Page 68 of The Plus One Pact

Sure. That's a famous quote from the play. Everyone knows that one.

"This is why people think this shit is romantic," he says. "Because Romeo really does fall for Juliet. He's not saying all this to get in her pants. He's head over heels."

"Isn't he a teenager?" I ask.

He nods. "A teenager in love. Feelings change fast at that age."

"Have you come close to falling in love?"

"No," he says. "I loved women, but I was never in love."

"Just sleeping around?" I ask.

"More making out, at that age," he says. "Most people weren't ready to have sex."

"When were you?" I ask.

"Oh, I think I'll save that information." He sits on the bed and pats the spot next to me. "Let's read a scene. Then I'll show you around the house."

"Which one?"

"The one where they meet, of course."

"Can I be Romeo?" I ask.

He smiles. "No one has ever asked me that."

"It might be fun. To reverse the roles," I say.

He nods it might.

We read the scene. I fall into my role as the romantic teenage boy. The one who falls in love at first sight.

Looking at Romeo, it's easy to imagine falling hard for him. He's handsome and charming. And, despite his stated desire for honesty, he's still hiding himself from me.

But that's okay.

Because this isn't real.

Like the words on the page, this is all pretend.

It's just hard to remember that when I stare into his gorgeous brown eyes.

And, well, it's really hard to remember that when he leads me to the backyard and kisses me under the palm trees.

I'm about ready to tear off his clothes when a voice interrupts.

"Rome, is that you?" A woman asks.

Cynthia. His brother's fiancée.

She's out here, on her own, listening to something on her phone, vaping.

"Are you two really that handsy?" she laughs. "Or is that for your brother's benefit?"

Chapter Sixteen

Ivy