Page 36 of Introvert

"But we're not in love," I said.

"But you could be," she said.

I just stared at her.

"Come on, everyone loves a fake relationship."

"They'll never believe it."

"Oh, trust me. They will." Izzy ran a hand through her long hair. "With my help, you and Felix will be bigger than Romeo and Juliet."

"Pretty crappy ending."

"I'll work on it. So?"

Felix sat forward then. "Aurora's right."

My eyes snapped to his.

"They'll never buy it."

"Why not?" Izzy said.

He gestured to me. "Well, just look at her."

Heat suffused my cheeks as he studied me.

"No one's gonna believe someone like her would go for someone like me."

I frowned.

"She's too beautiful," he said.

"Felix," Izzy said.

"I'm serious."

"I know." She sighed. "That's what makes itso romantic."

Did Felix really just say…that? About me?

Beautiful.

I couldn't believe it.

Of my many issues, low self-esteem was not one of them. Iwas okay looking. I didn't hate my face or body. Honestly, Ididn't really think much about my appearance. But as his words echoed in my mind, it did not compute.

She's too beautiful.

I tried to stop it, but something in my chest stirred.

The words etched themselves onto my heart.

Like a secret.

Or a pretty lie that I would take to my grave.

I'd never had someone who wasn't family call me beautiful before.

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