Page 24 of The Love Trick

Addy elbows me. “Right here.”

I swallow hard. “In the flesh.”

“Wow.” Her brows skyrocket as she takes a step back, as if she’s taking us in for the first time. “Okay.”

“Blazeis your boyfriend?” Her sister pushes through the family. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Addy calls back, and I can hear the nerves in her voice. “He is.”

I take a step closer to her, my arm brushing hers. The touch sends a tingle up my spine, but I ignore that, blaming it on nerves.

Addy looks up at me, her eyes slightly wider than before. But I just smile at her, because if she was myrealgirlfriend, I’d want to be this close.

Before anyone else can say anything, Addy’s dad chimes in. “Alright, we’ve seen it. It’s time to go. We’ve got a flight to catch. You all can gawk over Addy and Blaze on the flight.”

Thank goodness.I always knew I liked her dad.

“Crisis avoided,” Addy mutters as we fall in line behind everyone else. I glance ahead of us, noting her two grandmothers whispering to each other and looking back at us. I blow out a sharp breath and glance down at Addy, who doesn’t seem to notice.

“Do we have time to grab a coffee before the flight?” I ask her as soon as we’ve made it through security. As if caffeine is going to help the nerves that are currently rattling my ribs, but…

“I guess.” Addy’s breath comes out shaky. She gives me a sheepish smile. “I’m so nervous right now.”

“Ditto.”

She cocks her head at me. “You’re nervous?”

“Yeah, of course, I am.” I chuckle. “I saw the judgmental stares and whispers. I know I’m not up to their standards.”

“Well, for the record,Ithink you’re perfect.” Addy turns her attention to the line outside of the airport coffee shop, and I’m left staring at the back of her head, trying to make sense of how her words just affected me.

She thinks I’m perfect?

Why does that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

What’s wrong with me?

I choose to stay quiet as we wait in line at the coffee stand. When we finally reach the counter, we give the barista our orders, and I swipe my card to pay for the drinks.

And now,Addy’s glaring at me.

Uh oh.

“I was going to pay for that,” she snaps. “I’m the one who dragged you here. It’s only right.”

I make a face. “I always pay…”

“Great, now you make it sound like I never—”

“Addy,” I stop her, holding out her drink. “Don’t make this weird. Just take your coffee.”

She huffs but takes it. “I just don’t want you to see this whole trip as a burden. So, just let me pay for things, okay? Like, I’ve saved up for this.”

I frown. “No.”

“Why?” She throws out a hand as we start heading toward the gate. “Please just let me do this.”

“If I was your boyfriend, I would never let you pay for anything,” I say flatly. “I’m not going to be caught letting my girlfriend pay for things when I’m here.”

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