Page 96 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

“Open it.” My voice comes out rougher than intended. I clear my throat, watching her face as she lifts the lid.

Her fingers freeze on the velvet. There’s something in her eyes. A flash of wonder that transforms her entire face. The tight lines around her mouth soften, and her lips part slightly like she’s about to speak but can’t find the words. Her eyes widen, catching the light in a way that makes the flecks of gold in her hazel irises dance.

“Do you like it?” I ask, my eyes fixed on her face, cataloging every micro-expression.

She reaches up to touch her necklace. “I—yes.”

Relief floods through me. The corner of my mouth lifts. “Turn around. Let me help you with that.”

“It’s too much, I can’t—”

I step closer, lowering my head to her ear. “Turn around, please.”

Her lips part like she wants to argue, but she doesn’t. Instead, she swallows and slowly turns.

“Good girl.”

Her sharp inhale is almost inaudible, but I feel it more than I hear it. She snaps her head back, eyes flashing, but I catch her chin gently, guiding her gaze forward again.

I gather her hair to one side, fingers threading through the soft waves.So soft. The sight of her exposed neck makes my mouth go dry. I step closer, close enough to catch the scent of her perfume—vanilla and something floral. My hands are steady as I remove her old necklace, years of training my body not to betray me around her finally paying off.

The new necklace slides around her neck, and I focus intently on the clasp, using the task to ground myself. My knuckles brush against her skin, and I feel her slight shiver.

“There,” I murmur, turning her back to face me.

“Perfect fit,” she says, looking down at the necklace. Her voice is barely a whisper, warm breath grazing my chest.

“Always has been.” My fingers trail down to her shoulders as she looks up at me. The space between us feels charged, alive with something neither of us is brave enough to name.

Her hand goes to my suit, smoothing the slight wrinkle out. The touch is light, but it sends a slow, steady heat curling through my chest.

Her big hazel eyes lock onto mine, searching like she can see straight through me, straight into the parts of me I’ve never said out loud.

We don’t move.

I can hear her breathing, slightly uneven, matching my own.

“Oh my goodness,” Elaine whispers not so quietly to Roxanne. “Should we leave?”

“I think so.” Roxanne scoops up Mochi. “Don’t worry about Mochi, I’ll keep him tonight.”

Isla steps back quickly, a light flush creeping up her face. “Thank you, guys. See you in a bit.”

Elaine shoots me a thumbs-up, while Roxanne pats Isla’s shoulder, her smirk sayingyou’re on your own nowas they step out of the doorway.

I clear my throat, but my eyes refuse to move from hers. “So, promise me you’ll keep the necklace?”

“Yes.” She presses her fingers lightly against the delicate chain. A small, bright twinkle lights up her hazel eyes. “Thank you, Collybear.”

I’ve spent years memorizing every expression she makes, but this one? Seeing something she wants and allowing herself to want it? This might be my favorite yet.

I swallow past the tightness in my chest. “Ready to go?”

She nods, reaching for her purse, but stumbles slightly. I catch her, then offer my arm with an exaggerated bow, falling back on gallantry to mask how badly I want to pull her close.

“Rule number three,” I murmur as she slips her hand into the crook of my elbow. “Always escort your date properly.”

“You actually memorized my matchmaking rules?” A blush creeps up her neck as I cover her hand with mine, keeping her close.

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