Page 61 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

Without overthinking it, I fake a sneeze with a mighty hunch.

I inhale hard, lowering my hand and turning back to face front. “Sorry,” I mutter. “I couldn’t think straight. I could feel that sneeze coming on.”

Yvette huffs, swatting a hand. “Whatever. Parker, you’re being so dumb. Lewis doesn’t want two girlfriends.”

“Good,” Parker replies, “because there’s no way he’s getting my girlfriend.”

My heart rate lowers as the conversation dies and Lewis settles back on the seat beside me. I glance over at him with a kind smile. He sighs and smiles back.

Okay, I'll take that as progress.

The car zooms through Mountains Road. Parker takes the twists and turns like a pro, proving he made all those swerves and jerks earlier on purpose. After a few ascents and declines, the car turns onto a dirt track. Soon, we’re driving alongside the dazzling lake and shadowed by a canopy of trees.

Parker drives the car across a patchy grass area, where we spot Tyler sitting on the hood of his car.

Once parked, Parker opens his door and asks, “Are you the only one here?”

We all exit the car as Tyler replies, “Yep. Should’ve known you’d all be taking your sweet time.”

“See, we didn’t have to rush,” Lewis grunts, punching Parker’s arm.

“Ouch,” Parker whines, rubbing his arm. “How was I supposed to know? Kai told me what time to get here.”

Before the boys can get into another argument, another car approaches the area. It parks and Kai gets out of the driver’s seat. Tabitha leaves the front seat, and Jamie and her boyfriend Milo emerge from the backseat.

“Whoa.” Tyler smirks. “You actually convinced Milo to come along?”

“He’s here with Jamie,” Kai grunts. “I’m not babysitting him.”

Milo rolls his eyes. “I don’t need babysitting.”

Kai and Milo are identical twins, but telling them apart is easy. Kai’s hair is cropped short and he has a scar by his eye. Milo’s hair is thicker and longer, plus he wears glasses. Not to mention the confidence absolutely drips off Kai, whereas his brother has an awkward, somewhat hunched, posture. Although, when Jamie’s by his side, I swear Milo stands taller.

Parker’s hands land on his hips. “So, what gives? Why are you guys so late?”

Kai hangs a thumb at Jamie. “Blame her. We couldn’t get her out of the café.”

“It’s Aunt Maddy’s fault,” Jamie complains. “She forgot to organize the new girl to come in.”

Unable to fight it, I gulp. Usually I fill in for Jamie when she goes out with her friends. Is she going to blame me for not taking her shift?

Her boyfriend, Milo, wraps her in a hug and kisses her forehead. “We got you out in time. It’s cool.”

Tabitha smiles, nodding. “We all pitched in so Jamie could get out of there while Maddy called up her replacement.”

Jamie sighs. “Honestly, my aunt can be such a scatterbrain.”

Phew. No death stares from Jamie.

Yvette giggles, staring at Parker. “Well, we were late because Parker got lost on the way to my house. I thought you said you’d been there before.”

Parker shrugs and a faint blush highlights his cheeks. “I have. I guess I got my route mixed up.”

Yvette chews on her fingernail, grinning at him. “Maybe you’re the scatterbrain.”

Discomfort seeps into Lewis’s body language. He shifts by Yvette and places an arm around her.

I share a look with Parker. He rattled him. Lewis is totally marking his territory.

---