Page 31 of Once Upon a Fake Date

“Well, we sort of lost touch for a while.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear absentmindedly. “But we grew up together. He just transferred to CU in the fall.” Snapping a picture of the list on my phone so I could show Parker later, I nodded to them. “Gotta get to class. See you later.”

“See you at rehearsals!” Laura called out as I started walking towards the hallway. “You’re going to be amazing, Little Rose!”

I blushed as I headed into class, trying not to think about how the nickname they’d given me freshman year was oddly reminiscent of Parker’s childhood nickname for me.

Not that I’d thought about it until this point.

Pulling out my phone, I typed a message to my sister.

Audrey

Parker’s going to do it.

Ella

Sorry, do what?

Be the lead in the musical with me.

Do you think he’ll fit in the costume?

Oh.

I think so? I’d have to measure him to be sure, though.

Okay. The costumes are all in the studio, right?

Yup. I have a few finishing touches to put on before dress rehearsals start, but other than that, they’re almost completely done.

You’re the best. What would I do without you?

Definitely not be so fashionably dressed.

Speaking of, have you seen my white sweater with the little bows on it? I wanted to wear it.

Why? Have a hot date?

Maybe…

I borrowed it. I’ll bring it up when I’m back at the house.

Thanks.

Grinning,I held up the piece of paper in my hand as Parker walked towards the sorority house. He’d just come from the gym, and his hair was damp. It was hard not to appreciate him like this. Especially when his black long-sleeved t-shirt was clinging to his arms, showing off every well-earned torso of his upper body.

Damn, if lacrosse made guys that buff, maybe I’d enjoy his games more than I thought.

“What’s that?” Parker asked, raising an eyebrow at the paper I was waving in the air.

I’d printed it out from the email I’d gotten when I got back from class because there was just something about seeing it in physical form. Plus, I wanted it for my scrapbook. I had an entire box of momentos I’d kept from the school year to use in it over the summer.

A grin spread over my face. “The cast list for the musical.”

“They put it up?” He looked unsure, and after the way he sang a few days ago, I didn’t know why. God, he had no idea how good he was. His voice was deep, a beautiful baritone—nothing like how he’d sounded when we were kids.

I nodded, a grin splitting my face. “You got it!” Squealing, I ran to close the distance between us and threw my arms around him.

He wrapped an arm around my back, crushing me to him.

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