Page 50 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

Parker puts it back on the rack. “What about the one next to it? The darker blue?”

“There’s no straps, it’s just a boob-tube. Umm, no way.”

“Are you here to buy a bikini or not?”

I move ahead, thumbing through the racks. I feel the material of a baby blue two-piece with thicker straps. It doesn’t have two little triangles, like Parker’s selection. This one actually looks like it’ll hold in place.

I pull it from the rack and show Parker. “How about this one?”

He shrugs. “It’s blue.”

“It’s not one-piece, so I think it’s a happy medium.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to try my pick first?”

I back away to the fitting room with my selection. “I’m sure.”

With my new purchase, Parker takes me home. When he parks outside my home, I unbuckle my seatbelt and tell him, “Ah, my parents want to talk to you.”

Surprise fills his expression. “You told them about me?”

“They asked me who I was baking for. Plus, my mom saw your car yesterday.”

“Oh.”

“My dad wants to make sure you’re still okay before you drive me out to Logan’s Point.”

“Another grilling,” Parker mutters. He unbuckles his seatbelt and opens his car door. “Okay. Let’s get this over with.”

“Are you okay with this?”

He winks. “I got this. Parents love me.”

When I get my backpack out of the trunk, I shove the shopping bag inside.

“Hiding your purchase from your parents?” Parker teases.

“No. It’ll just be weird to walk into the house with a bikini when I’m introducing you to my parents.”

“Relax, I’ve met them before.”

“They knew you in middle school. This is a reintroduction.”

“It’ll still be a piece of cake.”

“How does nothing faze you?” I ask as we walk to my front door.

“Because usually things don’t turn out to be such a big deal.”

I roll my eyes. “We live in different worlds.”

When I push the door open, the distinct sounds of eighties pop echoes throughout the house.

“Oh no,” I utter, wanting to stop Parker from stepping inside the house.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, expecting me to welcome him in.

I wince. “Ah, this mightn’t be the best time.”

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