Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Oh God, what exactly is happening right now?
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2
ELIAS
The air between us pulls tight as I wait. Everything narrows down to her—the slight widening of her blue eyes, the small intake of breath, the way her fingers nervously twist the sleeve of her sweater.
The whole world slides to a stop around us, and a bolt of heat sears through me.
Elise Walters. Standing before me after all these years.
Ten years of wondering what could have been. Ten years of thinking about that girl from the tutorial who made 1984 make sense and wrote horror stories that kept me up at night. Ten years of trying to forget and failing miserably.
She opens her mouth and closes it again, reminding me of a beautiful fish out of water. I fight to keep my expression casual when all I want to do is cross the distance between us, touch her face, make sure she's real.
Her hair is different now—shorter than it was in high school, chocolate brown waves that barely brush her shoulders instead of the long ponytail she used to wear. But those eyes are the same piercing blue that haunted my dreams. Her curves fill out her jeans and sweater in ways I'm desperately trying not to focus on.
"What are you getting out of it?" she asks. There's suspicion in her tone, a self-protective edge that wasn't there before.
It's a fair question. Why would NBA star Elias King want to be her fake date?
I shrug, aiming for casual, even if my mind keeps spinning with all sorts of wicked answers. "I've never liked Mia, if I'm being honest. She was mean in high school, and from what I hear, not much has changed."
Elise tilts her head. "Didn't you two date in high school?"
The horror that flashes across my face makes both Elise and James burst into laughter.
"God, no." I shake my head vehemently. "Never. Not even close. I don't know what you think of me, Elise, but I actually have standards."
Her laugh hits me in the chest, and my self-control cracks, a rush of longing rushing through the gap. The sound wraps around my ribs and squeezes.
"So..." I try not to sound too eager. I wasn't planning to show up at the reunion, even with James's insistent urging, but plans have changed. It all hinges on Elise's answer.
"Okay," she says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Let's do it."
The relief that floods through me is embarrassing. I clear my throat, trying to play it cool.
"Just so we're clear." She jabs a finger at me. "This is fake. No feelings. No falling in love."
I lift my hands in surrender and feel a smirk tug at my mouth. "Relax. No feelings. Check. I think I can manage that." But my mind is thinking ...
... Too late! Ten years too fucking late.
But out loud, all I do is grin and add, "Scout's honor."
"Well." James claps his hands together with undisguised glee. "This calls for dinner. My treat. There's a great place around the corner."
Elise glances at James, then back at me, her expression still slightly dazed. "Sure. I could eat."
As we walk toward the restaurant, with no paps or fans, thank God, I catch James sneaking me odd looks at every opportunity, brows raised, knowing smile. I ignore him.
The restaurant James has chosen has dim lighting, comfortable booths, and exposed brick walls. James positions himself at the head of the table, leaving me directly across from Elise.
Perfect.
She unfolds her napkin and places it carefully in her lap. I notice her fingernails are short and unpolished. The memory of her bent over my essay slams into me with unexpected force.
Senior year. The tutoring center. I'd been struggling with an assignment on 1984 and was desperate enough to seek help. When I walked in, she was sitting alone at a table, nose buried in a book, brown hair falling across her face. She looked up, and for a moment, I forgot why I was there. My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought it might escape. Sitting down at that table opposite Elise, her eyes boring into mine, I couldn't even figure out what to do with my fucking hands.
Up until that point, I was a fairly confident guy. Had been all through high school.
I did try dating Mia more in response to her outrageously desperate flirting and constant attention. She virtually stalked me for a whole year. I almost ran out of excuses to avoid her advances and invitations.
When we did arrange a meet-up, she came onto me so hard I shut her down.
She went ballistic and flew into a rant, verbally attacking everything about me. How I was all show and no sizzle. Just a pretty boy not worthy of her high standards. Not the jock I made out to be. I escaped from that date, and then she gaslit me for the rest of the year. But I know she and her circle kept close tabs on me, especially on every female I chatted with. Mia sucked some of my confidence, or, at least, she tried, but obviously, not much. Mia did show me what a nasty piece of work she is, though.