Page 87 of Once Upon a Fake Date

We’d kissed so many times, and yet, losing myself in this one was easy. Because it felt different.

There was a gravity here that I’d never felt before. Like maybe all this time, we’d just been circling around this. As if whatever trajectory we’d been on had been leading us here.

And I never wanted it to end.

CHAPTER 26

Parker

The venue for the sorority’s spring formal was decked out in decorations to match the Moonlight Masquerade theme they’d picked. Everything was midnight blue and silver, and everyone was grinding and dancing in the middle of the room, under a ceiling of twinkle lights that almost looked like stars.

There were sorority girls and their dates everywhere, most in long, floor-length dresses and carrying masks, but in all honesty, I barely noticed them.

I only had eyes for one girl.

The one on my arm, whose eyes were wide as she took in the decor. The one who looked like a fairy princess tonight in her pink dress that sparkled with each step.

Audrey’s sister was somewhere in the room—along with Cam, Ella’s boyfriend, whom I still hadn’t met—but I was content to just stay in our little bubble.

Because when it was just us, it was real. When other people were around, it was all an act. That felt backward, but it was true.

Some of her sorority sisters waved over at her, shouting her name. I recognized two of them as Suzie and Peggy, who I’d seen often over the last few months.

She gave me a tight smile. “I’m gonna go say hi.”

Audrey was one of the most outgoing, extroverted people I knew, but I also knew how draining it could be for her. How she felt like she had to be happy all the time. That her role was to be the peppy, cheerful one.

There was a reason I liked my space. That I took longer to make friends, to warm up with people. I was perfectly happy staying behind and reading a book instead of going out to clubs or parties. But for her, I’d gladly put on a suit and tie.

I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll go grab us something to drink, and then if you need me to rescue you, just give me the signal.”

Audrey raised her eyebrows. “What’s the signal?”

Chuckling, I leaned over, dropping my lips against her ear. “You’ll know,baby.”

Her cheeks turned the sweetest shade of pink as I walked away, heading to the refreshment table. I noticed she watched me go, her eyes glued to my ass.

I was definitely teasing her about that later.

“Having fun?” Ella asked me, coming to stand next to me.

“Depends on your definition of fun,” I laughed, watching Audrey talk in an animated fashion, her face practically glowing with happiness. “But yeah. I am.”

She gave me a small smile. “You’re good for her.”

“I hope so.” Filling a glass with punch, I took a sip. The likelihood that someone had spiked it, considering all the fraternity guys here, was high, so it was worth a taste test first.

My girl’s twin nudged my side. “No, you are. Audrey’s always smiling, but for a while there, I could see how sad she was behind it. And then you came back into her life, and she started laughing again. You mean a lot to her, Parker. You always have.”

“Thanks, Ella. She’s lucky to have you as a sister.”

Ella shook her head. “I’m the lucky one. She’s always been the one that dragged me along to everything. Even joining the sorority was Audrey’s idea. But I’m grateful because it led me here. If I hadn’t been president, who knows if Cam and I would have met or ended up together? And Cam… he’s it for me. I know he is.” She bit her lip. “Audrey’s got a big heart, but she’s also a hopeless romantic. She dreams big. Just… don’t break her heart, okay? I don’t know if she can pick up the pieces a second time.”

Don’t break her heart?“That’s the last thing I want,” I reassured her.

Not that Ella had any idea what we were really doing. How we’d promised each other that we wouldn’t fall in love with each other. That none of this was real.For her.

It was fake for her. Even if it wasn’t fake for me. Not anymore. It hadn’t been in a long time. Maybe not ever.

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