I felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Part of me was furious at being pulled into his web of lies, while another part couldn’t help but notice the warmth that seeped through his touch.
His grip was so firm, so possessive, it made me question my own feelings, my own thoughts.
For a second, I imagine he was Austin. Only Austin could’ve touched me and I wouldn’t have jumped away immediately.
The only reason his hand on my waist felt nice was because nobody had ever touched me like this before, or so I told myself. Even if someone had held me like this before, it wasn’t like me to stand in place. Any form of physical touch usually made me uncomfortable.
I shot Eden a sharp look, silently warning him that this charade was starting and ending in this room. Today.
I could feel Brittany’s eyes burning on my skin, her disbelief palpable.
There was a huge chance that I was going to regret this sooner rather than later, but despite knowing better, I played along. “Oh, uh, yes. We’re… seeing each other.”
“See?” He turned to look at me, cupping my face in both of his hands.
He looked right at my lips and for just a second, I thought he was going to kiss me to prove a point, but then he spoke up again.
“Aren’t my Ally-Bear and I just so cute?” Eden asked without expecting an answer, confidence accompanying his every word, making it hard for Brittany to suspect he was lying. On top of hisconfidence as he spoke, his gaze dared anyone to question the authenticity of our relationship.
“I can’t believe this…” Brittany muttered under her breath as she slowly backed off. “You always announce your relationships right away, and?—”
“I never do,” Eden replied before she even finished her sentence. “Whoever I date usually takes the chance to have a private relationship away from me without consulting me about it first. Just like you did.”
They were dating once upon a time? Now that certainly explained how he knew her name.
But why would she still be so hung up on Eden if they clearly broke up?
Brittany’s face scrunched up with revulsion before she turned around and stormed out of the restroom, leaving Eden and me alone.
As soon as the door slammed shut behind her, I brought a few steps of distance between Eden and me, glaring at him with a mixture of anger and confusion.
“What the hell was that?” I asked, trying my best not to yell at him. After all, I didn’t want people out in the hall hearing our entire conversation.
Eden just grinned at me, completely unfazed by my obvious irritation. “Seemed like the best way to get rid of her. She’s been hounding me for weeks.”
“So you thought pretending I’m your girlfriend was the solution?” I crossed my arms tightly over my chest. Part of me wanted to flee the room and hide from Eden for the rest of my college years, another part wanted answers. “Are you aware of what you just did? Brittany, or whatever her name is, looks like the type of girl who knows people. She’ll talk! Once everyone finds out that we’re not, in fact, together, they’ll probably attack me for it!”
And once everyone believed Eden was dating me, my chances of ever dating Austin were even lower than before.
“Relax, Ally-Bear,” he said with a chuckle, stepping forward and reaching out to try to touch me again, but when he noticed me backing up, he froze in place. “It’s not a big deal, Alana, honestly. We’ll just play along for a bit. Nobody’s going to attack you for it. If anything, you’ll turn into someone quite popular.”
Popular? “See, that’s what I don’t want!”
I could use some friends, sure, but the people Eden would throw my way would’ve beenfarfrom ones I’d call friend-worthy. They were probably all superficial rich kids with both mommy and daddy issues. Little snitches who were there for you one second and then stabbed you in the back the next.
“I’m not playing along with anything,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “You can’t just decide to make me part of your little games without even asking me first. I’m a complete stranger to you, Eden. Who does that?”
Eden raised his eyebrows at me, his playful demeanor not faltering in the slightest.
How was he so chill about all of this?
“Come on, Ally-Bear, it’s all in good fun. Plus, you have to admit, my lie did help me get rid of Brittany.”
My head shook in disbelief at his audacity. “That doesn’t make it okay. I won’t be used as a pawn in your schemes, Eden. Find someone else to drag into your bullshit.” My voice came out firm, leaving barely any room for argument.
He seemed taken aback by my seriousness for a moment before a hint of something unreadable flickered across his features. Of course he was going to find a way to argue. After all, he was one of those superficial rich kids.
“I need your help, okay?” he said, surprising me with the softness of his voice. All devious tones were gone. “It’s not to getrid of girls, but…” Eden raked a hand through his hair, appearing almost nervous now. “Look, Kaan said you’re a great baker.”
