Page 24 of The Perils of Pretending
We eat in silence.
I welcome the quiet. It helps me process everything Max said. When he isn’t trying to be silly or get a reaction from me, he’s nice. Someone I wouldn’t mind talking to more. If only he were like the person of the past hour more often.
“Is there anything else you think we should know about each other?” Max crumples his sandwich wrapper in his fist.
I shake my head. “My brain is full. Let’s sit for a bit and if we need to, we’ll talk later.”
“Let’s exchange phone numbers. We can text if needed.”
I didn’t even think of that. I nod and add, “We should also take a photo and put it as our screensavers.”
“Ah. Good point.”
I hold my hand out in front of me, my phone on selfie mode. Leaning toward Max, I position my head until it’s almost touching his. I click the button on my phone, immediately pulling the photo up, examining how we both look.
My heart gets warm and tingly.
I hate that I love how cute we are.
We’re both smiling wide (Max’s dimples showing), touching like we belong together. Like we’re an actual couple. It’s a good thing I know Max will say something that will make me want to punch him and then our equilibrium will be restored.
“I’m going to change the background on Canva real quick to some trees. That way the photo could have been taken at any time.”
After I delete the background and upload a new one, Max takes my phone, sending the image to himself. Thankfully, because I’m a miles member, the plane’s Wi-Fi is free. He gives me my phone back and I add his number as a new contact. His name is appropriately titled Babe.
He snorts. “Princess it is.” Max adds me to his cell.
I roll my eyes. “I’m reading my book now. Enjoy your quiet time.”
Max pointedly takes his earbuds out of his backpack, looking straight at me as he puts the left bud in.
“Buh-bye.” I wave at him cheekily.
He grins, putting the right bud in.
I need a minute away from my fake boyfriend. He’s making me confused with the cute picture, stories of his childhood, and his annoying behavior. I like parts of him and can’t stand others. I’m dizzy trying to figure him out.
Good thing I have a book boyfriend to keep me company the rest of the flight.
Gregory sighed. It was no use denying the pull he felt toward Elana. No matter how hard he’d fought his destiny, he was aware his attempts to ignore his true mate were futile. Hard-headed Elana was his. For better or worse, the Moon Goddess chose Elana to be his companion for life. She always thoughtshewas alpha and not him. How the Goddess thought they would work together was still a mystery. But what he knew for certain? Elana’s lips had tempted him the moment he met her. The second his heart sped and thundered against his ribs, fate had sealed their union. If Gregory had to wait another day to pull Elana into his arms and kiss her, he’d combust.
About freaking time, Gregory!
From the other wolf-shifter romances I’ve read, I have no idea how Gregory could deny his fated mate for so long. I relate to his annoyance. I’m in the same boat with Max. He’s sexy,but annoying.
I tap my e-reader screen, turning the page, waiting to see how Gregory chooses to tell Elana he’s stopped being an idiot and is ready to commit to her.
A weight settles on my shoulder. Turning my head, I get a mouthful of Max’s hair.
Yuck! I puff out air, blowing his strands away from me. His hair is slightly crunchy from product. At least it smells like orange sorbet instead of cheap gel. Lifting my shoulder to get him off me, his head bounces up slightly, landing right back on my shoulder.
He’s out cold.
I debate waking him, ultimately deciding his big head can stay. I shift in my seat, leaning my elbow on the armrest between us, supporting the extra weight on my shoulder. Max is taller than me. The way he’s bent over has to be killing his neck.
The weirdest part about how much I’ve touched Max today is that itdoesn’tfeel awkward.
Which is bizarre.
