Page 88 of Once Upon a Fake Date

Because I’d wanted Audrey Rose ever since she walked back in my life.

“I care about her,” I told Ella. “I always have.”

When had I started loving her? I didn’t even know. All I knew was I’d felt this way for a long time. I’d loved her growing up, but it was different now. I wasinlove with her.

“I know.” She squeezed my shoulder, looking around the room. “I gotta get back to Cam, but have a good night. Take care of her.”

“Always,” I promised.

“Night, Parker.” Ella waved to me as I wandered back over to my girl.

I found her surrounded by even more girls than before, everyone laughing and smiling. I looped an arm around her waist, pulling her against me. “Having fun?” I whispered in her ear, holding out the drink I’d brought for her.

“Hi,baby,”Audrey said, taking the glass from me and sipping at the punch. The girls all giggled at our open display.

Pressing a kiss to her neck, I let her finish the drink before taking the empty glass and setting it on a nearby table.

“Want to dance?” I asked Audrey, holding out my hand to her.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Sorry, ladies.” I flashed them a perfect grin. “I’m going to steal away my girl now.”

“Have fun!” Suzie shouted after us.

“But not too much fun!” Peggy added on.

Audrey wrapped an arm around my waist, practically collapsing into a fit of giggles as we headed to the dance floor.

Once her hand was in mine, my other resting on her waist as she leaned against my shoulder, I took in her expression. Eyes bright, a sparkle in them as she stared up at me.

“You good, Audrey?”

She nodded. “Even better now. But thank you for saving me from the interrogation.”

“Of course.” I chuckled.

“They were asking me aboutyou, you know.”

“Oh?” Smirking, I pulled her in tighter against me. “What about, sunshine?”

She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “I’m not sure you want to know, Dream Boy.” Her voice was breathy, and damn, I liked it when she called me that.

“Oh, now Idefinitelyneed to know, Rosie Girl.”

She fiddled with my suit jacket as she hummed against me, both of us swaying in time with the music. “If you really must know, they brought up the night you stormed into the bar and carried me out of there. Pretty sure they were just jealous.” Audrey patted my chest like she was feeling me up. “I mean, have you seen yourself?” She whistled. “Whatever girl you end up with is going to be really lucky, Parker.”

“Right.” My face fell. Because the girl I wanted to be with was standing right in front of me.Fuck. How could she not know that I wanted her? That she was the only person I saw when I imagined my future?

Because you haven’t told her,my brain reminded me.Because you’re scared of losing her.

Both of those things were true.

We kept dancing, moving in a slow circle

“Anyway, I didn’t tell them about anything else between us.” Her cheeks were pink. Fuck me, why did I have to find it so damn adorable? “I didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea, you know.”

“And what is the wrong idea, Audrey?” I brushed my nose against hers. “Just so I know. So we’re on the same page.”

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