Page 117 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

I leave my bedroom, descend the stairs, and say goodbye to my parents. I timed it so I’d make it out the door before Parker arrives. I close the door and see him walking toward me.

Parker stops dead on the path. “I was coming to the door.”

“Don’t bother,” I say, pacing toward the car. “You don’t need to make nice with my parents.”

“But I like seeing your parents.”

I brush past him. “You don’t need to keep pretending. You can cool it when Lewis and Yvette aren’t around.”

Parker groans, following me to the car. “You’re still mad at me?”

“Oh, good.” I reef the passenger door open. “Your brain is still working.”

“Oof. You’re in a feisty mood.” He rounds the car and gets into the driver’s seat. “You’re not really mad at me. You’re only mad because Lewis wasn’t there.”

I scoff, folding my arms and turning my face away.

“I know because I felt you kissing me back.”

“I’m mad that Lewis wasn’t there, and I’m mad that you kissed me.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. I kissed you to make Lewis jealous. That’s what you want.”

“None of this is what I want. I don’t want to be pretending with you. I want to do this for real withhim.”

Parker flops back on his seat, banging his head against the headrest. He scrunches his eyes closed, wincing. “This isn’t how I wanted things to go either. But I think it’s working.”

“How is it working? He was at her house today and they seemed closer than ever at the skatepark.”

Parker opens his eyes, turning his head my way. “Kai and Tabby called us cute, and Yvie was quick to say we were copying them. Doesn’t that sound insecure to you?”

“You still think they’re putting on an act?”

“I don’t think they’re rock-solid.”

“This whole thing is overwhelming. Can we make a deal? If things don’t go our way tonight, we’ll reconsider this fake relationship.”

“You want to call it quits?”

“We said we’d do this until they break up. Well, what if they don’t break up?”

He frowns. “Don’t say that.”

“Can you please promise me?” I press my palms together in front of my chest. “I promise to give things one more try tonight. But if Lewis and Yvette are the perfect couple, can you promise to break up with me?”

Parker exhales, looking up at the roof of his car. “Kylie.”

“Please?”

He slouches with a huff. “Okay. Fine.”

I drop my hands, filling with sadness instead of my intended relief. “Thank you.”

Parker turns on the ignition. “So, you’ll still act like my girlfriend tonight?”

“Yes, but no more kissing.”

He deadpans at me. “But this could be our last shot.”

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