fluttery feeling in my tummy.
Me: Made it inside.
Nick: Was that so hard to text your boyfriend? ;)
Me: Yes. I don’t like being checked up on.
Nick: Too bad. You’re gonna keep doing it.
I roll my eyes, annoyed at how bossy Nick is being. A tiny part of me kind of likes it, though.
Nick: Stuff like that is what makes us seem convincing as a couple.
Me: Fine. I’ll keep doing it.
Nick: Good girl.
My eyes widen as I stare at my phone screen, surprised at what Nick has called me…and surprised at just how much I like it.
Chapter 9
Poppy
Anna’s eyes look like they’re about to pop out of her head, and her mouth is hanging open.
I just told her about my fake dating agreement with Nick while we eat lunch together at a sandwich place just off campus.
She’s quiet for ten seconds, then she blinks.
“You and my brother are dating?” she finally says.
“Fake dating,” I say, careful to keep my voice down so no one overhears us. This is a popular spot for Hollis U students, and this place is currently crawling with them during today’s lunch rush.
She looks at me like I’m speaking an alien language.
“But…you don’t like him. He annoys you. You think he’s arrogant and obnoxious. In high school, when he jokingly asked you to the prom, you were so angry. You said you’d never waste your time on him.”
A faint sting moves through my chest remembering that. “I meant all of those things. It’s just…” I let out a breath. “Brody was just so smug about getting that internship. When he made that slacking off comment about me, it was infuriating. The only way I could think to get back at him in that moment was to lieabout hooking up with your brother. I knew it would get under his skin. You know how much Brody doesn’t like Nick.”
“Okay, yeah, I get it.” She reaches across the small table we’re sharing in the back of the sandwich shop and grabs my hand. “You sure you didn’t fall and hit your head or lose your mind, and that’s why you’re fake dating my brother?” she jokes.
I chuckle.
“Your secret is safe with me,” she says.
