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“But it doesn’t matter because I’m not dating another hockey player. I can’t. I’m done with cocky jocks for good.”

“I know you have your reasons for that rule,” Mia said. “But you made an exception for Jeremy…”

“Yeah, and look how that turned out.”

“Okay, so you picked the wrong player, and perhaps you’re right to be cautious where hockey stars are involved. Hell, you’re right to be cautious with any guy. But they aren’t all bad. And Reed is not Jeremy.”

“No.” That we could definitely agree on. “But, even if I was crazy enough to forget my rule and date another hockey player, Reed doesn’t like me that way.”

At least, that’s what I told Mia. But it could get confusing when we were together, sharing laughs that felt as easy as breathing and smiles that made my heart glow warm with happiness.

Sometimes when we held hands, I could feel his skin sparking just like mine.

And then there were a few moments, like in his room and at the bowling alley, when it had seemed certain we would kiss.

All of this pointed toward Reed returning my feelings.

But I couldn’t tell if these moments were just a part of our arrangement or the beginning of something real.

“Are you sure he doesn’t like you?” Mia asked.

“He can’t,” I replied. “We promised each other we wouldn’t get feelings.”

“You developed feelings,” she replied.

“ I’m an idiot.”

“Well, you know there’s one surefire way to find out…”

“There is?”

“Yeah,” she said. “You just tell him how you feel.”

“No way!” I instinctively shouted. There was still every chance he’d simply laugh in my face.

And every time I thought it might be worth the risk, every time I thought maybe he might be somewhat interested in me, I kept coming back to one simple fact: Reed Darling didn’t want a real relationship.

It was why he agreed to this whole mess in the first place.

“He’s made it pretty clear he’s not interested in dating right now,” I added. “That’s why I was the perfect candidate for a fake relationship… I didn’t want a real one either. Especially not with someone like him.”

“I’m still not convinced,” Mia said.

“I don’t know what else to tell you. But I’m definitely not going to confess my feelings to him. I was barely even able to share them with you.”

Mia lifted her hands in defeat. “In that case, I see no other option. You’re just going to have to kiss him again.”

“What? How is that the next logical step?”

“Because a kiss can tell you everything you need to know about how another person feels. You can’t fake chemistry, and if this relationship really is just pretend, he won’t be into it.”

“I don’t know, Mia. Will I really be able to tell what he’s feeling from a kiss alone? He seemed pretty into our kiss at the bonfire… Are you saying he wanted to date me even then?”

“It’s not just about the kiss,” she said. “It’s the whole package. How he looks you in the eyes before and after, how he holds you, all that stuff. Just trust me; kiss him, and you’ll know.”

My heart pounded with anticipation. The first time we’d kissed was incredible. But I’d been fueled by anger then, and I knew I didn’t have any feelings for Reed at the time. What would it be like if we kissed again? Would it intensify my feelings for him or only add to my confusion?

“What if I’m only setting myself up to get hurt again?” I asked.

“I guess you have to decide if he’s worth the risk. And whether you’re willing to take the risk,” she said.

Mia was asking me to be brave, but I wasn’t sure I was capable. Putting my heart out there, to see if my feelings were returned, felt like launching out of a plane with a shoddy parachute you’d found on Marketplace—there was every chance it wouldn’t open to catch your fall.

“But if you want to stay cautious, then you’re already in the perfect situation to pull this off,” she continued.

“I am?”

“Yep. The whole reason you’re going to this party with him is because the girls at his school are coming on to him too hard and you need to show off your relationship, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“And so, all you have to do is pretend like they’re making eyes at him and suggest you two kiss to send them a message. If, by some miracle, he doesn’t seem into it, you can just say you were only being a good fake girlfriend. Reed is none the wiser, and no one gets hurt.”

“I guess so.”

“I know so,” she added. “Now, let’s fix your hair and makeup. We don’t want you to be late.” I sighed and allowed Mia to finish preparing me for the party. There was really no point fighting her. It was a battle I knew I’d lose.

Once Mia was finished, I had to admit she’d done an amazing job.

She’d left my long, red hair loose, and the earthy tones she’d used for my makeup highlighted my eyes nicely.

I’d expected her to go for some kind of bold glamour look, but she must have realized how much I’d hate it and settled for something more subtle.

“Thanks, Mia,” I said, smiling at her in the mirror’s reflection. She’d somehow managed to achieve the perfect balance of accentuating my features without also making it look like I’d tried too hard.

“You’re hot.” She grinned appreciatively. “Tell Reed he can thank me later.”

“Of course, that’s the first thing I’ll tell him.” I glanced at the time on my phone. Reed was supposed to be here to pick me up ten minutes ago, and I was surprised I hadn’t received a message saying he was running late.

“What is it?” Mia asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I replied, double-checking my phone to see if I’d missed a call or text. “Reed’s just running late.”

“Uh, about that…” Mia tucked her hands into her pockets, a guilty look on her face. “He might be here already.”

“What?”

