Page 47 of The Fake Out Flex

"Today. Seven times."

"Seven times? When did I reject you sev—? Oh." Her frown softens once she catches on. "The dancing."

I nod. "The dancing."

"I thought you were doing that as part of the whole we're a real couple ruse."

"Nope. I was doing it as part of the whole I really want to dance with the prettiest girl at the wedding non-ruse."

"I'm sorry." She rubs my arm apologetically, then, with a hint of a smile, continues, "Consider yourself lucky. I'm a truly terrible dancer. You dodged a bullet, believe me."

"That won't do." I aim my most serious look her way, hoping the squinting doesn't come off as some weird eye condition. "I can handle being rejected seven times. But eight? That's a bridge too far."

She looks in the direction of the reception hall. "But we've missed our chance."

"No. We haven't."

Leaning forward, I unlace my shoes, slide them off, and then remove my socks.

"Fraser, what are you doing?"

I lift myself up, brush the sand from my backside, and offer her my hand. "I'm asking the prettiest girl at the wedding if she'll dance with me."

"Here? On the beach?"

"No. Not on the beach."

I shift my gaze to the ocean.

Evie's eyes widen. "No way."

"Way." I roll my pant legs halfway up my shins and jog the few steps into the water. "Come on in. It's warm."

"Fraser! I can't."

"I'm sorry. This version of Fraser software doesn't recognize that word. To update to the latest version…" I drop the robotic voice and smile at her. "You're gonna have to come here and say it to my face."

"Yeah, right. The second I move closer, you're going to splash me."

"Oh, Evie." I prop my hands on my hips. "It's cute you think I can't splash you from here."

I make a move as if I'm about to kick some water her way. She covers her face and shrieks, "Don't you dare! This dress cost seven thousand dollars."

I stop mid-kick. "I'll buy you ten more dresses."

She uncovers her face. "Wait. You believe me?"

"Well, yeah. You look incredible in that dress, so I assume it's expensive. I'm also assuming seven thousand dollars for a dress is expensive. I don't really know much about fashion."

Evie pulls herself onto her knees, then heaves herself into a standing position. She takes a few cautious steps toward me. "I bought it online for two hundred bucks."

I don't know how to respond to that. What can I say? She makes it look like a seven-thousand-dollar dress.

"Is that your way of telling me you don't mind if it gets wet?"

"Absolutely not. It's my way of telling you I have nothing else to wear, and even though it's lavender, I'm worried that if it gets wet, it'll become see-through."

"Fair enough. Good thing I've got a backup plan."

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