Page 166 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

“I am.”

I click my tongue, watching his growing grin. “Is there a crowd favorite? Or, maybe something they haven’t had in a long time?”

Parker leans over to view my phone. “Are you saying you can make anything?”

“Sure. As long as I have a recipe.”

Parker takes control of my phone, scrolling through the dessert images. “Oh my gosh, chocolate cherry layer cake. My parents would love that.”

“Sold!” I cheer.

“But look at the layers. It looks difficult.”

I wink. “But I love a challenge.”

“Since when?”

“Since it comes to baking.”

Parker sits back, holding my phone. “Ah, I see.”

Before I can ask to see the recipe, my ringtone buzzes.

“It’s Tessa,” Parker says, flipping my phone around and simultaneously hitting the answer button.

My eyes widen as I hear Tess’s voice calling out, “Hello? Hello?”

Parker laughs. “Aren’t you going to talk to her?”

“Kylie?” Tess’s voice questions. “Who is that?”

“It’s Parker,” he says, drawing the phone closer to his lips.

“Umm, is Kylie there?”

I wipe the loose hair off my face and swiftly grab hold of my phone. “Hey sis.”

“Umm, why is a boy answering your phone?”

“It’s Parker. We were just talking about chem lab,” I lie.

Parker’s eyebrows raise.

“During spring break?” Tess questions.

I force myself to sound as upbeat as possible. “Yeah, why not?”

“Kikki, what’s going on? This morning, you sounded miserable. And now you’re talking with a boy? I’m worried about you.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. And you especially don’t have to worry about Parker.”

“How come I’ve never heard about him before?”

“Because he’s just a boy from school. I bumped into him.” I keep my head down, careful not to catch Parker’s gaze. “Anyway, I’ve got to go. Sorry, sis, I’ll call you back.”

“Okay, but...”

“Bye, Tess,” I blurt and hit the end call button.

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