Page 40 of A Pizza My Heart

Especially with Foster.

I roll yet another bundle of silverware. “Aren’t you worried it’s going to be weird?” I voice my concern. “That it’ll be hard for us to pretend it’s a date with a stranger when we’ve known each other so long? When we have such history? Or, what if we have zero chemistry and it just feels like two friends hanging out?”

He meets my curious eyes. “Isn’t that kind of the point? Being friends with the person you’re dating? Liking them as more than just someone to beat cheeks with?”

I sputter out a laugh. “Beat cheeks? Is that, like, a thing? A euphemism for sex?”

“It’s something I picked up from Porter.” He blushes. “Dude says some weird shit.”

“It’s horrendous…but funny. I think I like this Porter guy.”

“Trust me, you do.”

More rolling.

More silence.

More worry and turmoil rolling around in my head.

Can I do this? Can I fake date Foster Marlett?

It’s not like we’d actually have todate. It’d just be a dinner or two. We’d work on hitting a few talking points, and I could maybe give him a haircut, because the boy definitely needs it.

Besides, he and Drew are kind of right. Idoneed to get back out there myself and start dating again. Lord knows it’s been way too long since I’ve had any sort of action, let alone gone on a date with a guy, and in that time, the dating world has changed drastically. I could use a good date or two to brush up on my skills.

No handholding. No kissing. No awkwardwill they, won’t theymoments. Just two people who have known each other half their lives pretending they’re virtual strangers. Totally easy, right?

Right.

Foster is like a brother to me. It won’t be weird at all. We won’t make it weird. I know us. We’re not weird.

We’re Foster and Wren.

We can do this.

What if you get attached and he leaves again?

I’ll survive, just like I did last time.

“Yes.”

He snaps up straight. “Are you serious? You’re not shitting me right now?”

“Nope. All seriousness. I’ll do it.”

“Awesome.”

“Awesome? That’s your big exclamation after I just agreed to fake date your ass? When we’re doing this, you better be a whole lot more excited thanawesome.”

“Excellent?”

I point at him. “Don’t you dare try to throw out something better now. I know I’m only worth yourawesomes, notexcellents. It has been noted, Foster.”

“See? You’re already teaching me so much. This was anawesomedecision.”

“I regret this already.”

“You always were a terrible liar, Birdie.” He pushes off the stool and hitches his thumb toward the door, backing away. “Okay, I’m out of here. Tell your dad I’ll report for duty tomorrow at noon.”

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