Page 9 of Real Fake Husband

“But that one wasperfect. To the point. It even rhymes.”

“Quiet, you’re going to get me in trouble,” I whispered, training my gaze back to the whiteboard.

Mrs. R spun around, and we immediately went silent. Whenever Callum was somehow involved—even indirectly, like now, through Gwenny’s love letter—Igot in trouble. From the moment he’d first pulled my pigtails, I’d had to do double duty to make up for my alleged transgressions (which were in fact entirely his fault). “You all have your assignments. You may get started. Let me know if you have questions.”

With a heavy sigh of disappointment, I set my sketchbook aside and got up to grab the supplies she’d outlined on the board. Gwendolyn caught my hand. “I’ll distract her. You get the note back.”

“Gwenny, seriously, just let it go. I’m not going to get in trouble just to get a stupid love note.”

“Please, Josie, I beg you! What if she throws it away? Orworse. What if she reads it out loud?”

She had a point. That old bat could definitely read it aloud at the end of class if there was time, just like she sometimes had in the past. Crap. I was torn between staying tough and helping out my girl. Was I really going to do this for my friend? I looked at her, and she had tears in her eyes. I knew then I couldn’t tell her no.

“Fine,” I hissed in a soft tone. “You talk to her and make sure she’s busy. I’ll go swipe the note.”

“Thank you, Josie! Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Gwendolyn gave me a quick hug before pulling away and raising her hand. “Mrs. Rudolph? I’m not sure I understand the directions.”

Mrs. R adjusted her glasses and strode to Gwendolyn’s desk to talk to her.

Once she was distracted, I slipped out of my seat and walked to the paper supply, which was right next to her desk. I kept glancing over my shoulder to make sure she wasn’t looking. A few times, she lifted her head to take a quick glance around, and I had to pretend like I was rifling through paper. Gwendolyn drew her focus once more—thank God—and I knew I had to hurry before I lost my nerve.

Seizing the opportunity, I quietly stepped behind her desk and slowly opened the drawer.

The next thing I knew, I heard a book hit the floor. Loudly.

It was Callum. He was grinning, no—laughing! He’d dropped my sketchbook on purpose to distract Mrs. R from Gwendolyn and bring attention to me.

Oh no! Please, no! Not again!

All I could hope was that Mrs. R wouldn’t notice me. I stood frozen. The only sound I heard was the whooshing in my ears.

Mrs. R half-turned to pick up the book, looked up, and our eyes met from across the room. My stomach dropped when I realized how pissed off she was. My face grew hot with embarrassment and shame, knowing there would be no talking my way out of this one.

Mrs. R stomped up front, tearing the note from my hand and opening it.Oh, my God.

“No!Mrs. R,” I tried.

She ignored me and read it aloud:

Dear Cal,

You heavenly creature.

You’re not only the cutest boy in school but under the big blue sky.

Can I be your butterfly?

With love from the one who adores you the most,

Your forever-forever girl from the loneliest coast.

The class laughed.

Hysterically.

Several even pointed fingers at me.

My cheeks heated in embarrassment, and they must have been the same color as my red shirt. Okay, Gwendolyn hadn’t put her name on the note (she never did), so that meant everybody thought it wasmylove note to Callum. I wanted to protest, scream:no, I didn’t write the damn note! No way could I allow Callum Ashford to think I was confessing my never-ending love to him—but then I caught Gwendolyn’s pleading eyes.

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