Page 32 of Fake As Puck
“Yeah.”
Silence falls, but I know she’s holding back.
“What?” I ask.
“Can I ask you something else?”
“Sure.”
“Why are you making up this elaborate story about having a girlfriend? I mean, it’s not that hard to go to a wedding alone.”
I’m quiet for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain this without sounding pathetic.
“It’s not about going alone,” I say finally. “It’s about everyone trying to fix me.”
“Fix you?”
“Yeah. Set me up with people. Their sisters, their friends, their coworkers. And then when it doesn’t work out, it’s awkward.”
“Why doesn’t it work out?”
“I don’t know. It just... doesn’t. I can’t seem to find anyone I actually enjoy being around.”
“That’s not true. You are the epitome of a golden retriever.”
“It is true. I go on dates and I’m bored. I try to have conversations and I’m thinking about hockey or what I’m going to eat for dinner or literally anything else.”
“So you’re picky.”
“I’m not picky. I’m just waiting for the right person.”
“What is she like?”
I look at Liv, sitting next to me on my weight bench, her hand still in mine, and I try to figure out what myright personwould be like and why I haven’t found her yet. I drop the eye contact, realizing I know exactly who the right person is. Why no other girl can compare.
“I don’t know,” I lie.
She stares at me, and I wonder if she can see right through me.
“West,” she says quietly.
“Yeah?”
“We should probably set some ground rules. For tomorrow.”
I’m relieved that she’s changing the subject. “What kind of ground rules?” I ask.
“PDA rules. Like, how romantic are we going to be?”
I smirk. “How romantic do you want to be?”
“Not very. I’m not a PDA person.”
“Okay. What are you comfortable with?”
“Holding hands. Maybe some casual touching. Hugging.”
“Hugging? What about kissing?”
