Page 41 of Frosting and Flames

“Wait.” Jae holds my phone out of reach when I go to grab it. A terrible, devious smile crosses her face.

Oh no. That can’t be good.

“If he wants to see what you’re up to so bad, we should let him.”

What? “How does that solve anything?”

She holds up a finger, indicating I should let her continue. “We’re going to play a prank on him. And hit him where it hurts.”

I eye her suspiciously. “I don’t know where you’re going with this, but I’m intrigued.”

She pats my hand. “Of course you are. I’m a genius. Seriously, I’ve never had an idea this good.”

“Okay, spill.”

She tucks her legs under her on the couch, getting comfortable. “You and I are going to go to your house. As ifwe were out somewhere and are coming back. You’ll pretend to search for your keys in your purse to give us some time in front of the doorbell, and I’ll ask you how your date with Nick went.”

My brows pop up in surprise. “What date?”

She waves off my question. “There isn’t really a date. But Kyle doesn’t know that. And you’re going to go on and on about how great it was. And how Nick is so romantic and so much better than Kyle ever was. Lay it on thick, you know?”

I wanted to see you.

Nick’s words echo in my ears. Simple, meaningless, nothing words that I’ve somehow twisted into something vaguely romantic.

“I don’t know,” I say. “Involving Nick like that… What if it got back to him? And then he’d think I’m a freak who’s imagining dates with him.”

Her lips twist. “Okay, so let’s call him. See if he’s game.”

“W-what?” I stumble over the word. “No, he’s…” She’s already navigating to my contacts on my phone. Damn it. I should put a password on there. “He’s probably sleeping.”

“It’s eight o’clock,” she says drily. “It’s fine.”

And then she’s hit the green phone icon, putting it on speakerphone, and before I can stop it, he answers.

“Hey, Rachel.”

Butterflies erupt in my stomach at the warmth in his deep voice, as if he’s pleasantly surprised to be hearing from me.

No, not butterflies from his voice. Butterflies because I’m now an accomplice to Jae’s insane plan.

“Hey, Nick. It’s actually Jae. Rachel’s friend.”

“Is everything okay?”

I squeeze my eyes shut at the immediate concern in his voice.

“Yes, great. Rachel’s here with me.”

“Hi,” I say quickly, unable to get more out.

“We’re calling to get permission from you about something,” Jae continues.

“Uh, okay.”

“We want to play a prank on Kyle, but want to make sure it’s all right with you first if we tell a teeny white lie that involves you.”

There’s a pause and then Nick says, “I’m one hundred percent on board with pranking Kyle. What’s the lie?”

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