Page 52 of The Roommate Lie

It’s the “I want to have fun with you” part that gets me. Seven words have never hit me so hard or sunk in so deep. I know shedoesn’t mean anything by it, but that casual comment sparks behind my ribs. Lighting me up like a roadside flare on a dark night.

The rest of what she said takes a little extra time to sink in, but when it does, it’s a familiar argument. Alice is worried about all the things that have been bothering me for days, the same fears that have followed me around since I found out about that teaching job in town. What if our to-do list inspires the Victorian to keep going after me? What if spending more time with Alice ruins my chances at Ponderosa Elementary?

Yesterday, those fears would’ve been enough. I would have given up and played it safe. But today, Alice spent hours upset in my guest room. She needs help, and the words “I want to have fun with you” won’t stop echoing in my head. I’d take a lot of risks to keep hearing her say a thing like that.

The choice feels simple. “If it happens, it happens. If the Victorian costs me that job, so be it. I’ll survive.”

If I have to choose between spending six good days with Alice or that job, I’m going with Carrots every time. I’ve tried staying away from her since she got here; my days are just better when I don’t. I probably wasn’t going to get hired at Ponderosa Elementary anyway.

Alice studies my face, trying to figure out if I mean that, if I’d risk an entire job for our to-do list. I glance away, and her gaze drifts back to the scandal sheet.

“I just wish there was a way to beat the Victorian at her own game. To trick her into leaving us alone…or at least get her to only write what we want. Good stuff that won’t cost you that job.”

She pauses, drumming her fingers on the table. Deep in thought. “A way to make it clear you aren’t a rake at all—because you aren’t. You’re one of the kindest, sweetest guys I’ve ever met.”

Is she serious?

That’s the nicest thing any girl has ever said about me. Too nice. I can’t tell if I feel seen or if she’s giving me too much credit. But that’s not what really throws me.

I have the answer.

I know exactly how we could prove all those things to the good people of Ponderosa Falls. The Old Birds have been crowing about it for days.

I refuse to say it out loud. I promised myself I wouldn’t force fake dating on Alice. That is one tempting road I refuse to lead her down.

Luckily, she’s a romance author. Alice eats, sleeps, and breathes this stuff. She comes up with ideas like these for a living, and it doesn’t take her long to connect all those dots on her own.

She gasps. Adorably. “If the Victorian wants a scandal, why don’t we give her something sweet instead? The opposite of a scandal.”

“Something sweet?” I feign ignorance. Like a monster.

Alice nods. “We could give them a whole love story.”

A love story?

Carrots has taken fake dating to the extreme, and this time I really am surprised. I almost choke on my Dr. Pepper right in front of her. I don’t die, but I’ve definitely gone to heaven.

“It’ll be perfect,” she continues while I sputter for air. “We can give them a real-life Hallmark movie to swoon over. Something so sweet, no one could ever accuse you of being a rake. I bet we could get the entire town rooting for you.”

I doubt that.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to say no. Though before I can enjoy her idea too much, Alice’s face clouds. As if she’s already changed her mind.

“Wait—what am I thinking? I’m so sorry. Forget I said anything. I can’t even believe I suggested that. Lydia would’ve been so confused.”

“Lydia?”

“You two are great together. I mean, you aren’t technicallytogetheryet, but you should be. I’d hate to get in the way or upset her or?—”

Lydia?

I almost kissed Alice twice today.Twice. Before dinner, I had her cornered in the guest room. How can she still think I have feelings for Lydia?

“We’re just friends—we’re practically siblings. Ask her yourself.”

Alice gives me a dubious glance, but she doesn’t argue. “So you’d be okay with fake dating? You’re not with—you don’t—nobody would mind?”

“I’m free and clear. How about you, Kilpatrick? Are you sure you really want to do this?”

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