Page 7 of Fake Dating the Dragon
He shakes his head, “No, we lost the ability to transform into our true form hundreds of years ago during the great divide. The partial shift is all I have.”
I shrug. “It must be nice. I just go from zero to bunny.”
He chuckles, the sound low and addictive. I need to hear more of it.
The Imperial March drones through the room, which can mean only one thing.
“Here.” I slam a couple of tea tins onto the countertop, “Take your pick. I need to get this.”
“Okay.”
The song continues to play, like a death knell, my phone vibrating in my purse. When I fish it out, I see my mother’s lovely face and the dreaded words, “Video Call.” If I miss her call, she will never let me live it down, so I answer.
“Hey, Mom.” I glance back to see Asher sitting at the bar pouring over the little tea packets. He’s already arranged a few of them by color while a couple are away from the pack, those must be the ones he’s deciding on.
“Penny, what is this about Marigold telling me you have a boyfriend?” she asks, looking down at the screen from above like a benevolent god, her readers perched on the edge of her nose.
Behind me, a metal lid clatters against the bar.
“Who is this Anakin? Are you going to be bringing him home for Christmas?” The speaker rumbles as her voice peaks, “Is he there with you now?”
Asher’s eyes find mine, and I’m drowning without a lifejacket, the sea tossing be around like a rag doll. My crush isn’t supposed to know how pathetic I am, and while I doubt he knows Anakin is his code name, if I’ve learned anything from today, it’s the universe is a petty bitch.
“Mm-hmm.” I hum under my breath, trying my best not to flail as I return to the phone. In moments, there’s a warmth at the small of my back and he comes into frame.
“It’s Asher, actually. Hi,” he says, his bright wide smile shining in the little window at the corner of my screen, “I was leaving.”
“No, no.” My mom grins, taking her glasses off, “I’ll go. I need to check on dinner. You kids have fun. Call me, sweetheart. Love you.”
“Love—” I say, as the video drops.
What just happened? I must be in shock. Am I even still in my body?I press my phone to my chest and turn to Asher.
“I know I was completely out of line, but you looked like you were asking for my help. It all sort of slipped out.” He furrows his brow, nearly folding over me as his hand rests on my shoulder.
“You would seriously come home with me for Christmas to get my mother off my back?”
He tilts his head, “ Of course, unless there is an Anakin, then I am sorry I was presumptive, and I’d really like to meet him.”
I shake my head, “No, there’s no Anakin.”Just you.
“If it makes you feel better, you could come over for a holiday game night to prove to my friends I don’t need help getting a date. They’ve been trying to set me up for ages and can’t take a hint.”
Keep calm. He’s suggesting we fake date. Nothing big.In my head, I am flailing like the Kermit the Frog GIF.
I fold my arms across my chest to feign composure. “Sounds pretty reasonable. I can pretend to be your girlfriend around your friends, and you can pretend to be my boyfriend for the holidays.” When I say it out loud, I’m getting the better end of the deal.
He gestures to my phone, “Yeah, kind of like role-play.”
I hand it over and watch as he taps his fingers across the screen, then an answering vibration sounds in his pocket.
When he returns it to me, there is a new message from a contact named ‘Anakin’.
Anakin
Hey baby.
“I should get going. It’s almost time for me to feed Mango. Text me and we can figure things out.” He touches my shoulder and lets his hand run down my arm as he passes.
