Page 118 of The Fake Out Flex

Beth: THE. BEST!

Summer: That's a minor miracle about Fraser opening up to you again, Evie, given how closed-off he normally is.

Evie: I know, right?

Beth: Let's circle back to the vinaigrettes issue for a moment—are you nervous about bringing it up?

Evie: A little, yeah. I'm not sure if it's the right time to mention it.

Hannah: Why not?

Evie: Well, we agreed to keep going with this fake dating thing, which is good.

Hannah: That is good.

Beth: Very good.

Summer: Very, very good.

Amiel: Adding this so I'm not left out: Very, very, very good.

I giggle to myself, loving how very, very, very goofy my besties can be.

Evie: But we're not officially dating, so I'm thinking maybe I should wait and see what happens before I come out with it.

Hannah: Not that there's anything to feel ashamed or embarrassed about, right, Evie?

Evie: Of course not. It's not shame or embarrassment, I promise. It's more that I'm trying not to get too carried away.

Summer: Why not? All the signs are pointing to this having a happily ever after. Right, Beth?

Beth: Oh, totally. You guys have all the hallmarks of a fake dating, best friend's brother, hockey player romcom.

Evie: I hope so. I'd love a happily ever after with Fraser. It's just, well, there are a few things standing in our way.

Hannah: Such as?

Evie: He doesn't want to live in a small town.

Hannah: He said that years ago. He could have changed his mind since then.

Evie: True. He's away for most of the year.

Summer: Long-distance is manageable. You're making it work now.

Evie: Also true.

I blow out a breath and tap out the biggest reason of all, the thing that's holding me back from getting swept up in how great things are between Fraser and me.

Evie: He left once before. He could do it again.

A few seconds pass before the next message comes through.

Beth: That is a possibility. It's good to be prepared for the worst.

Hannah: I agree that it's good to be ready for any outcome. Don't close yourself off to the possibility of having a future with him based on what happened in the past.

Summer: Exactly. Things are different now. You've both grown a lot.

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