Page 52 of The Fake Date Agreement

He stares at me some more. “I just had you pressed up against me. You think a guy can fake a hard-on?”

“Yes.” I think about it. “Maybe?” He raises an eyebrow. “Nooo?”

“Jeez, we’re not machines.”

He points downward. “Thatis only stirred to life by a woman I find attractive. That’s it.” He pauses. “And occasionally when my zip rubs against my…” He shakes his head, stopping right before he gets to a good part. “The rest isn’t important.”

I study him for a bit. He seems sincere, so I nod. “Okay.” I turn around. “Well, since we’ve done this skating thing now. Maybe?—”

“Not so fast.”

He tugs me, but it’s too late. I’m gripping the side, and I’m never letting go.

He pulls harder.

I hug the wall.

“You could teach the defense a thing or two about holding firm, Giggles. Let go.”

I peer over my shoulder at him. “What did you call me?”

“You heard me. Let’s go.”

“You only heard me giggle once,” I tell him as I cling to the side like I need it to breathe.

“And once was more than enough for me to know it was the cutest giggle in the world. I want to hear it again.”

“It wasn’t cute.” I release one hand and poke him in the side. He drops me and takes a small step back, and I swear he clamps his arms tight to his sides.

My eyes narrow. “Are you ticklish?”

“No.”

“Hmm…” I stretch my arm toward him, and he backs up so fast there’s no way I’m not instantly suspicious. “You’re ticklish too. Come back here.”

“No.”

I eye him across the ice.

He does the same, and a smile transforms his face. “I’ll let you tickle me if you skate to me.”

“But gravity doesn’t like me.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“Did you not see the way my legs just went in opposite directions?” I shake my head. “I can’t do it.”

“You’re afraid of falling.”

“As any sane person should be.”

“Everyone falls, Tobie.”

But not everyone gets back up again.

I’m used to living life safely. I lost my mom, and Dad lost the love of his life. If life has taught me anything, it’s how fast the things you love can be taken away.

Risks are scary.

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