Page 6 of Summer Kisses

Hazel leaned back in her chair, creating more distance between us. "How will this look?"

"We'll pretend to be a loving couple. An engaged one, obviously. We'll help Mabel plan the engagement party, and as soon as I get the approval to be designated as kids' programming, we can break things off. I'll say it was my fault. I wasn't the right guy for you."

A pained look crossed her face. "We just got engaged, and we're already talking about breaking up."

I shrugged. "That's what we have to do. It's too late to back out now."

"Will we hold hands? Kiss?" Hazel asked, her brow furrowed.

Hazel preferred plans and organization, and I respected her need to know what to expect. "That sounds reasonable."

"You'll show up at work to take me to lunch and send me flowers?"

"Yeah. I can do that." But her requests were oddly specific. "Is this your wish list of what you want in a boyfriend?"

She let her head drop, her hair falling around her face, hiding her expression from me. "I have an idea of what I want. But no one has ever measured up. I wonder if my expectations are too high. I probably read too many romance novels."

I'd heard her complain about her dates over the years, and I'd mainly blocked it out. I didn't like to think of her dating at all. When she got a boyfriend, I usually jumped into my own dating scene to distract myself from what she was doing. It was a vicious cycle. But this was a nice change of pace. I could show her how I felt under the guise of a fake relationship.

I didn't let myself hope that it would make her think of me differently, as someone who could be more than a friend. I'd been friend-zoned for too long to hope for meaningful change. "I'll be the best boyfriend you've ever had."

Were her cheeks pink, or was that a reaction to the heat of the fire? "You're going to spoil me for all other guys."

I grinned. "That's the idea."

Hazel shook her head. "You know this is crazy. What if people don't believe us?"

"That's why we have to be seen together, touching and kissing. We need to sell them the story that we're friends who became lovers."

She covered her face with her hands. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Hazel was more comfortable not being the center of attention. She never participated in drama club or the school play. She didn't share herself with many people. I'd always felt honored that I got that, and I wouldn't let her down now. "It's going to be good for both of us. You'll see."

She lifted her head, her voice tentative. "Should we practice kissing?"

I almost blew her off, telling her we'd tackle that particular situation when it happened. But then I realized this was my opportunity to see if we had chemistry. What better moment than now? The night was warm, the breeze light.

I scrolled through my phone and hit Play on one of her favorite songs, and then I stood with my hand held out to her. "Will you dance with me?"

She laughed but placed her hand in mine.

I tugged her toward me so that she fell into my body. I steadied her with a hand on her back. When she slowly eased into the proper dancing position, I pulled her closer again. "We're dating, remember? We're supposed to enjoy being close."

Her gaze flicked away from mine. "I'm not going to survive this."

"I'm not that bad of a dancer," I teased, even though I was fairly sure she was talking about our physical proximity.

She gave me a look. "You know that's not what I meant."

I smoothed her hair over her shoulder. "It will be okay. I won't let anything happen to you."

She blinked up at me as if she couldn't figure me out.

But I was enjoying the feel of her in my arms. How good it felt to finally touch her. I could get used to this feeling. The one that held out hope for a future with Hazel.

Her gaze dropped to her ring finger.

But there was something about what happened at the bingo hall tonight that had me confused. "I have one question about that ring."

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