Page 85 of Just One Fake Date

“I do. I was thinking of making a pitch to them for a bigger job, taking photos for an ad campaign for them.”

“Remind me again who’s the one making excuses to prolong this?”

Shannyn laughed. “If I get either or both freelance jobs, I can do them without seeing Tyler. He has a day job. I can easily avoid him.”

“But will you?”

“Yes.”

“Uh huh. I think we should add another rule.”

“Like what?”

“No poetry. I remember how you practically swooned when it was his turn to read aloud in that class.”

So did Shannyn.

“I think that’s a gimme. There’s so little call for 19th century romantic poetry in real life.”

“That’s fair. I have one more proposed rule,” Kirsten said. “I think you like provoking him.”

Shannyn smiled. “Guilty as charged. He’s so in control. I can’t help myself. I just want to push him over the edge. It’s a perfectly natural reaction.”

“Well, you’re not allowed,” Kirsten said. “It’s also a sign of attraction and you can bet that he knows it. If you were really indifferent to him, you wouldn’t notice or care about his mood.” Shannyn knew her friend was right. “That’s the final rule.”

“You’re taking all the fun out of it.”

“Fun is what’s going to get you into trouble. Fun is what you called me to avoid.”

“True.”

“If you want fun, forget this list and just go for it, savor this fake date until the bride throws her bouquet and the happy couple drive into the sunset. But if you’re trying to play it safe, you don’t get to give him a hard time.”

“I’m not sure I can do that.”

“Then get ready for him to respond. If you can hold your ground on no kisses and no sex then, I’ll salute you.”

“You think I have it bad?”

“I know you have it bad. You would never have suggested this fake date for sex otherwise. You’ve known all along that he was a nice guy, at least in your heart. That’s why you were sweet on him. That’s why it made you so angry that he never noticed you. You were insulted and hurt, and that’s why you called him out.”

Shannyn sighed, knowing her friend was right. “Tell him that and I’ll have to kill you.”

“I know.” It didn’t sound as if Kirsten was troubled by that possibility. “All the better that you’re not bringing him to the wedding. I might get in a mood for confessions and matchmaking.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Shannyn warned and they laughed together.

Then Kirsten cleared her throat. “There is something I have to tell you, too.” Her breathless tone reminded Shannyn of whispered confidences in the darkness of their dorm room. They’d met on the first day of college when assigned to share a room and had bonded instantly. They’d been best friends, though thick and thin, ever since.

“Okay, then tell me.”

Kirsten took a deep breath then her words burst forth. “I’m pregnant.”

Shannyn’s heart made a jump for her throat and for a minute, she couldn’t say anything.

“Are you okay with that?”

“Of course!” It was hard to sound cheerful with a lump in her throat, but Shannyn would be damned if she would let her own biological history get in the way of this friendship. “When’s the big day?

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