Page 75 of Faking It

More than anything, I’d love if Ana feels the same. If only she’d be ready for me, too. Ready to toss this fake arrangement aside. Ready for love. Ready tomake love. I want her to let go of whatever makes her hot for me one minute, then cold for me the next. I want her to consider a future with me.

Yeah, I said it.

I want a future with Ana Kent.

It should be weird that I feel so strongly about this, but after Saturday night, it’s no surprise. It’s more than the secrets that formed the bond between us, more than our undeniable chemistry, more than my need to see her smile. It’s the fact that for the first time in my life, there’s a woman that makes me feel at peace whenever she’s around.

But…

Knowing what I want means nothing if Ana is on an opposite wavelength. To date, there’s no sign that she feels anything more than attraction to me. Until I’m sure, I’ll keep my mouth shut. Keep my intentions hidden. I can’t afford to mess with what we have.

My knuckles rap on wood as I knock on Tori’s front door. She opens it within a minute, her eyes narrowing at me.

“Good afternoon?” I greet tentatively. She doesn’t look too pleased to see me.

“There’s nothing good about the afternoon. I’m debating whether to let you in,” she mutters.

“Is that so?” I query, a little thrown off. My eyes coast over her head, looking for Ana, but there’s no sign of her.

“Yes. You stole my best friend away.” She jabs her finger at me. “Ever since this fake arrangement, I hardly see her. She has no time for me. Thanks a lot,buddy.”

“I’m confused.” Wasn’t Tori on board with the arrangement, too?

“And I’m sick and tired of feeling like the third wheel,” she snaps.

I gape at her.

Tori glares at me, then her expression suddenly clears as she bursts out laughing. “You should see your face right now.”

My shoulders relax with a relieved sigh.

“Come on in, lover boy.” Tori steps aside. “She’s almost ready.”

Shaking my head, I follow her through the foyer and into a living room that’s tastefully decorated with off-white couches and a thick blue carpet covering the expansive floor. Blue-framed oil paintings hang against white walls. An entertainment center stands against the wall, with a huge flat screen TV propped on top. She sweeps her arm around the space as I bump my leg on the center table.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” she says.

“I wouldn’t call this humble,” I murmur, eyeing the velvet modular couch and seeing the quality there. I’ve been around luxury long enough to know when I’m looking at it. “You have a really nice place.”

“A result of hard work and tears, believe me.” She gestures to the modular, chuckling. “You can sit. I won’t charge you.”

With a nod, I take my seat. She sits on the loveseat across from me. Her leg bounces impatiently on the other as she stares at me.

“Whatever you’ve got to say, just say it,” I tell her.

Tori doesn’t respond right away, she just keeps staring. “It’s not a statement but a question,” she finally says.

“Well, ask.”

“What are your intentions for my best friend? Beyond this fake relationship, I should add.”

I lean back in the couch, regarding her with mild curiosity. “Who says I have other intentions?”

Tori shrugs. “She’s a beautiful girl. You’re a hot guy. There’s no way you’re not attracted to each other. There’s no way you want nothing more than pretending you’re dating Ana.”

“Did Ana tell you she wants more than pretend?” I press, curious. Girlfriends talk, don’t they? Who better to know what’s on Ana’s mind?

“That’s the thing. She’s telling me nothing.”

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