Page 29 of Fall Fake-Out

See? Like I told Wade, an adult conversation rooted in honesty solves everything.

She lifts her chin. “No, I can’t accept that.”

“No?” My head kicks back. “What do you mean, you can’t accept that?”

“I heard what you said, but sometimes mother knows best. You’re my baby girl. I can’t just stop meddling in your love life. It’s my job to give you guidance.”

Confusion sweeps over my face as I try to digest her answer.

“Now, if things aren’t going to work out between you and Archer Kade, Jaxon told me he has a really great friend from college in Saratoga Springs. His name is Ethan Miner. He’s coming to the wedding. Jaxon thought you two might hit it off. So I’m going to get his number, and you two can start talking. Who knows? Maybe by the time the wedding gets here, you’ll be in a relationship.”

I blink back at my mother, completely dumbfounded.

A direct conversation and clear boundaries did nothing.

NOTHING.

She used her “Mother Knows Best” card to disregard my feelings.

Now what? Nobody teaches you what to do next if that doesn’t work.

Divine intervention comes in the form of Wade Stevenson.

“Mrs. Langford.” Wade appears next to me on the sidewalk, nodding at my mother. “Miss Langford.” He shoots me one of his glimmering smiles. “Boy, am I glad to run into you two beautiful ladies.”

“Wade.” Mom’s voice is civil, but traces of her previous annoyance are still there.

“Why are you glad to see us?” I face him, fully expecting to put him and his charming rhetoric on the spot.

“Well, I have something I wanted to ask you.”

“Really?” I fold my arms, not buying it.

“Now, Mrs. Langford, I apologize for not taking care of my business with your daughter in private, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” That’s when Wade turns to me. “Miss Langford, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me tomorrow night?”

My eyes narrow, causing the corner of Wade’s mouth to tick higher.

“I know you have plenty of gentlemen in pursuit of you. I just saw you with the great Archer Kade—formidable opponent, to be sure—but I’d love to throw my hat in the ring.”

Oh, I see.

Wade saw me with Archer, probably heard my conversation with my mom, and now he’s using that information to strong-arm me into his fake-dating scheme. He thinks he’s backed me into a corner.

But I can’t be forced.

Not by my mother.

And certainly not by Wade Stevenson.

Just as I’m about to decline, my mom beats me to it. “That’s kind of you, Wade, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for a teacher to date the principal. You know how the town loves to gossip.”

My eyes go from my mom to him, and in one split second, I have a change of heart. “I’d love to!”

Something about my mother wanting me to date, but not wanting me to date Wade, fuels my answer.

It’s the rebel in me. I’ve always had a time trying to keep her at bay.

“Then it’s a date.” Wade’s grin is somewhat adorable if I’m being honest. “I’ll meet you at the school at five-thirty.”