Page 98 of The Problem with Dating

His voice felt like pins and needles against my skin. “Says the man who drops her off at his mother’s house every single time we exchange.”

The shock in his eyes showed his guilt. “Listen—”

“I don’t care. I don’t want to hear your lies and excuses. Goodbye, Cole.”

I walked off before he could reply, but I could feel his aggression with every step I took. As I walked home, I felt as if a slight weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

CHAPTER27

Yara

From my point of view, Alex’s and my fake relationship was off to a great start. During my walks with him and Feliz, we’d be stopped time and time again by townspeople. They’d engage in conversations with the two of us, and I gladly chatted away. It was often just small talk. Nothing massive. Just simple mindless chatter.

I slowly started noticing the shift in Alex, though, every time a conversation took place. His scowls deepened whenever someone would ask him how he’d been, or mention the weather, or bring up sports. The wrinkles in his forehead intensified as his eyes narrowed in irritation.

When Tim from the local bank asked Alex if he was going to open an account soon and offered some deals, Alex stared him straight in his eyes and said, “I can’t do this shit.” He proceeded to walk away, stomping his feet the whole time as he turned the corner, leaving Tim and I dazed and confused.

“He’s kind of cranky, huh?” Tim asked, stunned by my fake boyfriend’s abrupt exit.

I pushed out a smile. “Sorry, Tim. We’ll catch up later, okay?”

I hurried around the corner with Feliz to find an ill-tempered Alex, raking his hands through his hair.

“What the heck was that?” I asked.

He turned toward me with a look of defeat. “I can’t do this.”

“Can’t do what?”

“This whole fake dating thing. I’m not built for this, Yara.”

I lowered my brows, bewildered. “I’m sorry…did I miss something? Is there a problem?”

“Yes!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration. “There’s a huge fucking problem.”

“With?”

“You!” he blurted out.

My chest tightened. I stood straighter. “There’s a problem with me?”

“No.” he shook his head and sighed. He gestured toward me. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

“Oh. Okay. Cool.” I let out a sigh, somewhat relieved. That was until he continued speaking.

“There’s a problem withdatingyou,” he said.

“Uh, I don’t know if I should be offended by this or—”

“No, don’t be. I’m explaining it wrong.” He grumbled a little and pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to gather his thoughts. “The problem with dating isyou.”

“Okay. Definitely offended now.”

“No.” He stepped closer and crossed his arms. “The problem with datingyouis that you’re datingme.”

“If you’re trying to confuse me, Alex, it’s working.”

“You don’t get it. You’re a good person, Yara.”

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