Page 56 of The Friendly Fall

I take a moment to gather my thoughts, the weight of Eliza’s request sinking in.

I’m not oneto lie…

But…

I can’t deny the thrill that surges through me at the thought of being Eliza’s “boyfriend,” even if it’s just for show.

But I also have a gnawing sense of unease. Would I even be able to handlepretendingto be in a relationship with the girl I’ve secretly been pining over for months? Would I be able to keep my true feelings hidden?

Then the realization hits me.

Maybe this charade could be an opportunity to show Eliza the type of boyfriend I could be.

Suddenly, a spark of hope lights up inside me. This could be my chance to show her how much I care for her. To show her how much she means to me. To show her not all men are like her ex.

By “pretending” to be her boyfriend, maybe then, she’llfinallysee me as more than just a friend.

“I’ll do it,” I say, surprising even myself with the conviction in my voice.

A mixture of relief and gratitude flashes across Eliza’s face before she gives me a grateful hug. “Thank you, Nick. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

As we walk back toward the house, a plan begins to form in my mind.

Maybe this pretend relationship could turn into something real after all.

Chapter Twenty

Nick

“So … you’re going to Eliza’s this evening for their Thanksgiving?” Mom questions me as I carry an empty plate to the sink. I usually stuff myself, but this year, I could barely stomach most of the food.

I’m a freaking ball of nerves.

“Yeah, just to meet her parents,” I manage to mutter as I rinse my plate off.

“Ooh,” Mara joins in, holding her own plate in her hand. “That sounds serious. Are you two finally a thing?”

I shake myhead. “No.”

“But you’re meeting her parents,” Mara reasons, giving me a funny look. “I mean, I know that some people take their friends home for the holidays, but—”

“We’re just good friends,” I emphasize, just as much for me as for Mara. “She wants me to meet her parents, and yeah, I’m gonna go.”

“Eventually—”

“Not today,” I stop my mom from going there. “I know you mean well, but just … Just not today.”

Mom gives me a sympathetic look that registers with Mara.

“Well, I think she’s crazy for not seeing how amazing you are,” my sister encourages, putting her hand on my shoulder. “You’re a catch.”

“Thanks,” I reply, reaching for my glass of sweet tea sitting on the counter.

“Well, you know whatIthink,” Mom begins, folding her arms across her chest. “I think that you should just tell Eliza how you feel about her. I don’t think hiding your feelings and just being okay with being friends does anyone any good.”

Mara’s plate clatters in the sink as her eyes bounce between the two of us. “You mean, she doesn’t know you have feelings for her? I think it’s pretty obvious…”

“It is from the outside,” Mom answers before I can say anything. “But you know how it is when you’re the one caught up in it. It can be hard to decipher. Besides, Eliza was in a long, bad relationship. She might be extra leery about making assumptions.”

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