Page 67 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

“Look at me.”

She doesn’t. Which means she’s hurting more than she wants me to see.

“Peachie.” I squeeze her hand gently. When she still won’t look up, I reach over with my free hand, cupping her face and tilting it toward mine. Her pulse jumps beneath my palm. “Please.”

My thumb brushes along her cheekbone. She finally looks up.

“I don’t think it’s because ofyou. And it’s definitely not because you aren’t good enough. Your previous methods work because you see people. Reallyseethem.”

I slide my hand from her face to the nape of her neck, fingers tangling in the soft curls there. A shaky breath escapes her as I massage the tension from her muscles.

“You see them beyond the surface. Beyond their achievements, beyond their looks. You know who orders extra whipped cream on their coffee but pretends they don’t. Who volunteers at the animal shelter on weekends.” I keep my voice soft. “You understand that connection isn’t about perfection. It’s about seeing someone. Reallyseeingthem.”

I rest my forehead against hers, close enough to feel her uneven breaths.

“Look at Eric and Samantha tonight. Sure, Samantha’s beautiful. Polished. But I didn’t feel anything. And I don’t care how smart she is.”

“But Diane’s algorithm—”

“Diane is Diane, and you are you. You’ve got something special she doesn’t. You really see people. That’s why your method works. Sure, you can tweak things, we all can, but don’t change who you are.”

I pull my hand back slowly, dragging my fingers down her palm before letting go. For a second, she holds on before she lets go.

Okay. That’s official. She feels this. Same as I do.

“Tell me something. Did Eric ever make you blush? Make you laugh so hard you snorted coffee through your nose?”

That gets a smile. She scrunches her nose like she wants to be annoyed but can’t quite manage it.

“You’re the worst.”

“And still your favorite.”

“Thanks, Collybear.” Her voice softens. “What would I do without my . . . best friend?” Her voice dips on the last word. And her smile falters for a second.

Just a little. But I see it.

I remember the way she pulled back at the gym. The look on her face that day by the lake. How she thought I’d rejected her.

What I said. What I didn’t say.

Time to take a risk. Make sure she knows exactly what I meant.

Chapter 18

Isla

DIANE

Just checking in. How was the date? Any promising sparks?

ISLA

Seems like my date was more into Asher’s date.

DIANE

Oh dear. That’s . . . efficient, I suppose.

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