"Hey, Kent," a voice said behind me.
 
 My "just friends"backed away, but they didn't go far. Alexandria and Grayson weren't the only people watching either. I could see severalstudents and a few teachers had paused to watch the interaction between Sam and me.
 
 This was it.
 
 Phase one of the plan.
 
 When I turned, I was ready, in the zone, the fake romance zone that is.
 
 But then I got a look at Sam.He was smiling extra wide, and his eyes were round too, like a cartoon.My own expression nearly faltered, but I shook it off and stayed in character, as I rushed to close the gap between us. Keepingmy smile, I lowered my voice so only he could hear.
 
 "What's wrong with your face?" I whispered.
 
 "What do you mean?" Sam said, still smiling way too big.
 
 "You look crazy.Stopthat."
 
 "Do I?"
 
 "Your teeth are blinding everyone in a mile radius," I gritted out. "For goodness sake, Bishop, tone it down a notch."
 
 "But I'mreallyhappy to see you," he said.
 
 With a sigh, I shook my head. "Too much, far too many teeth."
 
 Sam's face went back to normal in the next breath. "This better?"
 
 "Yes, much," I said.
 
 "Hey, it was your idea to bust out the heart eyes," he said.
 
 I lifted a brow. "I believe I said to look happy."
 
 "Reallyhappy."
 
 "Okay, but the goal is to convince people we're in love," I said, "not scare small children."
 
 Sam laughed, but movement behind him caught my attention.Brisa was walking arm-and-arm with Cooper down the hall. They werecoming this way. My eyes widened, and I looked back at Sam with urgency.
 
 "Pick me up and spin me around," I said.
 
 "Huh?" Sam said.
 
 I put my hands on his shoulders and tried not to shiver as his hands went around my waist in response.
 
 Confession: The attempt failed.
 
 "Brisa and Cooper at 12 o'clock," I whispered as pleasurable shivers raced up and down my spine. "Pick me up and spin me. Like we're reuniting after a longtime apart."
 
 "You think that's realistic?"
 
 "I think it's romantic."
 
 Sam looked unconvinced.
 
 "Come on, Bishop," I said quickly. "Spin me. They'realmost here.You're supposed to be my boyfriend.Right?"
 
 He met my eyes and gave me a soft, genuine smile so unlike the one he'd been wearing before. "Anything for my girlfriend," he said.