Page 29 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

Parker hooks a finger under my chin. “Yeah, I want to walk in with my girlfriend.”

I tug my head away from his grasp. “Can you stop calling me that?”

He huffs with frustration. “Kylie, are you in or not?”

“I’m just not used to it. Does it have to sound so official? Can’t we just be hanging out?”

“Yvette doesn’t want a double date with people who arejust hanging out.”

“Oh gosh.” I sigh. “I can’t handle the idea of spending time with her.”

Parker takes a bite of the cookie dough cup and winks. “Hopefully I get most of her attention.”

“Hey, I thought Lewis was supposed to see you eating those?”

He shrugs, grinning. “I’ll try to resist the other one. They’re just too good, Kylie.”

I smile modestly. “Thanks.”

“What’s your first class? I’ll walk you.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” I rush. “I have to meet up with Josie, anyway.”

With his books shuffled into the nook of his left arm, he lifts his right arm into a wing. “Are you sure?”

I chew my lip, feeling a confusing flutter in my chest. “Yeah, I’m sure. I need to talk to her.”

He frowns. “You’re not talking to her about us, are you? I mean, therealus.”

“I told you she’s trustworthy.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” I backtrack toward Josie’s locker. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

He gives me a salute. “See you then, GF.”

I cringe, turning around and hurrying amongst the surging crowd.

I find Josie, ambling her way through the hallway. “Hey, do you want to go to the mall this afternoon?”

She opens her locker, amused by the idea. “Yeah sure. Do you have anything in mind, or is this a smoothie and window shopping situation?”

I grit my teeth with hesitation. “Umm, I want to buy a bikini.”

Josie’s face elongates with surprise. “Get out. Since when do you buy bikinis?”

I bite into my lip, my face coloring with deceit.

Josie’s stare intensifies. “Whoa. What’s going on?”

“Remember that text I sent you last night?”

“Umm, yeah. The one that made absolutely no sense.”

“Because I couldn’t find the words to tell you what happened. I still can’t believe what’s going on.”

“You’re starting to scare me. Your vibe is way off.”

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