Page 26 of That Fake Feeling

That’sas smooth asI’mgoing to get the blanket with him parked in the middle.

Istraighten and plant my hands on my hips. “Actually, he said it was a reminder that even a body at rest has energy.”

Connor’sperfect shoulders slump as he rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

“Well,Ithought it was quite beautiful.”Icrouch down and flip open the lid of the picnic basket.

“Sowhy didn’t it work out with him?”There’ssomething about the tone of his voice and the tingle down my spine that tell me his eyes are scanning my back.

“Iended it becauseIwas too into him.”

Hesnorts. “Thatmakes about as much sense as being thirsty and refusing a drink.”

GoodGod, does this man understand nothing but instant gratification?

“Wemet in my first month of college, andIfell hard.”Ipull containers of salads, olives, and cheeses from the basket. “Iwas so caught up in him that my grades weren’t good enough to get me whereIwanted to go.So,Idumped him and did the year over.”

“Seriously?” he asks. “Couldn’tyou have just caught up the next year?”

Whythe hell is he suddenly concerned with my life story?

Iswivel to face him.Surprisingly, he looks genuinely interested.

“Ialways knewIwanted to do a master’s and aPhDand thatIwanted to do them atNYU.Andfor that,Ineeded the best undergradGPAIcould possibly get.So,Iscrapped the first year and started over.Butwith no boyfriend.”

“AndSterlingsays there’s been no one since.”OneofConnor’seyebrows lifts, like that’s a concept he can’t comprehend.

Iturn back to the basket and contemplate not responding.It’snone of his business.

But, we have to look all lovey-dovey here, and ifIantagonize him it’s only going to make my job harder.

“Yes,Sterling’sextensive investigation into me is correct.”Ipull out a mini loaf of delicious-looking herby bread.

“Butwhy?”Hissurprise doesn’t sound fake. “Imean you’re…well,Imean…you’re…not bad looking.”

Oh, for goodness’ sake.Iget to my feet.

“Wow, you really know how to make a girl feel good.”Thereare ridges in the hair on the top of his head where he’s repeatedly run his fingers through it. “Soto you, that’s what relationships are all about, right?Howpeople look?”

“It’spart of it.”Heshields his eyes from the sun as he looks up at me, his mouth curled up at one side. “Youare pretty annoying, though.Somaybe that outweighs your hotness.”

Wiseass.Anda wiseass with a definite glint in his eye.

“OrmaybeIget lots of offers and turn them all down becauseIlearned my lesson the first time andI’vededicated myself to studying and working.”

“Yup.Tillyou’reDr.Bellamore.Andthen you’ll be too focused on your career to let anyone in either.You’rejust looking for excuses.”

“FromwhatI’veseen and read, you’re the last personIshould be taking relationship advice from.”

Hesighs, like he’s frustrated with me. “LikeIsaid, reading that stuff doesn’t mean you know me.”

“Anyway,Ihave a job to do here.”Iwave at the food and drink. “Shouldn’twe be lying down, making goo-goo eyes, and feeding each other grapes or something?”

Hewaggles his eyebrows at me and rubs his stomach. “Well,Iam hungry.”

Thatwas an excellent piece of authentic flirtation.Sogood my belly has a little flutter.Ihope there’s a photographer hidden somewhere who caught it.MaybeConnor’sfinally decided to play ball.

Ibend over and reach back into the basket.