Page 26 of Faking it For Summer

“Did I just hear him sayFifty Shades of Grey?” Juniper squeals and comes running over to me. “Mia, what have you held out on us?”

“Nothing,” I say, laughing. “He said it’snotaFifty Shades of Greycontract.”

“Oh,” Juniper says, laughing. “I thought he said you guys had aFifty Shades of Greycontract, and I was like,Whoa, how do you go from kissing on the lips with no tongue to anal and whips and chains?”

“Whips and chains, eh?” Luke sounds amused. “You didn’t tell me that was on the table, Mia.”

“It’s not, Luke. Now tell me why you were so nervous when you called me. You’ve got me worried.”

“So, you know how we said I’d be there a week early?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s not going to happen right now.” He looks nervous. “I’m so sorry. I really wanted it to happen, but my boss came into the office, and I’m in the middle of this big deal, and I can’t get away for that long.”

“It’s fine,” I say, though disappointment courses through me.

I love Luke. I’ve always loved Luke. He’s been my best friend forever, but sometimes, I feel like he takes my friendship for granted. I feel like I come last to everything else in his life, and I want to be a priority. But I don’t want to be that girl. It’s not like we’re really dating. I don’t want to be the girl who gives ultimatums to her best friend like some loser. I want him to choose our friendship over his job because that’s what he wants, not because I make him.

“You’re not mad at me, are you? You’re not going to kill me?”

“Of course not,” I say. “Why would I kill my fake boyfriend?”

I pretend to laugh and shrug it off, and he grins into the phone.

“Thank you. I knew you would be understanding. We’ll figure it out when I get there.”

“Yeah. It’ll be fine. I’m sure no one’s going to ask questions we can’t answer. It will be cool.”

“You’re mad,” he says, his eyes narrowing. “Mia, tell me the truth.”

“I’m fine,” I say. “I have to go. Gigi is really excited to get to the bar, and so is Louisa because she’s going to see Preston.”

“Why did you say that?” Louisa says with a defensive tone. “I never said I was excited to see Preston.”

“I think you protest too much, girlfriend.”

She blushes again, and I wonder just how fake this relationship with Preston really is.

“Anyway, I have to go. I’ll speak to you later.”

“Okay. Have a good evening. And, Mia?” he says softly.

“Yes, Luke?”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Okay, I’ll try not to,” I say and hang up.

I throw the phone onto the couch and let out a low yelp.

My friends all look at me.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Juniper looks up from applying mascara. “Mia?”

“I’m just annoyed he’s not going to be able to come a week early anymore, and we have nothing fleshed out. Rafe is already suspicious. What’s going to happen when even more people ask us questions that we can’t answer?”

Juniper nods. “You guys will figure it out. You always do. You’re Luke and Mia. I swear you can read each other’s minds.”