Page 305 of Faking the Goal

"He finally asked me out."

Caroline's eyes go comically wide.

"No way."

I laugh softly at her reaction.

"Way."

"Oh my God." She scoots closer so fast the mattress dips beneath us. "Tell me everything. What happened? What did you say?"

I blink at her.

"...Care."

"What?"

"What do you think I said?"

She stares at me for a beat before dramatically gasping.

"You didn't make him sweat first?"

I can't help laughing.

"No!"

"You should've."

"I absolutely should not have."

She clicks her tongue in disappointment.

"What a wasted opportunity."

I shake my head, still smiling.

"Of course I said yes."

Heat creeps into my cheeks as I steal another piece of popcorn, mostly to give myself something to do besides grin like an idiot.

"I think..." I pause, unable to stop the excitement bubbling inside me. "I think we're finally going to end this whole fake dating arrangement and actually make it official."

The tiniest squeal escapes Caroline before one slips out of me too, and we both immediately clap our hands over our mouths as our heads whip toward Sam.

She shifts beneath the blankets, letting out a sleepy little sigh.

Several painfully long seconds pass before her breathing settles into its slow, even rhythm again.

Caroline lets out the quietest breath of relief.

The next thing I know, Caroline is wrapping me in one of her bone-crushing hugs.

"I'm so happy for you," she whispers, squeezing me tighter. "Seriously, Tay... after everything you've been through, you deserve this."

I hug her back just as tightly.

"I'm excited," I admit, the confession coming out in a breathy little laugh. "Like... embarrassingly excited."