Page 32 of Play Pretend

I’d wrestled with myself all night. A part of me wanted to do it, not just because it would help her, but it might be a good way for me to practice dating. Then, after her family left, I could find someone to really settle down with.

Having low-pressure practice sounded like a good idea.

But it also sounded like a nightmare. Because what if she fell for me? What if I fell for her? It would end in tears and heartbreak, and I didn’t know if I could handle that.

“Don’t hurt yourself thinking too hard,” Trinity said, pulling me from my thoughts. I blinked, realizing my brows were bunched so tightly together, I felt a headache forming at the front of my skull. I relaxed my forehead, feeling immediate relief. “So, what is it?”

I took a deep breath. “If I tell you, it doesn’t leave this office. I’m serious, Trinity.”

She perked up as she nodded. “Of course. I can keep a secret.”

Yeah, I doubted that. And because of that, I had to tell her a variation of the truth. The full truth would get out eventually, and I needed to spare both of us the drama.

“Willow came over last night and asked me out,” I said, shrugging. Trin’s jaw hit the floor. “What?”

“No way,” she breathed.

“She brought a basket of baked goods and?—”

“No. Way.”

I looked around the office. I wasn’t sure what else to say.

“Oh my god. What did you tell her? Where are you going? What are you going to wear? When is it? Oh my god, we need to go shopping.” She leapt to her feet, ready to head out.

“Settle down.” I waved back at her chair, and she reluctantly sat. “I told her no.”

She just stared at me.

She stared at me as if I had a million heads sprouting from my neck.

“Why in the world would you tell her no?” she asked, the shock clear in her voice.

“She’s my neighbor,” I began, and she rolled her eyes. “And I’m not looking to date right now.”

“Oh, get over yourself.” She groaned, dropping back into the chair. “Just go on a date with her. She’s cute and funny. She’s acatch—probably the best you’ll do around here. All the good ones are either taken or grew up with you.”

That was true. They were my classmates from kindergarten all the way to our senior year of high school. Growing up with people tended to make you not want to date them later in life. You knew all their secrets, saw them grow through their awkward phase, knew every detail of their life already. There was nothing new. Nothing exciting.

But I didn’t know Willow.

No one really did.

Other than working at the bakery and loving the lighthouse, she was a mystery.

“Just do it,” Trin continued. “No harm. No foul. If you don’t like her, then don’t go on another date.” She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.

What did she even know, though? She’d never had a boyfriend. From what I knew, she’d never even been on a date.

“I can lend you some books, too. You know, so you can take notes on how to be the perfect man.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and I rolled my eyes.

“I’ve read one too many of your romance novels,” I muttered.

“Does that mean you’ll go out with her?”

I blinked. “That’s not what I said.”

“But you didn’tnotsay it.”

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