Page 19 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

“Fine, you can set your rules.”

“It wasn’t even up for discussion.” I look down at our food. “Let’s take this to go.”

* * *

“Bleachers, really?”

I let my backpack slip down my shoulder as I take my seat, giving him a stern look. “I don’t need anybody overhearing us. Besides, if we’d really just started dating it’s natural we’d want some time alone.”

Noah shrugs and takes a seat next to me. He hands me my lunch bag, which I unpack quickly, pulling out my turkey club and taking a bite.

“This is so good,” I moan happily, covering my mouth with a hand.

He chuckles, unpacking his own lunch. “Hungry?”

“More like hangry.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

For a while we eat in silence. I give him a curious glance every now and then, still not sure what to make of this whole situation. What to make ofhim.

I have to admit I don’t know much about Noah. Not really. We’re in the same class. He’s a football player and a decent student. He mostly sticks to his crowd, and he had a thing for Evie for quite a while.

Remember how well that turned out,the little voice reminds me.

So, why is he really doing this? What does he get out of this sham? It can’t be just out of the kindness of his heart. Nobody is good like that.

I must be quiet for a while, lost in my thoughts, because Noah nudges me with his elbow. “So, let’s hear those rules of yours. Are you going to write them down, and we’ll sign the pact with blood?”

“Don’t be silly.” I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to prevent it from spreading.

He isn’t funny. Get a grip, Jessy.

“Those things only happen in movies.”

“So no blood pact?” Noah almost sounds disappointed.

“Afraid not.” I watch as Noah takes a huge bite out of his burger. “Shouldn’t you be eating healthier? You know, since you’re a jock and all that?”

He chews carefully, observing me all the time. “Already nagging me about my eating habits? I think you skipped the girlfriend phase and went straight to acting like a wife.”

My mouth falls open.

“I did not!” I protest in defense. “It was just a question.”

Noah grins widely. “You just keep telling yourself that, Sunshine.”

“Don’t call me that,” I snap at him, irritated that he threw me off balance.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t like it.”

His eyes twinkle in amusement. Sitting like this in the open, they look even lighter than before. Translucent almost. “And that’s exactly why I’ll keep calling you Sunshine, Sunshine. Now, are you done stalling?”

It’s unsettling knowing that Noah can read me so well.

“I wasn’t stalling, I was just thinking.”

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