Andy felt Erin slip her hand back into his and tried not to sigh with happiness.
They moved through the racks as a foursome, picking up and discarding one dress after another.
By lunchtime, they’d scoured three different department stores with no success. Raya and Erin, being the only ones in the group with a need to eat, declared a break for lunch and led the way to the food court.
“A food court?” Phoenix scowled.
Andy looked around hopefully. “Is there somewhere to get a good glass of wine?”
Erin laughed and hooked her arm through his. “You haven’t been in food courts much, have you?”
“What are you having?” he asked.
“I think I’ll go to the smoothie place,” said Erin.
“That sounds tolerable,” said Phoenix. “Given the situation.”
“Oh, stop being such a stick-in-the-mud,” said Raya. “I’ll have one, too.”
They carried their rainbow-hued smoothies to an unsteady table with four metal chairs and sat down.
“So, how’s the whole pretending to be a couple thing going?” said Phoenix with wide, innocent eyes. “Ready to move on from just holding hands?”
Given the choice, Andy would have drowned Phoenix with his own smoothie. Instead, he looked daggers in his direction to try to get him to be quiet.
“What do you mean?” said Erin, looking up from her drink.
“You’ve held hands all morning. Is that all? Do you think that will sell it?” said Phoenix.
Erin’s brow furrowed.
“It’s fine,” Andy said. “Phoenix, it’s—”
“No,” said Erin. “Phoenix has a good point. We should have a few more tricks up our sleeves.”
“I knew I liked this girl!” said Phoenix, raising his smoothie to her.
“Really, Erin, you don’t have to do anything you—” said Andy.
“We should kiss at least once,” said Erin.
Andy, thunderstruck, looked from Erin, to Raya, and finally Phoenix.
Phoenix—damn him—grinned triumphantly.
“Good idea,” said Raya, who was watching Erin across the table.
“See?” said Erin. “They like the idea.” She paused and leaned closer to Andy, her face full of concern. “Unless you don’t?”
Andy could smell the scent of her hair. “No, it’s fine. I mean, I’m fine with it. If you are.” His speech stumbled to a stop as he found it harder and harder to craft a coherent response.
“We can start with a kiss on the cheek,” said Erin.
“Oh,” said Andy, nonplussed.
Erin set her hand decisively on his jawline, drew him forward ever so slightly, and pressed her lips to his cheek. Her lips felt soft, and cool from the smoothie she’d been drinking.
The sensation sent shivers all the way to Andy’s toes. His eyes closed.
