Page 49 of Once Upon a Fake Date

That it wasn’t all just for show.

CHAPTER 15

Audrey

Parker

What are you doing?

Audrey

Nothing, why?

Get dinner with me.

Are you asking me as my best friend or my fake boyfriend?

Boyfriend.

Wear something that makes you feel pretty.

See you at six.

Iblushed. He didn’t tell me towear something nice. No, he’d told me to wear something I felt good in, and that made a world of difference. Because I knew that when it came down to it, it didn’t matter to him what I wore. Not when he made comments likewhere’s your pinkand made me feel so seen.

Though I had no idea what he had planned, I pulled a dress out of my closet, wondering if he had any idea how he made me feel when he said things like that. How much the butterflies exploded in my chest.

It was only four, and I’d finished all of my classes for the day, giving me plenty of time to pull my hair up into a half-up, half-down up-do, swiping on my favorite shimmery eyeshadow and pink sparkly lip gloss. Since it was still cold outside, I pulled on a pair of warm-fleece lined tights under my dress before staring at the shoes in my closet.

Ella and I used to have all our clothes crammed inside, but when she moved out, she’d taken a lot with her. It was even more noticeable now how little variety I had in my clothes and colors. There was pink, a few pieces in purple, white, black, and tan. Sure, I had a few things in other pastel shades, but I liked what I liked.

Words Duke had said in the past came rushing to my brain.It’s too much. You shouldn’t wear pink all the time, babe. I rolled my eyes, thinking about how different the two men were.

How Parker had asked me where my pinkwas. Like he accepted it as a part of me. Like he knew it made me happy.

And it did. I smiled as I slipped my dress on over my head, smoothing out the skirt. It was a long-sleeved pink dress, with pearl accents on the sleeves and a tight-fitting skirt that clung to my curves, showing off my waist and hips. I’d bought it last year, but never had the occasion to wear it yet.

Maybe I’d just been waiting for an excuse like this.Our first date.Fake or not, we were going out.

After I’d finished getting dressed, I headed downstairs, pulling on my favorite white coat. I was really over the chilly weather. Spring couldn’t come soon enough.

A knock sounded at the door, and before I could head to open it, someone else did. It dawned on me that he could have texted me to tell me he was outside. But no. He’d come to the door, even knowing most of my sorority sisters would probably be home in the evening.

“Hey.”

And there he was. Parker, my best friend. Parker, my fake boyfriend. Dressed in a dark gray button up with black slacks, holding a pink bouquet of roses in his arms.

“Parker,” I whispered, my eyes darting back to the house where I was sure half the sorority was watching. “What are you doing?”

“Taking my girlfriend out on a date.” He grinned, a cocky smile that made my heart flutter.

Because damn, he was perfect. And one day, he’d do these things for someone else. I needed to remember that.

“These are beautiful.” I buried my nose in the flowers.

“Thought you’d like them. They reminded me of you, Rosie Girl.”

I blushed. “I should put them in water before we go.”

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