Page 33 of Once Upon a Fake Date

“Parker,” I said softly, and he looked up at me from munching on his sandwich.

“Hm?”

“How would we do this?”

“Do what?”

I shrugged. “Fake date. You know. Pretend to be together. We didn’t exactly iron out all the specifics.” Wrinkling my nose, I avoided his gaze. “If you’re going to be in the musical with me, we really have to sell it. Otherwise, Duke is going to know, and he’ll be suspicious.”

The last thing I needed was him giving me hell because he found out it was fake.

Standing up, he came and sat down next to me, sandwich forgotten. His face was serious.

“If we do this,” I whispered, “We can’t tell anyone it’s fake.”

“What about your sister?”

Ella would understand. Eventually. I hated keeping this from her, but I knew in my gut we had to do this. So I shook my head. “Her either. She’s so wrapped up in Cam, and I just…” I didn’t want her to pity me.

“Okay. I won’t tell anyone.” He reached over, squeezing my knee. “So we’re doing this?”

“Yeah.” I let out a breath. It felt like I hadn’t taken a full one in weeks and could finally breathe again. “Yeah. If you’re still up for it.”

“Of course I am, Rosie. It would be an honor to be your fake boyfriend.”

I giggled. “Don’t go falling in love with me now,” I joked.

His face fell. “Audrey.”

I nudged him with my shoulder. “I was trying to be funny.”

Parker massaged his temples like he was trying to find his patience. “Sure, sunshine. But you can’t fall in love with me either.”

“Not a problem,” I answered. “You’re my best friend. I won’t let this get messy.”

He nodded, and then we both resumed eating, neither of us making eye contact.

Parker Maxwell was my best friend.

And, after today… my fake boyfriend.

CHAPTER 10

Parker

FEBRUARY

Everything was normal. My first lacrosse game was later this week, and classes were going well. The only thing that was different was the girl lying across my bed, studying the script in her hands.

My best friend. And as of last week, myfakegirlfriend.

I sat at my desk, trying to figure out exactly how we’d gotten here. Somehow, it all felt so surreal. Even before, when we were friends, we didn’t hang out like this. We met up for meals in the dining hall and walked around campus together, but I’d never had her in my space before.

Not like this.

On my bed.

With the door closed.

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