Page 107 of The Great Dating Fake Off
I lean in, stopping just shy of her lips. “You are a pretty little tease.”
She threads her hands through my hair and closes the distance between our mouths. Her teeth tugging at my bottom lip starts giving me ideas about a round two.
“Good night, kids!”
Both our gazes snap toward the closed—thank fuck it’s closed—door.
The faint shuffling of Nella’s slippers on the hardwood floor grows even fainter as Nora claps a hand over her mouth.
Concern flares in my gut until I realize she’s laughing.
“And that’s my cue,” she murmurs as she climbs off my lap. “I think we’ve caused enough trouble here for one night.”
I kiss her goodbye so I don’t pull her into my bed.
Chapter Thirty
Nora
Adventureland Amusement Park on Long Island is like a carnival that doesn’t travel; not the highest of quality attractions but flashy enough to draw a crowd.
Rosalina, I learned through a few cursory texts, manages employment, and can take a short lunch break on the premises so long as most of her staff shows up and nothing is on fire.
I drop her name at the entrance and the attendant gives me a map with The Sweet Shop circled.The park is bright and bold, a shock of color that lifts my spirits. The ground vibrates from rumbling roller coasters as I maneuver through families, gaggles of loud teenagers, and people clearly on dates.
A complicated mix of emotion flows through me.
Since poker night more than a week ago, all I’ve wanted to do is see Sebastian. We may not have defined our status, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to stroll this theme park with him, fingers intertwined, sunshine warming our skin.
I want couple-y things, even if we aren’t officially that.
We’ve been texting, but it’s not the same as spending time together. I miss him.
And if I miss him now while he still lives here, imagine how badly I’ll—
Nope.
Not going there right now. The man hasn’t even said if he wants a relationship. I have to at least try to be smart about this whole thing.
When I find The Sweet Shop, Ro is waiting for me at a table outside with two coffees and a chunk of fudge.Her black hair is wild with waves and thrown up in a ponytail, not straight and glossy down her back like it was for most of wedding week. She’s in a sequined tank top, black shorts, and teal Converse sneakers, notably different from the stylish dresses, blazers, and stilettos she wore that week.All her fancy gold jewelry has been traded out for colorful beaded bracelets, a leather corded necklace with a single seashell, and—yup, that’s definitely a nose ring.
Maybe managers of theme parks are required to look like cool land mermaids. Or maybe Benji and I weren’t the only ones putting on an act to impress the Ferraros.
She lifts her left hand to wave.
Still wearing her engagement ring.
My fingers itch to text Sebastian immediately to let him know this. He’s going to be so excited.
“Hi.” I move quickly to the table and drop into the seat across from her. “Thanks so much for meeting me. Or letting me meet you, I guess.”
“No problem. It’s a nice change of pace. I rarely get visitors at work, believe it or not.”
I free my phone from my pocket. “What’s your Venmo? I want to pay you for this stuff.”
“It’s okay. It’s free for me. Manager perks.”
“Oh! That’s nice. Thank you.” My voice holds a nervous edge as I lay my phone on the table. “So. I’ll cut right to the chase because I’m sure you’re busy. I know Benji already apologized to you, but I wanted my chance. I’m so sorry for all the drama. For lying to you with Benji, for getting caught by your mother with Sebastian, for contributing to the stress of your week. For hurting you.” I shake my head in disgust. “I hate hearing all that out loud.”
