Page 16 of Keeping You

After she leaves, I stand at my living room window, looking out at the quiet street. Luke is long gone, but the lingering effects of his presence created a charge in the air, like his footsteps left an imprint I can’t shake.

Maybe Nikki is right. Perhaps this is a terrible idea. But for the first time in months, I’m taking control of my life instead of just letting things happen to me.

My phone buzzes with a text message, and my pulse skips when I see his name on the screen.

Luke:

Talked to Harper.

She seemed uncomfortable when I mentioned seeing you today.

Your plan may have merit after all.

I’m still not sure how I feel about hurting my sister, though, even if the end may justify the means.

I stare at the message for a long moment, my pulse quickening. His words give me the encouragement I need to keep pushing forward with this crazy scheme. I type back.

Me:

Told you this would work.

Are you in?

The response comes quickly.

Yeah. I’m in.

But we do this my way.

What does that mean?

It means if we’re going to convince people we’re together, we need to make it believable.

Agreed.

What did you have in mind?

Dinner Friday night.

Somewhere public.

I’ll pick you up at seven.

I hesitate, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. This is it, the point of no return. Once I say yes, we’re committed to this charade, with all the complications and potential heartbreak that comes with it.

But as I think about the way people whisper behind my back, I know I can’t back down now.

I’ll pick you up.

Fine. It’s a date.

You can pick me up at seven.

He means a fake date. Right?

I set my phone aside, my stomach flipping with a mix of dread and anticipation. Friday night, I’ll be sitting across from Luke Caldwell, where everyone can see us, pretending to fall in love with him all over again.

The scariest part? I’m not sure how much pretending I’ll need to do.