Page 17 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

My back loosens as the door chimes with their exit.

“Parker, you coming?” Kai calls as he follows Jamie and Tyler out of the café.

“No, I’m going to stay and kill some time,” Parker says, sitting on a tabletop. “My mom texted me to pick up my brother from his robotics club. I’ll probably just go home after that.”

Kai waves, leaving for the door. “Your loss.”

When his friends leave, Parker swivels on the table and leaps off in my direction. “Hi Kylie.”

“Hi?” I drag out the word, dropping my cloth and spray bottle on a table. “You want to order something?”

“Yeah, I was wondering if a new girlfriend was on the menu?”

I give him a disgusted look. “Excuse me?”

“C’mon.” His eyebrows wiggle. “I wanna make a deal with you.”

I back away, taking my cleaning gear to another booth. “Pass.”

Parker laughs. “Why?”

“Because you’re up to no good.”

“No good?” He clutches his heart, feigning distress. “I’m here to give both of us a second chance.”

“Ugh. You’re giving me a headache.”

“Okay, here’s the deal. We pretend to be a couple so we can get close to Yvette and Lewis.”

With no way to hold it back, loud laughter erupts out of me. I clasp a hand over my mouth, noting the few customers inside turning my way.

Parker smiles. “Good to see you’re not totally uptight. I didn’t know you knew how to laugh.”

I drop my hand, frowning. “Rude.”

“I dunno, I only see you in classes, and you’re always so serious.”

“Because I like to do well,” I reply. “Having fun is for outside of class.”

Parker beams. “Okay, so you’re in? We’re all going to Logan’s Point on Saturday, which is always fun.”

I wince. “Logan’s Point? Not exactly my scene.”

“So, which is it?” Parker teases. “Fun Kylie or uptight Kylie?”

I huff. “Just because we don’t have the same definition of fun, doesn’t make me uptight. Anyway, shouldn’t you be leaving to pick up your brother?”

“I lied.” He smirks. “See, I’m good at it. This can work.”

I scoff. “You think I’m a liar? I don’t want any part of this.”

“All you have to do is stand by me and nod. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“No way.”

“It’ll help you to get closer to Lewis.” Determination surges through him. “I know you want that. I saw your face when I suggested it in class. Besides, when you talk to Lewis, you won’t have to lie. You’ll get him by being yourself.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s with Yvette.”

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