Page 186 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

I nod. “I set the photos on his desk. I hope you’re not mad.”

She clutches her chest. “Mad? I’d never be upset about that. I just didn’t think he wanted to talk about her.”

I blow out a painful breath. “Your family has to get better at communication.”

Her shoulders slouch. “We suck at it.”

I step past her and rub her arm. “I hope you enjoy the cake.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

I move into the garage as warmth spreads through my heart. Parker and I might not be together for much longer, but it doesn’t hurt to give Mrs. Kelly a shred of hope. It’s better than her spending the rest of the evening wallowing in despair.

“What were you doing?” Parker asks when I join him inside his car.

“Just trying to make your mom feel a little better.”

He starts the ignition and smiles. “Thanks.”

“So, where are we headed?”

“Usually, in times like these, I’d head over to Kai’s and play video games with the boys.” His wrist drapes over the steering wheel as he gently turns my way. “But I’d much rather hang out with just you.”

I let out a nervous laugh as a tingle runs down my spine. “So, what’s the alternative?”

“Wanna go to the arcade?”

I wince. “The arcade?”

He nudges me. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

I raise my hands. “Okay, let’s do it. We do quiet stuff when I’m upset. We’ll do loud stuff with flashing lights to perk you up.”

He sniggers. “That’s the spirit.”

When we get to the arcade, I try my best to mask my apprehension. I’m happy to be here to lift Parker’s mood, but it’s not exactly my speed.

We start with a duck shooting game. Parker insists I play with him, but I hardly put in any effort. The thought of shooting ducks, video games or not, just isn’t something I’m into. Also not helped by the fact we’re holding plastic rifles.

“Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best place to start,” Parker says, collecting our tokens. “What about a street fighter game instead?”

“Umm, do I look like a worthy adversary for that?”

Parker laughs. “Kikki, you’ve continued to surprise me all week. So, yes, you could be.”

His enthusiasm lights me up and I agree to play.

However, it doesn’t work out well for my character. I hold my own better than I expected, but Parker knows the control better than me. There was no chance of this going my way.

Parker makes me high five him when the game ends. “You did well, Green.”

“I need more practice so I can beat you.”

“Oh, them’s fighting words.”

I wink. “Don’t you know it?”

We amble around the aisles, but Parker is too distracted to suggest another game.

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