Page 49 of Frosting and Flames

She nods. “Jae has a plan for another prank with me and you. It’s not a big deal if you don’t want to do it.” She shrugs. “The idea of messing with him is kind of fun, though.”

“Sure, lay it on me.”

“Okay, so we’d go to my house and pretend like we were coming home from a date. You stand so your back is close to the camera, so he can’t see anything, only hear us. And…” Her hands fidget in front of her, twisting together. “God, this is so stupid. Never mind.”

“No.” I reach out without thinking, squeezing her hand.

She looks down at our joined hands and I quickly let go. What the hell am I doing?

“What’s the prank?” I ask, hoping she lets it slide. “We’re coming home from a date and…” I gesture for her to give me more.

“Just, um…” She visibly swallows, not meeting my eye. “Flirt a little. As if we’re going inside to… you know…”

A wave of heat washes over me, and I curb my overeager impulse to grab my keys and drive us over to her house this instant.

She huffs out a laugh, an edge of disbelief to it. “Jae came up with this whole script.”

“Yeah?” It’s all I can seem to get out at the moment.

“Something about how I’m giggling telling you to stop because the neighbors will see us, as if you’re getting handsy. And then you say you can’t keep your hands off me. And I…” She falters slightly as she finally looks at me. I have no idea what she sees on my face, though I’m trying my best to stay neutral. “I say we have all night for that.”

I act as if I’m considering what she’s saying. “That could definitely work. Really fuck with his head.”

Her gaze travels over me. “You’d do it?”

I shrug a shoulder, praying it comes off as nonchalant. “Sure.”

“Oh.” She almost appears taken aback. “I didn’t think you’d actually agree.”

I nearly laugh. Why’d she ask me then?

She must read my mind because she says, “It’s crazy. Are you sure you want to be part of this?”

Am I sure I want any opportunity to spend more time with Rachel? Am I sure I want to flirt with her, even if it’s for pretend?

And am I sure I want to stick it to Kyle and make him think I’m sleeping with the best thing that ever happened to him before he screwed it all up?

Uh, yeah, I’m pretty sure.

“I’m sure,” I tell her. “When do we start?”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

RACHEL

We wait for Tanner to get home so there’s someone at the house to make sure the simmering chili doesn’t burn the place down, then take Nick’s truck over to my house. There are a million plot holes in our story that I silently obsess over during the ride.

If we’d been out on a date, why are we back so early? Why did I leave the house in my car, then come home in his? And later, once we make the cornbread, why will we both leave again?

“You okay?” Nick asks, reaching over to briefly touch my arm.

A few weeks ago, I would have shied away from the simple touch, but I actually find comfort in it now. Then again, we spent the whole time making chili practically in one another’s lap with how cramped the kitchen was.

“I’m fine,” I say, smoothing out the skirt of my dress. I’d worn something nicer than my usual fare on the off chance he agreed to this asinine plan. “Just rehearsing in my head.”

“Right. Tell me how it goes again?”

I glance over at him as I repeat Jae’s script, absent-mindedly noting the way his hands grip the steering wheel of his truck. They’re steady, strong, capable. Just like him. Hands that continually help the people of this town. Hands that have helped make cookies and washed dishes for me.

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