Page 15 of No Summer Hotter than You

And I have a crush on you.

It wasn’t going to be as easy as he claimed it’d be. Maybe it would be easier if I didn’t have these feelings. It would be fun, actually. But with my crush on him, everything would be complicated.

He let out a long sigh as he ran his hand through his hair. I could see the regret etched into the lines of his face. “I know. But this whole entire ordeal with Aunt Sue and Evelyn is getting out of hand. They are pushy and clearly won’t take no for an answer. So, please, Shoua. Help spare me this June from Evelyn. All I’m asking for is for us to be in a fake relationship for a month.”

“I—I—” I couldn’t say anything back.

Anthony frowned at how I was struggling to find the right words. “I swear I’ll make it up to you.”

“How?”

“By being the best fake boyfriend you’ll ever have.” His frown pulled into a cute little smile. “I promise.”

I stared back, confused. “What exactly does that mean?”

“I’ll be respectful, attentive, and as doting as possible. I’ll make it so convincing that Aunt Sue and Evelyn are eating out of the palm of our hands. We’ll set some ground rules and establish some boundaries, of course. Once they’re out of town, we’re going back to our normal lives.”

I couldn’t deny how sincere Anthony’s words were, nor the desperation coloring his gaze. But I just couldn’t bring myself to go through this kind of deceit while having true, beating feelings for him. Even if being his fake girlfriend meant I’d get to be free from Kelvin.

“No, Anthony, I just . . . can’t,” I breathed. “I’m sorry.”

There were flecks of disappointment in his eyes as he nodded slowly. I tore my gaze away from him, feeling guilty for making what I thought was the right choice. If I wasn’t so close to falling harder for him, then I’d immediately agree to it. Maybe I’d even enjoy being living a life different from my current for a few weeks—with a fake boyfriend and all.

“Hey, don’t look so guilty for saying no,” he said, giving me a gentle smile. “If you’re not comfortable with it, then it’s completely fine. I’ll just find some other way to get myself out of this mess.”

“How?”

“If you’re okay with me lying that we broke up, then you would help me a ton.” His head tilted slightly, hoping I’d at least say yes to this.

I swallowed down the urge to take it all back. “Of course.”

His smile stretched a little wider. “Thanks, Shoua. You’re the best.”

CHAPTER 6

shoua

Anthony always knew the right thing to say to get me out of my shell or to make me laugh or even to make me relaxed. I think much of it had to do with his wide, boxy, and boyish grin and the sweet, bubbling energy he consistently radiated. It had an effect on people and even more so on me this past year. Whatever favors or requests he asked of me, I’d scramble to fulfill.

But not the one from Tuesday night when he asked if I could be his fake girlfriend.No, I couldn’t.

No matter how many charming smiles he threw at me, I could never. Not when my heart raced at every booming laugh he let out or when he turned to me and just simply wore a soft smile. I couldn’t pretend when I was already practically putty in his hands, exactly like tonight.

From the corner of my eye, I caught the amused smirk he threw at me. But before I could turn to him, he leaned closer to me. Every inhale I took was of his cologne that had notes of bergamot and cedarwood. It had been his signature scent for the last decade after I gave him a bottle of it for his birthday when we were twenty.

My heart leaped to my throat as I felt the warmth of his breath against the shell of my ear. “Seems like tonight might be your lucky night, Shoua. There’s been at least two guys checking you out.” He chuckled lowly. “Someone’s about to be laid soon.”

I turned to glance at him as excitement danced in his eyes. They almost looked like amber as we sat in the middle of all the chatter and laughter of the Hellbound Brewing Company. Was this how he looked at that Amanda he hooked up with an entire week ago? My heart throbbed for a beating moment, and I scoffed softly at him.

“Sir, if you keep leaning into me like that, people are going to think I’m not single,” I countered as I placed my hands on his hard chest and pushed him back.

I could feel the shape of his hard-earned pecs under his form-fitting cotton shirt and almost gulped. I used to marvel at his muscles and poked at them whenever I noticed a significant change, and he’d happily show me the results of the hard work and discipline he put into his body.

But that was all before I had feelings for him. Now I hardly ever touched him or pointed out his gains the way I used to because I knew I’d gawk with desire, lust, and lots and lots of feelings I shouldn’t be having for my best friend. It would take only one moment for him to look and see the desire in my eyes, and he’d figure it out.

Anthony smiled to himself and shook his head as he scooted closer again. But not as close as he was before. Just enough to still whisper to me and for me to feel the warmth radiating from his skin.

“It’s fucking loud in here so what do they expect me to do? Yell it out to the whole world that you’ve been on the longest dry spell of your life? No way. I’m more chivalrous than that.”

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