“Yeah, he arrived when I went downstairs to grab my hair straightener. I wasn’t done with you yet, so I told him to wait in the living room.”

“Mia,” I groaned. “Why didn’t you tell me? What if Luke’s in there grilling him?”

“Uh, I think he is…”

“Are you kidding me?” I quickly grabbed my bag off the bed and raced downstairs. Ten minutes with Luke and it wouldn’t matter what I felt for Reed. Fake or not, our relationship would probably be over.

I hurried to the living room but stopped by the door when I heard laughing coming from within.

I cautiously edged into the room and saw Reed was sitting in an armchair chatting freely with Luke who was on the couch opposite.

There was no pained look in Reed’s eyes and no anger, disgust, or suspicion on Luke’s face.

The two of them were both smiling and talking.

Reed jumped up from his chair as soon as he saw me enter the room. His eyes lit up, and he gave me a warm smile. He started to walk toward me but bumped into the coffee table and almost tripped.

I spluttered out a laugh. He was blushing, and it was actually really cute.

“Hey,” he said, his deep voice rumbly and all too familiar as he came to stand before me.

“Hey, yourself. Are you okay? That coffee table nearly took you out.”

“I’ll survive,” he said, still slightly red in the cheeks. “You look gorgeous.”

My cheeks flushed just as bright as his at the compliment. The moment didn’t last long though because Luke cleared his throat.

“The coffee table won’t be the only thing injuring you if you keep looking at my niece that way.”

There was the Luke I knew and loved. I guessed whatever joke he and Reed had been sharing before I came in was short-lived.

“Uncle Luke, don’t–” I started to complain.

“It’s okay, Violet,” Luke said, lifting himself off the couch and coming to stand near us. “I’m only joking.”

“You are?” Now I was even more confused than when I’d seen them laughing and chatting together.

“Well, no, I’m not joking. I’m actually deadly serious,” he said, raising an eyebrow at Reed. “But don’t worry, I’d give the same threat to any boy who takes you out. I think this one might actually be all right though.”

“You do?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“Yeah.” Luke shrugged. “Reed and I just had a little chat, and I think we’ve come to an understanding. And, while I’m not going to go so far as to say I totally trust him yet, I do trust you. And if you like Reed, then I guess I like Reed too.”

He made his point by giving Reed a firm slap on the back, and I couldn’t help but let a grin pull at my lips. Reed also seemed to be holding back a smirk, and he gave me a subtle wink.

“Okay…” I said, unsure what exactly had just happened. “Thanks, Luke.”

He nodded before turning to Reed. “Just remember, you do anything to upset Violet, and the coffee table will be the least of your problems.”

I expected Reed to look embarrassed or concerned, at the very least. But he turned to Luke and smiled. “Understood. I’ll be the perfect gentlemen.”

“Right, well, I think that’s enough threats for one night. We’ll see you later, Luke.” I practically dragged Reed away before my uncle could get in another word.

Mia was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, grinning wickedly as she watched us. “Have fun tonight, kids,” she said.

“Bye, Mia,” I replied without stopping. After Luke’s performance, I didn’t want to stick around to see what else my cousin had to say. It would probably have been something about my first-base outfit.

As soon as we got to Reed’s truck, I grabbed his arm to stop him.

“Okay, what was that between you and Luke?” I glanced over my shoulder as I spoke to make sure Mia and my uncle weren’t watching us leave through the windows.

The blinds in the living room quickly jerked shut, and I shot a glare in that direction.

It had to be Mia, and I really hoped it wasn’t Luke too.

“What do you mean?” Reed asked, a look of deliberate thoughtfulness on his face.

“You know what I mean. Last time you came over and Luke was here he almost kicked you out before you walked through the door. Tonight, you’re in there laughing together.”

“It was nothing,” he said. “We were just bonding.”

“Bonding? Over what?”

“Well, it seems Luke used to play a bit of hockey when he was in school around here. He heard we destroyed the Summit High Vikings in our game today and was very happy about it. I guess they were his rival team back in the day.”

I shook my head in disbelief. What was it about hockey in this place?

“So, you’re saying one quick conversation about hockey and you’re suddenly the apple of my uncle’s eye.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Reed continued. “The first time I met Luke, he clearly didn’t like me, but you whisked me away before I got a chance to change his mind. I decided to arrive a little early tonight so I could talk to Luke one on one.”

“And say what?”

“And say that there’s nothing for him to worry about. Because I really care about you and I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

Reed said it casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

He reached out and opened the door of his truck, gesturing for me to get in, but I was frozen in place.

Had he really meant the things he’d told Luke, or was he just saying them to avoid hassle from my uncle.

I wasn’t sure I could handle the answer.

Either way, it was one of the sweetest things a boyfriend, fake or real, had ever said to me.

I simply smiled at him and nodded before I climbed into the truck and let him close the door. I was still a little unsure about what had just happened, but what I did know was I was more nervous about this party than ever before because maybe Mia was right. Maybe it was time to take a risk on Reed.