Page 50 of Faking Forever 1

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We cleaned in silence with tension, sharing only a few words when needed. Him more than I. I won’t say what he wants me to because he views this as fun and games. I’d rather keep my lips sealed and save my tears. Eventually, I’ll jump over this hurdle of a crush, but hopefully, it’s before the camping trip.

Or before the banquet. Or maybe just before the summer ends.

I’d love to spend the rest of summer pretending I never have to leave the man of my dreams. It would be this little blonde girl’s favorite fantasy.

115

8

gonna get caught

PAISLEY

“I told you we should’ve seen the one about a girl whose husband was sick. Every party movie with a hot male lead is bound to be awful.” Sierra laughs as she tosses her empty popcorn bucket into the garbage.

“Excuse me for wanting some sort of eye candy,” I comment, sipping my large drink.

“Why didn’t you just call up Josh?” She nudges me as we head for the mall exit.

“Funny,” I respond with sarcasm. “I would’ve, but I don’t think I can keep doing this with him, Si. After getting that letter from Escoffier, I can think about London and him.” I push the door open and walk out into the night with Sierra, immediately slamming into a large body.

“Paisley, my bad,” Nick says, grabbing my arm.

It takes me less than some second to realize it’s him, to which I pull my arm away.

116

GONNA GET CAUGHT

“Sorry. I should’ve been looking,” I mumble, screaming on the inside.

“You look great tonight. No Josh on your arm?” he asks, but I could sense he wasn’t joking.

“He’s at work. It’s a girls’ night.” I avoid his piercing eyes.

“Work. Right.” He chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “Well—since I got you here, I, uh, had a question.”

I nod, waiting for him to ask. It could be anything, but I’m hoping it’s just him being overly invested in my life, as usual, and not anything other than that.

“So, I was thinking, since we’re both in new relationships and all—and it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna change for you,”

he closes his eyes for a split second before asking, “maybe we could double date tomorrow? Darcy’s dad got these ticket passes for unlimited rides on the boardwalk.”

Double date? As in DarcyandNick? Is he insane?

“A double date. Wow, um…” I ponder the thought.

It’s not that I cared if the offer was sincere or that it was a double date at all. If anything, it’s weird and out of the blue.

I’m one billion percent sure Darcy didn’t put him up to this, either.

“Paisley, I get it. You don’t want to be friends because I’m your ex and you hate my guts,” he admits.

Hate isn’t a strong enough word.

“All I’m asking is that you give me a chance, just as friends.

Please?” He stands still, blocking my path as if I had no choice but to answer him.