Page 27 of If the Summer Lasted Forever
“Be my girlfriend, just for the summer. If they think we’re together, they’ll dream up another project and leave us alone.”
“Like…fake girlfriend?”
It sounds lame…but it’s not entirely ridiculous.
“It wouldn’t be a terrible thing to have you by my side when Thomas shows up,” I muse out loud as I run an appraising eye over him. Not terrible at all.
Landon laughs—it’s a real laugh too, not a morbid one. “I’m nearly positive Evie still watches our channel.”
I picture her—this ex-girlfriend. I’m sure she’s pretty. Guys like Landon don’t usually date girls who aren’t.
I’m quiet for too long, and he looks over.
“You’re a little too charming for a fake girlfriend,” I say. “Why don’t you find yourself a real one?”
“I don’t have the energy for a real one.” He tilts his head to the side. “Why don’t you find a real boyfriend to throw in Thomas’s face?”
“I don’t have the patience for one,” I answer.
“Fair enough.” He holds out his hand. “So, how about it? Real friends, fake dating?”
I study him for several moments, and then I clasp my palm in his. “Yeah. Okay.”
Hand in hand,Landon and I walk into the coffee shop. Mom’s not here today, but since Betta sells her art, they talk often. It won’t take long for news of my date with Landon to reach her.
The bell tinkles over the door as we walk inside, and people glance our way. It’s packed for mid-afternoon, but I only recognize a few locals. It’s usually nothing but tourists this time of year.
“Hey, Betta,” I call, stepping up to the counter. The owner is about the same age as my mom, but her brunette hair grayed early. She chose to go the natural route, and she wears her almost white locks long and usually twisted up. She’s the organic, natural type, though I know for a fact she visits the pizza place every Friday evening with her niece for a deluxe pepperoni with extra cheese.
Betta’s eyes go between Landon and me, and a big smile lights her face. “Good afternoon, Lacey. You haven’t been in for a while.”
“We’ve been busy,” I tell her.
She shakes her head as she puts the finishing touches on a latte she’s working on. “Your mom says you work too much.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ve heard.”
Laughing, Betta hands the latte to the waiting patron and turns her full attention to us. She smiles at Landon. “And who might you be?”
Even though Landon isn’t a real boyfriend, I still feel my cheeks heating. This is what it’s like in a small town—everywhere you go, it’s like bringing a boy home to meet your parents.
“I’m Landon,” my incredibly good-looking, faux boyfriend says, giving Betta a smile.
Properly charmed, she laughs like she’s happy to make his acquaintance, but I know she’sactuallydelighted for new gossip. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Landon. Are you staying in Gray Jay long?”
I freeze as Landon casually drapes his arm over my shoulder, pulling me to his side like an affectionate boyfriend would. He gives me a squeeze, reminding me to play along. The problem is that I’m trying not to swoon.
He doesn’t need to know that though.
Betta nods as Landon tells her about his family’s summer plans, and I stand next to him, trying not to breathe in the clean scent of his deodorant.Who does that?
Another couple steps up behind us, and Betta realizes she better get back to work. “What can I get you two?”
We order, and then Landon pays before I can stop him.
“Why did you do that?” I hiss while we’re waiting for Betta to make the drinks.
“Because we’redating,” he whispers back.
