Page 49 of Soul of Shadow
Elias’s eyebrows flew higher up his forehead than she thought possible.
God, she could barely look at him. She had blurted out the cover story about their relationship without considering that she would have to tell him about it. That she would have to askhim to keep the ruse going. She widened her eyes, sending him panicked internal pleas that she prayed he could somehow hear.
Please, she begged.Please go along with it.
After a long pause—far too long—the surprise dropped from Elias’s expression. His mouth spread wide in a huge grin. “That’s right,” he said, lips pursing; he seemed to be holding back laughter. “I asked her to be my girlfriend.”
She exhaled.
“Is this for real?” Mason asked, looking between them. “You’re in an actual relationship?”
“We are,” said Elias.
“But…” Mason shook his head. “But Charlie isCharlie.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Charlie demanded.
“You don’t, you know…” He scratched the back of his head. “Date. Put yourself out there.”
When she rolled her eyes, her annoyance was genuine. “You know,” she said, “you’re not the first person to say that to me this week.”
“You know what?” Lou said. “Mason, we’ll come sit with you. Let’s give the lovebirds some space.”
“Oh,” Charlie started, panic rising, “you don’t have to—”
“We insist.” Lou winked, standing. Just before she turned away, she leaned back down and whispered, “Though I’ll take that money for a bagel, if it’s still on the table.”
Despite her panic, Charlie snorted. “It was never on the table.”
Lou pouted. “Pity. Looks like Mason will have to buy me lunch instead.
“Wait.” Mason crinkled his forehead. “What?”
“Just go along with it,” Lou sang, grabbing Abigail’s hand and pulling her away.
Mason stood there a few seconds longer, his eyes darting between Charlie and Elias. Finally, he shook his head, a small smile creeping into place. Before he left, he leaned down to whisper into Charlie’s ear. “I’m proud of you, sis,” he said. “Elias is a really good guy. A catch.”
Charlie’s stomach dipped.
He had no idea how wrong he was.
For the rest of lunch, Charlie felt like the entire school was staring at her. They stared when Elias took her hand—his palm a comfortable temperature. They stared when they bussed their trays together. They stared when Elias slung an arm over her shoulder, steering her toward the cafeteria exit.
Charlie stumbled along beside him, somewhat unsure of what to do with herself. What was happening? Was he…leaning intothis? She had never had a serious boyfriend before. Never even gone on a date with anyone. She had kissed a boy or two, sure, always when tipsy at a party. But this? Walking through the cafeteria with a boy’s arm slung around her?
It was brand-new territory.
“Charlotte,” he whispered in her ear as they wove through the tables. “Did you just make me your fake boyfriend?”
She glanced nervously to the side. Then, despite herself, a small grin cracked open her lips. “I guess I did.”
“Well, then.” He smirked, pulling her closer. “Far be it from me to blow up the ruse.”
24
By the end of the day, everyone had homecoming dates. It was as if Elias’s ask had set off a wildfire that burned through the school until everyone was paired up. Everyone, that is, but Lou.
“This is outrageous,” she said as they pulled into a parking lot in downtown Silver Shores. “I was the one who decided we should turn this whole thing into a game, and I’m the only one without a date.”
