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“That works for me. We can tell everyone that you rear-ended me, and it was love at first sight for me,” he says with a small smile, and for the first time all day, he seems a little nervous.
“Okay,” I say, trying not to blush. “That works.”
“I need to head back to the office,” he says, almost apologetically, as he stands too.
“I, uh, there’s an event at my parents’ house this weekend. Would you be able to join me?” I ask. “I know that it’s short notice.”
“I’m free. I’ll be there. My friend, Anson, has been asking about a double date. Are you free this week if he wants to set something up? I can see if he’s free this Friday?”
“That works.”
“Cool.”
He smiles at me, and for some reason, my brain decides that now is the right time to show him how much of a dork I am. I thrust my hand out into the space between us, and he seems caught off guard, but he reaches out, his big, strong hand wrapping around mine and shaking for the both of us.
His hand is so warm against mine. The calluses on his fingertips rub against the back of my hand, sending shivers down my spine.
“I’ll see you Friday then,” Rhett says, and I nod.
“See you then.”
We head out, and I can’t help but take one last glance back at him as I climb into my car. He’s looking back at me, his dark blue eyes sparkling in the sun as he grins at me and climbs into his car.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach, and I smile to myself as I start my car and head home.
FIVE
Rhett
“I’m excited to meet your new girl,” Lottie says as she gets out of Anson’s truck.
“Yeah, I’m glad that we were able to set this up so fast,” Anson says.
I just nod. I’ve been texting with Quinn for the last few days, getting this double date set up, and trying to learn everything I can about my new girlfriend. Fake girlfriend.
I feel like I need to keep making that distinction, just to myself, so that I don’t forget that this isn’t real. Things with Quinn are so easy and natural that it’s easy to forget that we’re not really together. This isn’t a real date.
We’re at the boardwalk, and I glance around, wondering if Quinn is already here, but I don’t see her anywhere. I had wanted to drive her, but she texted me an hour ago to say that she had lost track of time and would just meet us here.
Anson is distracted by Lottie, and I’m grateful. He’s been asking me a ton of questions these last few days about Quinn. I told him as close to the truth as possible. That she was the one to rear-end me, but I think she could be the one.
It’s the truth, so it’s not like I’m lying to my best friend or sister.
Instead, it feels like I’m lying to Quinn and myself by calling this a fake relationship.
Platinum blonde hair catches my eye, and I turn, smiling, when I see Quinn weaving her wave through the small crowd waiting to get tickets and head onto the boardwalk.
“Hey! Sorry, I’m late,” she says, hesitating slightly before she rises up onto her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck in a hug.
“No worries,” I say, my own arms going to her waist and pulling her against me.
We never really talked about acting like a couple the other day at the café, just basic facts about each other. I didn’t even think about being able to hold her hand or hug her.
Will she let me kiss her?
I don’t want to let her go, but she sinks back to her feet, and I’m forced to take a step back. I clear my throat before I turn back to Anson and Lottie.
“Guys, this is Quinn. Quinn, this is my sister, Lottie, and my best friend, Anson.”
