Page 29 of Faking Forever 1
“Dating.”
She retakes my hand, interlocking our fingers as she holds them up. Once I opened my eyes, I could see multiple people watching, making me feel fiery hot in the face. How could she be so bold about that and not even second-guess herself?
With me, of all people?
“Okay,Barbie. I guess you proved your point.” Darcy says, grabbing Nick’s arm. Let’s go.” She adds, glaring at me now.
With that, they both begin to walk away, Darcy pretty much dragging Nick alongside her.
“Holy shit…” Paisley says, still holding my hand.
Feeling the sense knock back into me, I look around sporadically before squeezing Paisley’s hand, beginning to walk to a more secluded place.
“Wait—where are we going?! Josh!” she says frantically, yet still following me.
Approaching a shack, I pull her behind it, gently pushing 67
FAKING FOREVER
her against the straw structure.
“Okay, look, I understand if you’re mad at me…” she says, breathing faster.
Staring at her face, I notice how her eyes are turning hazel against the sunset, glowing in a way. She’s so innocent-looking that it makes me forget what I’m upset about. Just one look, she can have anything she wants from me, no questions asked.
“I’m not mad,” I state.
“I can explain.” She repeatedly looks up at me, breaking eye contact every few seconds.
“I’m waiting,” I say, pressing a hand above her shoulder, still holding her with my other.
“You’re gonna think I’m looney, but what if we just entertained the idea for a little while?” she says, her big doe eyes wandering around.
I say nothing. My brain lingers on the idea and her face.
“Can you not stare at me like that? You’re scaring me..” she whispers.
I clear my throat, closing my eyes for a moment.
“Paisley,whyme? Do you know what you’ve just done to our relationship?”
“Oh, okay, well, don’t act so flattered—I’m a catch, you know!” she shoves her finger into my chest, getting in my face.
I grab her hand in mine, mindlessly laughing at her response.
“I didn’t say it wasbad, genius,” I say.
I hold her hand, still.
“But, I’m confused. And you should be, too.” I lick my lips.
Pulling her hand away, she sighs, walking underneath my 68
MELTING
arm to escape. I turn around, following her.
“The more Darcy talks, the more I wanna scream. She rubs everything in my face and constantly tries to one-up me. I wanted to prove her wrong, for once.”
