Page 86 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

Parker’s smile twitches as he takes in the heated stare from Lewis.

I stand at Lewis’s side, staring at Parker like he’s a life preserver. He moves over to me, ignoring the others as kindness eases any hesitation in his expression.

Parker presses on my shoulder. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Aww,” Yvette beams. “It’s so cute how you two miss each other.”

Ugh. I can’t stand her voice for another second. I grab onto Parker’s wrist and step backwards. “Yes, you can.”

Parker looks over his shoulder at Lewis. “Make sure no one steals our table.”

Clutching her hand, Lewis walks Yvette over to the table. “No problem.”

We backtrack, and Parker asks, “How was the trip over?”

My chest rises with hot breath. “Ugh. I can’t believe Yvette showed up. She ruined everything. Lewis and I were actually talking.”

“Really? What about?”

For a moment, hope lightens my mood. “He asked why we never hang out. Like, he wants to be friends with me.”

Parker grins. “That’s awesome.”

“I even said to him that me and him being friends was super important. That I couldn’t be friends with Yvie or you if Lewis and I didn’t hang out. Like, the dynamic wouldn’t work.”

“And he agreed?”

I nod heartily. “I thought so. I really thought he was into spending time with me. Then Yvie got off that stupid bus and wrecked everything. Once she was around, I was totally invisible to him. It was brutal. Ugh, and she does not shut up.”

Parker laughs.

I deadpan him. “I’m serious.”

He strokes a hand down my shoulder, swallowing the laughter. “Okay, I’m sorry. Look, it sucks that happened. I really thought you had a clear shot with him. But I guess they organized the bus trip once they left the lake with Tyler.”

I sink into my pout. “Mm-hmm.”

He tilts his head. “Are you gonna perk up?”

I fold my arms. “I dunno.”

“Do you think pouting will win over Yvie’s giggle?”

I retch, dropping my arms by my side.

“We should get back over there,” Parker says.

I nod but can’t help dawdling my steps.

Parker slides a hand on my back, which I want to think it’s for support, but it’s probably just to hurry me up. His hand can press as firmly into my back as he likes, nothing is making me excited to get back to that table.

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