Page 60 of Once Upon a Fake Date

It was okay. We won, but lost the lead a few times. Definitely not where I would have liked to be.

Oh.

What about you? How was your night?

Good. At a frat party with Ella and some of the girls. Wish you were here.

So you *do* miss me.

Shut up.

Make me, sunshine.

I was smiling at my phone as I laid on my hotel room bed. It was ridiculous how much I enjoyed talking to her when, with everyone else, I’d rather just hole up in my room and read a book or play a video game. I had a new fantasy novel on my bedside table—one I hadn’t even touched on this road trip, because I’d been too busy texting my girl.

Parker

Call me when you’re back from the party. I want to hear your voice.

Audrey

Don’t you need to get some sleep? I thought you had an early bus ride home.

Doesn’t matter. Call me anyway.

A few minutes later, my phone rang, and I barely even let it ring once before I’d picked up.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” Audrey sounded breathless. “I’m just leaving now.”

Rolling over to lay on my back, I stared up at the ceiling. “You didn’t have to leave just to talk to me.”

“Eh. I was ready to leave, anyway. Besides, it was winding down.”

“Gotcha. Anything fun happen?”

“Not really. Cam’s friend Adam bumped into a girl and accidentally spilled his entire cup of beer on her, and now I’m pretty sure she hates him.”

“The one that was on the ski trip with you?”

“Yeah,” she responded. “He’s the ginger haired one. Anyway, I definitely didn’t miss the heat between them. Or the way Adam’s gaze lingered on her as she stormed out. They would be the perfect enemies to lovers story if you ask me.”

I burst out laughing. “What?”

“You know? It’s a super common trope, especially in romance novels. It’s even better in fantasy when they’re actual enemies. The line between love and hate isn’t far apart.” Audrey let out a dreamy sigh.

“And you want something like that?” I asked, hating myself just for saying it. But damn if I didn’t want to know her every fantasy. Her dream guy.

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and then Audrey said, her voice a little rough. “No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure I could do the enemies part.” Her voice grew quiet. “I get my feelings hurt too easily.”

“Rosie…” I murmured, wishing I was there next to her.

“Besides, I think after Duke, I need to be friends with someone first. Otherwise, I don’t know if I’d trust them not to hurt me.”

“But you trust me, right?” I held my breath.

Her response was instant. “Of course, Parker. I’d trust you with anything. You’re my best friend.”

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