Page 15 of Fore-Ever Yours

“Are you normally this trusting of people you just met?”

“Not usually.” I move my finger across the screen, signing my name. “There. It’s signed and sent.” I open the notes app on my phone and start typing.

“What are you doing now?” he asks, peering at the screen.

“Ground rules,” I say without taking my eyes off the blinking cursor. “Rule #1: No public displays of affection beyond what is necessary to keep up appearances.”

“You mean like holding my hand when no one could see?” He smirks.

I roll my eyes and smack his shoulder. “That was necessary. I had to express what I verbally couldn’t. Which by the way, my dad is a total teddy bear.”

“Doesn’t make his growl any less intimidating.”

I laugh, my breath fogging up in the cool night air.

“Rule #2 is kind of an obvious one: No dating anyone else. We have to make this convincing, even though it’s not real.”

“That’s an easy one,” he says.

I tilt my head playfully, studying him. Matthew’s handsome and charming, the sort of man who could easily have a flock of women trailing after him.

“Even if I were looking to date someone right now, which I’m not, it would only be one. I’m a one woman kind of guy.”

I nod, then continue, “Rule #3: I get my own room.”

“Agreed.”

“And last but certainly not least, rule #4 No falling in love or real feelings.”

“I think that goes without saying, Beth.” He looks at me like this was an absurd and unnecessary rule.

“Have you never seen a rom-com? Or read a romance novel? This is the perfect scenario for real feelings to develop. We’ll be spending every day together, Matthew. But friends are the most we can be.”

He nods. “Any more rules?”

I chew on my lip in thought before sighing and shaking my head. “No more for now. Initial here.”

He chuckles as he types “MW” then I type “EM.”

“Good,” I say with a final nod, clicking my phone shut and tucking it securely back into my pocket.

Our gazes meet in the dim light of the moon. My mind trails to how this would play out if it were a fictional story. Meet-cute? Check. Physical Attraction? Check. Witty Banter? Check. Then we’d fall madly in love.

“Thank you for doing this, Beth,” he whispers. A breeze ripples through his hair, sending a few stray strands across his forehead but he doesn’t move to brush them away. “I know this is huge and...a little crazy.”

“But it’s the crazy things that make life interesting, right?” I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

“Right.” His mouth lifts into a soft, relieved smile. “See you tomorrow, Beth.”

“Goodnight, Matthew.”

I watch as he walks to his car, then I walk up the pathway. I open the door to reveal a dark house, my parents nowhere in sight. I’m shocked my mom isn’t waiting to hound me with questions. I quietly sneak to my room and close the door.

I’ve barely settled into bed when my phone buzzes. A picture of college freshmen Desi and Beth lights up my screen.

“Where have you been?” she yells. “What happened?”

“You wouldn’t believe me even if you wanted to.” I chuckle softly, running my fingers through my hair in an attempt to untangle the knots.

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