Page 69 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

I sink deeper into the couch and focus very hard on my couch. Nice couch. Soft. Reliable. Would never abandon me. Maybe I should watch a cat video. Or reorganize my desktop folders. Or, I don’t know, take up knitting? People knit when they’re stressed, right?

Anything to keep my brain from circling back to my father.

“WOOF!”

Mochi’s bark cuts through the quiet. He bolts to the front door, tail wagging with the urgency of a small, furry fire alarm on a mission.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Just looking at his excited little face makes something warm bloom in my chest, pushing away the feelings I don’t want to feel again.

Mochi sits by the front door, tail wagging expectantly.

“What is it, buddy?” I kneel to scratch behind his ears. “You wanna go for a walk?”

Mochi tilts his head to one side, ears flopping.

“Missing your other parent?”

Mochi’s ears perk up instantly. He lets out a few barks, then paws at the door. I sigh, knowing exactly what—or rather who—he wants.

“But it’s late, and I can’t risk spending another minute with him. My heart’s already in too much danger.”

Mochi lets out a soft whine, giving me that soulful look that somehow manages to be both judgmental and adorable. His tail thumps against the floor once, twice.

“Don’t judge me.” I scoop Mochi into my arms, pressing my face into his soft fur. Having a dog with someone I love has always been a dream. The very first item on my Love Bucket List. I’m still not sure if Asher bringing him back and deciding to raise Mochi together was just a coincidence or if he actually did it on purpose after spotting my embarrassing list.

Asher can’t be someone I let myself love. But raising Mochi with him is almost perfect. Plus, it gives me excuses to spend more time with him.

If only we were actually living together, a real couple with a real home. No taking turns, no separate apartments, no goodbyes at the door. Just us, curled up on the couch with Mochi nestled between us, warm and safe.

A family.

But who am I kidding? I don’t even know what that looks like. Dad walked away before I ever got the chance to understand what a real family was.

I bury my nose in Mochi’s fur and pretend the thought never crossed my mind.

He lets out a whine, then wriggles free of my arms and lands on the floor with a soft thud, immediately pawing at the door again with increased urgency.

“Fine.”

Mochi does his happy dance as I knock on Asher’s door. I make sure to knock rather than use the door code he gave me because I have discipline.

Good discipline.

Discipline that absolutely, without question, prevents me from casually strolling in and finding him shirtless again.

Mochi prances excitedly at my feet, nearly tripping me just as Asher opens the door.

“Well, hello there,” Asher says, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He’s wearing gray sweatpants and a worn-in hoodie with the sleeves pushed up, his forearms doing entirely too much for a casual night in. His hair is slightly damp. He must have showered, too.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Before I can answer, Mochi darts between Asher’s legs and makes himself at home on the couch.

“Sorry,” I say, gesturing to our furry traitor. “He wouldn’t stop barking. I think he missed you.”

“Only Mochi?” Asher lifts an eyebrow, his lips curve into a slow smile that never fails to make my pulse race.

I roll my eyes to cover the sudden flutter in my chest. “Don’t push your luck, Collymore.”

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