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“No.” That we could definitely agree on. “But, even if I was crazy enough to forget my rule and date another hockey player, Reed doesn’t like me that way.”
At least, that’s what I told Mia. But it could get confusing when we were together, sharing laughs that felt as easy as breathing and smiles that made my heart glow warm with happiness. Sometimes when we held hands, I could feel his skin sparking just like mine. And then there were a few moments, like in his room and at the bowling alley, when it had seemed certain we would kiss. All of this pointed toward Reed returning my feelings. But I couldn’t tell if these moments were just a part of our arrangement or the beginning of something real.
“Are you sure he doesn’t like you?” Mia asked.
“He can’t,” I replied. “We promised each other we wouldn’t get feelings.”
“You developed feelings,” she replied.
“I’m an idiot.”
“Well, you know there’s one surefire way to find out…”
“There is?”
“Yeah,” she said. “You just tell him how you feel.”
“No way!” I instinctively shouted. There was still every chance he’d simply laugh in my face. And every time I thought it might be worth the risk, every time I thought maybe he might be somewhat interested in me, I kept coming back to one simple fact: Reed Darling didn’t want a real relationship. It was why he agreed to this whole mess in the first place.
“He’s made it pretty clear he’s not interested in dating right now,” I added. “That’s why I was the perfect candidate for a fake relationship… I didn’t want a real one either. Especially not with someone like him.”
“I’m still not convinced,” Mia said.
“I don’t know what else to tell you. But I’m definitely not going to confess my feelings to him. I was barely even able to share them with you.”
Mia lifted her hands in defeat. “In that case, I see no other option. You’re just going to have to kiss him again.”
“What? How is that the next logical step?”
“Because a kiss can tell you everything you need to know about how another person feels. You can’t fake chemistry, and if this relationship really is just pretend, he won’t be into it.”
“I don’t know, Mia. Will I really be able to tell what he’s feeling from a kiss alone? He seemed pretty into our kiss at the bonfire… Are you saying he wanted to date me even then?”
“It’s not just about the kiss,” she said. “It’s the whole package. How he looks you in the eyes before and after, how he holds you, all that stuff. Just trust me; kiss him, and you’ll know.”
My heart pounded with anticipation. The first time we’d kissed was incredible. But I’d been fueled by anger then, and I knew I didn’t have any feelings for Reed at the time. What would it be like if we kissed again? Would it intensify my feelings for him or only add to my confusion?
“What if I’m only setting myself up to get hurt again?” I asked.
“I guess you have to decide if he’s worth the risk. And whether you’re willing to take the risk,” she said.
Mia was asking me to be brave, but I wasn’t sure I was capable. Putting my heart out there, to see if my feelings were returned, felt like launching out of a plane with a shoddy parachute you’d found on Marketplace—there was every chance it wouldn’t open to catch your fall.
“But if you want to stay cautious, then you’re already in the perfect situation to pull this off,” she continued.
“I am?”
“Yep. The whole reason you’re going to this party with him is because the girls at his school are coming on to him too hard and you need to show off your relationship, right?”
“Yeah, so?”
“And so, all you have to do is pretend like they’re making eyes at him and suggest you two kiss to send them a message. If, by some miracle, he doesn’t seem into it, you can just say you were only being a good fake girlfriend. Reed is none the wiser, and no one gets hurt.”
“I guess so.”
“I know so,” she added. “Now, let’s fix your hair and makeup. We don’t want you to be late.” I sighed and allowed Mia to finish preparing me for the party. There was really no point fighting her. It was a battle I knew I’d lose.
Once Mia was finished, I had to admit she’d done an amazing job. She’d left my long, red hair loose, and the earthy tones she’d used for my makeup highlighted my eyes nicely. I’d expected her to go for some kind of bold glamour look, but she must have realized how much I’d hate it and settled for something more subtle.
