Page 66 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

“MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! OH MY GOODNESS, SOMEONE, MAKE IT STOOOOOP!” Isla wails at top volume, as if trying to drown out the narrator’s sultry voice with sheer panic. Her face goes through every shade of red known to mankind, looking adorably mortified as she jabs randomly at her phone screen with the precision of someone swatting at a bee in a ballgown.

I reach over and turn down the speaker volume, ending the passionate declaration mid-growl as we stop at a red light. The biker, James, next to us, does a double-take, his helmet whipping back and forth between me and Isla.

“Nice choice, man!” the biker yells through his helmet.

Isla slumps lower in her seat. I’m sure she’s trying to determine whether the airbag would hide her if she headbutts the dashboard hard enough.

The light turns green. The biker roars away, still grinning.

An awkward silence fills the car. Isla has buried her face in her hands, peeking through her fingers like she’s watching a horror movie.

“So . . .” I clear my throat, fighting back laughter. “Enjoying the audiobook version too, huh? Though I have to say, that scene was pretty familiar. Didn’t realize you were such a fan of, what was it?”

She lets out a noise that sounds like a dying whale. “I hate you so much right now.”

“No, you don’t. But I have to ask, how do Jake’s forearms compare to mine?” I flex just enough to make the muscles ripple beneath the surface.

Her eyes track the movement like she’s hypnotized. She licks her lips and her gaze darts from my forearm to my face and back again. The sight makes my blood run hot.

Another point for the scoreboard. No way she looks at me like that and still calls it just friendship.

“I don’t know.” Her voice shatters a bit.

“Want to feel again and decide?”

“No.” She shrinks back against her seat, but her head turns my way every few seconds. I thought bench-pressing 300 pounds was hard, but trying to focus on driving while she keeps sneaking glances at me is the real test of strength.

“Why did you read that book?” Her voice comes out small, fingers twisting the hem of her dress like she always does when she’s nervous.

“Because you seem to like it.” My voice comes out husky.

“Most guys would think it’s a waste of time.”

“I’m interested in what you’re interested in.”

Her lips part slightly, and I reach over to rescue the dress hem away from her nervous fingers. I grip the steering wheel harder with my other hand to keep from interlacing our fingers properly. Twenty years of friendship, and I’ve never been more aware of how small the space between us is, or how much I want to close it.

“Okay, well, that’s . . . very thoughtful.”

I drag my hand back to the wheel like it weighs a ton, muscles tensed like I’m fighting a heavyweight. The engine hums beneath us, but it can’t drown out the electricity crackling in the inches between us.

“Ash.” Her voice comes out soft, uncertain.

“Yeah?”

“I’m happy for Samantha and Eric. I really am. But . . . a part of me feels embarrassed.” She shakes her head. “Actually, never mind. It’s stupid. I just—I feel a little bitter, I guess.”

“So what is it?”

“I didn’t have feelings for Eric, but it still kind of stings. Like I’m the kind of person no one picks.” She lets out a small laugh. “And the worst part? I still can’t even find the right person for you. You’re my best friend—if anyone should know, it’s me.”

The way she tries to keep her voice light makes my chest ache. She’s the kind of person who hands out sunshine like candy but tucks her own storms out of sight so no one has to feel the rain.

I pull the car over, killing the engine. The sudden silence wraps around us like a physical thing, broken only by the soft patter of rain starting to fall.

“No, it’s fine.” She waves her hand dismissively. “I mean, clearly, I’m not good at this whole love thing. Can’t even figure out my own relationships, let alone help anyone else’s.”

I unbuckle my seatbelt and turn fully toward her. My hand finds hers in the darkness, and she startles at the contact but doesn’t pull away.

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