Page 14 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

“Hey gorgeous,” Lewis says in a breathy tone.

My eyelids flutter open, and my lips drag into a frown. Lewis’s eyes sparkle as he leans in to touch Yvette’s silky, white blonde hair.

Yvette gushes and giggles as my insides contort.

“Okay, students,” Mr. Thompson says, marching into the room and dumping his laptop case onto his desk. “Everyone to your desks so we can begin class.”

Thank goodness.

I swallow hard and force myself to sit taller as Lewis walks across to his workstation. Unfortunately, Parker catches my eye.

His eyebrow arches and he subtly nods at Lewis. Urgency fills his stare, but I have no interest in indulging him.

I turn toward the front of the room, and follow what Mr. Thompson writes on the board. It’s particularly difficult today with Yvette continually giggling beside me.

Ugh.

Spring break cannot come soon enough.

Once Mr. Thompson finishes writing the lesson plan, and hands out the experiment instructions, I leave my workstation for the equipment cupboard. Before I can open the cupboard door, Parker slips in beside me.

“Can we talk now?” Parker whispers.

My shoulders bunch up as I recoil from him. “What? No.”

He looks around at the other students leaving their tables, and moves in close again. “What about after class? Do you have anything planned after school?”

“I’m going straight to work.”

“At the café? Can I drive you there?”

My forehead creases with confusion. “Why are you asking me this?”

“Because I have a plan,” he whispers insistently. “And it only works if you’re onboard.”

“Parker, we’ve never spoken more than needed in classes. Why are you trying to involve me in some kind of plan?”

“Because it’ll help you get together with Lewis.”

My mouth opens but nothing comes out.

What do I even say to that?

It’s crazy. Isn’t it?

He grins. “You want that, don’t you?”

I glance back at my workstation and find Yvette missing. She’s over at Lewis’s table, shamelessly flirting.

Parker hangs a thumb in their direction. “We can stop them before they get more serious.”

I’ve decided. “You’re crazy.” I take the equipment I need and move back to my workstation.

“So, that’s a no on the ride?” Parker calls out.

When other students’ ears prick and start looking back and forth at us, my face flashes with hot embarrassment.

“No,” I say as loudly as my awkwardness will allow.

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