Page 32 of Allured By Her

The server came to check on us and ask if we wanted dessert. We’d already stayed way too long and needed to get to the party, but I wished we could just stay here and have dessert and then go back to her place and she could let me borrow some more books.

This wasn’t a real date, so that wasn’t going to happen. Tenley wasn’t my real girlfriend.

“No, thank you, we’ll just take the check,” Tenley said, and I had to hold in a sigh.

Tenley and I both hit the bathroom to wash our hands and check to make sure we still looked cute. I did a quick floss and rinsed my mouth to make sure it was free of corn.

“You know you look good,” Tenley said when she thought I was taking too long.

“Thanks,” I said, looking over at her. She was absolutely staring at my ass. I looked down to make sure there was nothing on it, and then up at her. Tenley’s face went red and she made a huffing noise before getting out her phone.

I didn’t want to leave until I made sure there wasn’t anything on my butt. I even used my phone to check but didn’t see anything.

“Let’s go,” I said finally, and Tenley didn’t take my hand as we left the restaurant.

* * *

It was strange to see the beach parking lot so empty. Usually when I came on the weekends in the summer you had to fight for a spot and drive around until you found one.

Tenley parked next to a truck and we got out. The breeze was chilly, but not freezing. Still, I slung my blanket over my shoulder with my bag.

“Let’s go, fake girlfriend,” she said, holding out her hand.

“After you, fake girlfriend,” I said.

Tenley and I made our way under the light of the floodlights toward the walkway and then down onto the sand. It wasn’t hard to find the group of noisy people all gathered around a driftwood fire with classic rock blasting.

Tenley dragged me over the sand and my heart kept sinking. All the fun we’d had earlier at dinner evaporated and now I had to pretend. I was suddenly so tired I wanted to lay down in the sand and go to sleep.

“Hey,” Tenley said when people spotted us and started cheering. They sure as hell weren’t cheering for me. I scanned around the fire and found Shane passing out drinks before poking at the fire.

“You’re just in time for fireworks,” one of Tenley’s friends said as she hugged Tenley. I was greeted warmly, which I hadn’t expected, and damp can of beer was pushed into my hand. I didn’t want to drink it, so I set it down in the sand and hoped no one noticed.

Shane seemed all excited about the fireworks, so he and a few of the other guys got the box set up. They definitely weren’t allowed on the beach, but they weren’t letting that stop them.

“Just be ready to run if the cops come,” Tenley said in my ear.

“I would rather not be in a situation that would require me to run from the police, Tenley,” I said in her ear.

“Calm down, it’ll be fine,” she whispered back and squeezed my hand before gently kissing my cheek. It was a sweet gesture that made me catch my breath. For a few moments, I watched the firelight flicker on her gorgeous face. She gazed back at me and there was a sharpness but also a softness in her look that made my heart pound.

We both jumped at the first boom of a firework down the beach. It was nothing like one of the big Fourth of July shows, but it was still fun to watch them go off until the box was empty, and the guys were running back to the fire.

“No sirens yet,” I muttered to Tenley.

“See? We’re fine.”

Only a few minutes later, Shane sauntered over. He and Tenley really did make a beautiful couple together. Classic prom queen and quarterback looks. As if nature had created them as part of a matched set.

“Hey, Tens,” Shane said in that soft voice. Tenley let go of my hand.

“Hi, Shane,” she said, and he blathered on about the fireworks, his words stringing together. I had to admit, it was kind of cute how excited he was about it. Like a little boy with an exploding toy.

“Hey, babe, can we talk for a second?” I asked her. In order to make Shane jealous, Tenley had to act as if she’d moved on. Right now, she was hanging on his every word with stars in her eyes, which was the complete opposite.

“Sure,” Tenley said, and I could tell she was angry with me, but I seriously was trying to help her.

I pulled her away from the fire where the sand was cool and made your toes numb if you stood there too long without shoes on.

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