This time the pause is even longer, and I can imagine her heartbeat pounding through the screen like mine is, fluttering like crazy.
Me
goodnight, Sullivan
I set my phone aside and sink deeper into my mattress. The quiet of my room comforts me as it wraps around me.
It seems like Rue actually cares. Like maybe, just maybe she wants me back in her life, and the thing growing between us isn’t just a product of pretending.
There are a whole lot of real feelings under all this fake dating.
At least, for me there are.
Chapter 22
Rue
I get to school early on Wednesday morning, and when I arrive, I find Mabel, Dot, and Meredith sitting atop a picnic blanket on the grassy area out front.
Since there’s been hardly any snow this year, I’m not surprised they’re taking advantage of the crisp air before class. The grass is still a little damp, but the sun is out, and the sky is that pale winter blue that promises spring is trying to come back.
“Hey, guys.” I plop down beside Dot, tucking my legs under me. “What are you doing?”
“Just running some lines,” Mabel says with a sweet smile, holding up her script.
Meredith shrugs, flipping a page. “I’m feeling good about all my scenes, but it can’t hurt. As you know.”
I nod, even though I’m not acting this time. A small ache presses against my chest, but it’s not one of longing for once. More like nostalgia.
Mabel’s eyes flick up over my shoulder and light up. “Oh, look who it is.”
I turn to see Ezra walking toward us. It’s ridiculous how my stomach immediately flips like I just missed a step on the stairs. He has his backpack slung over one shoulder, curls slightlymessy like he didn’t bother fixing them after showering, and there’s something about the way he looks at me that makes my pulse trip over itself. I can’t help but wonder if he feels it too, the shift between us, the way we’ve gotten closer.
“Hey.” He grins when he reaches us.
I smile back at him. “Hey.”
Ezra shifts his weight, glancing briefly at the others before focusing back on me. “Can I steal you for a second?”
“Steal away,” Mabel says with way too much enthusiasm.
I shoot her a look, but I stand anyway, brushing off my skirt and tights as I follow him a few steps away from the blanket.
“What’s up?” I ask.
He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly looking…nervous? Ezra Davis. Nervous. “We’re having a thing tonight,” he says. “At Tucker’s. Just a small party before the playoff game on Friday.”
“Oh.” I blink. “Am I obligated to be there, as your fake girlfriend?”
I mean it to sound like a joke, but Ezra blushes. “Actually, I wasn’t even going to go, but I thought it might be more fun if you were there.”
My stomach flips. “So, what you’re saying is that you need me to make it tolerable?” I tease.
“Desperately. I might die otherwise.”
“That would be tragic.”
“For everyone involved.”
