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A few people have cameras out, taking photos of us without saying anything. I scoot my chair around to the side, wanting to be closer to Juniper. When it still doesn’t feel close enough, I slide my ankle under the foot of her chair and slide her closer, our legs brushing.

I hear her slight inhale, it’s sharp and quick. It’s easy for me to read her; she’s nervous. “What are you⁠—”

But I don’t want anyone else to see through the charade. With my arm at the back of her chair, I trap her between the table and me, and I lean in, taking a sweet taste of her lips.

Her body relaxes, the tension takes a half second to dissipate, and I’m relieved when it rolls right off of her.

“Try to look a little happy to be with your boyfriend,” I whisper, and she smiles.

It’s a genuine smile.

The girl can’t fake a smile like that. At least I hope she can’t. Or else I’ve gotten her all wrong.

“I am happy to be here with you, boyfriend,” she teases.

Maybe she can fake a smile.

Doubt creeps in.

Shit.

I steal another kiss, my left hand on her cheek, my right-hand firm on the chair, keeping her close to me.

She pulls away after the kiss first and then presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Dinner?” She reminds me that the food is here and waiting for us. At least it’s not getting cold.

Juniper reaches for her chopsticks, and I watch her struggle.

I grab a piece of the king crab sushi, and for a fraction of a second, she looks disappointed because she wanted it. I bring the chopsticks to her mouth, intent on feeding her.

Juniper’s eyes widen, surprised by the gesture, and willingly opens her mouth for me. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised too. I never thought I’d be feeding my fake girlfriend.

Hell, I wouldn’t ordinarily feed a real girlfriend this way either.

What the hell is happening between us?

She smiles faintly and also looks a bit perplexed. “Thanks, I get it. You’re really good at sharing,” she says and grabs her glass of water to wash down the food.

I clear my throat, deciding that maybe our conversation should be less about food and more focused on something else.

Anything else.

Watching her mouth, all I want to do is kiss her again.

What has gotten into me?

Is it because it’s been so long since I’ve had sex that one kiss stirs me up inside and I crave more?

School.

College.

She’s a senior.

I try to refocus on her.

She mentioned finals when I dropped her off yesterday so she wouldn’t be late. “You had finals this week. When’s graduation?” I ask, realizing it must be coming up sometime soon.

“Tomorrow, but I don’t plan on attending.”