Page 25 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

Elaine chuckles, already reaching for a mug. “Oh, just the look of lovesick desperation on your face. Coffee?”

Is it that obvious?

“Please,” I nod. “Make it strong.”

Elaine asks another employee to cover the counter and then joins Roxanne at the table.

“So,” Elaine prods, “spill it, Collymore. What’s our favorite matchmaker gone and done now?”

How do I explain that the only woman I’ve ever wanted wants to set me up with someone else? How do I not take that as a flashing neon sign that she probably doesn’t feel the same way? How do I still find a way to win her?

“It’s always been her.”

There’s a strange relief in finally saying it out loud. Even if it’s just to Elaine and Roxanne. Feels like unloading a weight I’ve carried for years.

“Finally!” Elaine nearly drops the mug as she leans forward, eyes wide enough to rival her display case of pastries.

“Oh look, he actually admits it.” Roxanne’s lips twitch as if she’s almost impressed. “Alert the media. Or should we start planning the parade?”

“Are you guys always waiting for this?”

“Absolutely! We’ve been watching you make puppy eyes at each other since middle school.” Elaine gestures so wildly with her coffee mug that Roxanne has to rescue the plate of pastries from its path.

“It’s painful, really. If I had a dollar for every time you both pretended there was nothing between you two, I could fund Isla’s entire matchmaking business.” Roxanne says.

“I bet Conner sees it!” Elaine exclaims.

Thank goodness Conner isn’t in town. Being Isla’s twin brother, he’s fiercely protective, even though he’s only older by one minute. Conner seems fine with me and Isla being friends, but who knows what he’d do if he found out I wanted to claim his sister’s heart?

“How about you and Conner?” I glance at Elaine. I’ve always sensed something was brewing between those two, even if they act like they want to bite each other every time they’re in the same room.

Elaine chokes on her latte so hard I half-rise from my seat.

“Conner?” Elaine wheezes. “It’s either him or me. Never mention him again.” The fire in Elaine’s eyes could melt snow faster than my gym’s sauna on full blast.

“I think you mentioned him first.” Roxanne pats her on the back.

“So, what is your plan now?” Elaine asks quickly, before I can dig deeper into her Conner-shaped weak spot.

“Show her how I feel. Break the friendship pact.” And be the one who fulfills her Love Bucket List.

“Finally,” Roxanne says.

“Okay, but wait—did you ever bring up the maybe-you-rejected-her situation to her? You know, after we texted you?” Elaine claps her hands once.

“Yeah. I tried. But she cut me off. Said she didn’t remember.”

Based on how she reacted last night, I’m pretty sure she remembers. She just really didn’t want to talk about it. Maybe because she regrets asking. Or maybe it just didn’t mean anything to her.

Elaine slumps back dramatically in her chair, like someone just told her the bakery was out of whipped cream. “Ouch. That’s complicated. But I’m calling it, she totally remembers.”

“I told you we should’ve just asked her ourselves,” Roxanne murmurs to Elaine, lowering her voice but not quite low enough. “She’ll never admit it to him.”

Elaine throws up both hands. “Fine! You were right.”

My coffee mug pauses halfway to my mouth. “What is happening right now?”

They look at each other. Roxanne gives the tiniest nod, like this is some secret girl code being activated.

---