Thankfully the rest of the dinner was full of questions from Aunt Sue centered around my fake and supposedly burning romance with Shoua. I’m glad she hardly brought up Evelyn. In a turn of unexpected events, it wasn’t Aunt Sue who was trying to play the matchmaker this year.

It was my mom.

Now Shoua and me were stuck in this web of lies. Before we even made it to the end of dinner, I claimed I was exhausted and needed to head home early for bed. I bolted out of my parents’ home before anyone could say anything else.

My heart raced at an aching speed as I sat in my driveway. Shoua’s place was pitch dark even though I was hoping she’d be home by the time I got back. I couldn’t wait for her to come home to blurt out the ridiculous shit I got us into, so I had to text her.

Me

We’re best friends and

You’d do anything for me

Right?

She responded right away to my surprise.

Shoua

It depends.

I wasn’t expecting her to even see my text until later, after I was able to mentally prepare myself for the conversation. My throat dried up as my palms became clammy. Fuck it. I had to do it.

Me

Will you be

My girlfriend ?

I knew Shoua and I knew exactly how she would react the moment she heard what I had to say. At first her jaw would drop as a shocked expression crossed her face. Then her brows would knit together, and a red flush would bloom across her golden tanned skin. Her full lips would purse into a thin line as her dark chocolate almond shaped eyes narrowed. The intimidating and cool exterior she had always had would feel even chillier than usual.

Shoua Lo wasn’t going to hesitate to rip me a new one.

CHAPTER 5

shoua

I stared at Anthony’s texts again with a wide and gaping mouth.

Anthony

Will you be

My girlfriend ?

I must’ve read those words over and over at least twenty times. Where in the world was this coming from? I quickly went into my messages as Jackie and Alicia peered overhead like a pair of hawks. We all watched as a bubble of three dots popped up. Anthony was still texting.

Anthony

I mean FAek GILRFIREND

F A KE

Don’t ask. It’s a lot to explain

Come over to my place when you get back

The girls and I shared a glance.