Page 116 of Fall Fake-Out

“I do too.”

She turns around and looks at me, and suddenly, the room feels smaller than it did a minute ago. She stands in front of me with damp hair and rain on her cheeks, and all I can think about is the kiss we haven’t even talked about.

“When are we going to talk about the kiss?”

For one second, something flickers across her face. Then it’s gone. “There’s nothing to say.”

“Nothing?”

Her shoulders bounce up and down. “It was fake.”

“Fake,” I repeat, even though nothing about it was fake to me.

“You had to do what you had to do.”

“Uh-huh.” I nod, studying her, wishing I knew what the heck was going on in that pretty little head of hers. “So you had no problem with me kissing you out of the blue, because it was fake?”

“I understood the purpose.”

“The purpose.” I almost laugh as I step closer. Her eyes track the movement.

“Yeah, we were pretending. The kiss served its purpose with Ashtyn.”

My heart sinks because Ashtyn was the last thing on my mind when I kissed her.

“And that’s all?”

“That’s all.” She straightens, resolute in her answer.

I take a risk and ask, “So the kiss meant nothing to you?”

“I was just acting.”

Acting.

Why do I not believe her? Or maybe I just don’t want to believe her.

The floor creaks as I take another step forward. “So, if I get this close to you in the name of the fake relationship, it’s fine with you?”

Ari doesn’t move. “It’s part of the deal.”

I take another step. My eyes sweep over her face, stopping on her brown eyes, her cheekbones, her lips. “What about this close?”

She lifts her chin stubbornly. “I suppose it’s okay if⁠—”

“If we’re doing it for the bet?” I nod as if I already know her answer.

“That’s right.”

I move closer again. Now there’s almost no space between us. One hand settles lightly on her waist. Her chest visibly rises as I slowly pull her body to me.

“What about this close?” I whisper between us.

Her voice is quieter now. “If you had a good reason. If somebody was watching us.”

“No one’s watching right now. We’re very much alone.”

My lips barely graze her cheek. “No Ashtyn.”