Page 6 of Not Fooling Anyone

He touches the edge of my shoulder softly. “I’d be your friend, Lexie.”

I shut my eyes, swallowing past the sudden hot lump in my throat. Maybe he’s being genuine. Maybe he really does want to be my friend.

Yeah, and maybe pigs fly. Meatheads only have two things on their mind—fighting and fucking. And I’m not interested in either.

He’s silent after that, so quiet I can’t even be sure he’s still behind me as the line inches forward, except for that sixth sense on the back of my neck that prickles the hairs there.

Dr. Clark’s face is weary as I finally reach her, and she holds up a hand before I can open my mouth. “I’m sorry, the guy in front of you filled the last slot. I had no idea so many of you would be interested.”

My stomach drops. Not that twenty bucks is a great loss, but I need money if my next shift at Element isn’t till Monday and Marty isn’t paying me yet. “Are there any more studies? Maybe in a different department or something?”

She tilts her head thoughtfully, blonde ponytail swinging. “You know, we do have one other study. But it’s a lot more involved. You’re required to report once a week for six weeks, and it pays two thousand dollars.”

Holy crap. Sign me up.

“Well, a thousand for each partner,” she clarifies.

“Partner?”

“It’s a study on love. You and your significant other will take part in a series of scans, tests, and self-reports as they measure levels of hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain activity. Are you in a relationship?”

Definitely not. “I, um, yes. I am,” I blurt out. Wait, I am?

“Great. The sooner you can get your partner here, the sooner I’ll sign you up before the spots in the study fill up. I’ll offer it to everyone else still waiting in line, too.”

Oh God. That money would help so much. Besides food, if one more thing goes wrong with my car, I don’t know how I’ll pay for it. “He’s, um… he’s here with me now.” I turn around and grab onto Ethan’s arm like it’s a lifeline. “This is my boyfriend.”

Please let him go along with it. Not that I deserve it at all. I’ve been nothing but rude to him.

He looks down at me, amusement flickering in his eyes as his mouth stretches in a wide grin. I bet he’s loving this.

“Boyfriend?” he asks, the moments afterward seeming to extend endlessly. My stomach sinks as my chance for extra money slips through my fingers. “Only boyfriend? I thought I was the love of your life.”

The tension in me loosens as relief pours through me. He’s a real comedian, all right.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

CHAPTERTWO

ETHAN

“We need to talk.”

Wow, just what every guy wants to hear five minutes into his new fake relationship. “Are you breaking up with me? And just when I thought we were having a real breakthrough.”

Those full lips of hers twitch, even as she rolls her eyes, but she stays silent as she steers me over to the corner of the lecture hall, her arm still linked with mine, and waits until we’re out of earshot of others to whisper, “We have to come up with a game plan.”

“I think what you meant to say wasthank you, Ethan. You’re my hero.”

She blinks up at me and lets go of my arm, crossing her arms over her chest. She’s got this shapeless black hoodie on, the same as last night, but her face is clear of the heavy makeup today, her hazel eyes filled with annoyance.

“Thank you,” she mutters. I don’t doubt her sincerity, but I still can’t help teasing her a little all the same.

“Was that painful? You looked like you were in pain saying that.”

Her mouth tilts up at the corners for the briefest moment before she stops herself. “I’m being serious here. I really am grateful. I just don’t… I don’t like being in anyone’s debt.” She looks down, the smallest bit of vulnerability seeping through before she clears her throat, looking back up at me. “How about I tutor you so we’re even?”

Tutor me? She honestly thinks I’m a meathead. I shrug, inwardly grinning. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she finds out the truth. “Sure. I never turn down free help.”

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