“Yeah, babe?” I say as I stop next to her. I nod at Jordan, acknowledging him.
“Hey, Forest,” he mutters nervously. “Sorry, I wasn’t aware you and Aria were dating.”
I lift my hand, and wrapping my fingers around the back of Aria’s neck, I pull her to me. “No worries.”
“Prove it,” Julianne suddenly calls out, and then she pushes her way through the crowd.
Aria lets out a huff. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I’ve never seen the two of you kiss.” Her gaze sharpens. “I think you’re bullshitting us. Everyone knows you’re just friends. I dare you to kiss.”
What the fuck?
Aria turns her body toward mine, and taking hold of the back of my neck, she pulls me down. “Let’s just kiss so they’ll back off.”
What?
I’m still trying to catch up to what’s happening when Aria presses her mouth to mine.
I’m stunned out of my mind and freeze.
Aria’s mouth lingers on mine, and my heart begins to beat faster, my muscles tightening.
“Play along,” she mumbles against me.
As if I’m on autopilot, I tilt my head and bringing my hands to her face, I cup her cheeks.
When I move my lips against hers, the people around us fade away. There’s no dare. There’s nothing but Aria's lips parting.
ARIA
I’m overly aware of the group surrounding us, and wanting to get rid of Jordan and Julianne, I try to encourage Forest to play along.
Damn, I’m going to owe Forest big time for this favor.
Knowing this kiss needs to look like the real thing, I part my lips and draw Forest’s bottom lip between mine. My insides tighten in a way they never have before, and the sensation startles me. Not wanting to push things too far, I pull back. My eyes lock on Forest’s gray eyes.
Shit, he looks pissed off.
Not caring about what people think anymore, I grab hold of Forest’s hand and drag him after me as I make a bee-line for the cars where we can have some privacy.
Once we reach Forest’s car, where the music isn’t as loud, I turn to him and give him my best apologetic face. “Sorry about that.”
When Forest just stares at me, I begin to ramble, “I didn’t want to hurt Jordan’s feelings, and I know no guy will go up against you. Julianne didn’t help either.”
Honestly, I’m so tired of either being hit on by a total asshole or a way too nice guy who has the emotional capacity of a fish.
A frown forms on Forest’s forehead. His voice is low and angry as he asks, “So you just kiss me?”
“He keeps asking me on a date.” I let out a miserable sigh. “Jordan probably thinks I’m playing hard to get, and I don’t want to lead him on. The more I say no, the harder he tries, and I ran out of excuses. I didn’t think a harmless kiss between us would matter.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was bothering you?” Forest asks, his eyes locked on mine.
“Come on, we’re talking about Jordan. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, and besides, I can’t run to you with every problem,” I explain. “I thought I’d be able to let him down gently without hurting his feelings by pretending we’re in a relationship.”
Forest seems to think about something. “You’re aware Jordan will be at Trinity? We’ll have to keep up this act now.”
Oh crap.
“Fuck, Julianne as well, and she’s like a dog with a bone.” Forest looks pissed off again as he snaps, “Can you believe she asked me if my cock was broken just because I’m not dating anyone?”
“What?” I gasp. I turn my head, my gaze already searching around the bonfire for the bitch. No one messes with Forest and gets away with it. I’d freaking kill for him. “I’ll slap her so hard,” I begin to threaten.
“You’re not getting into a fight because of me,” Forest instantly snuffs my idea.
Turning my gaze back to his, I ask, “I’m forgiven?” Knowing he won’t be able to stay mad at me, I give him my cutest pleading face.
A grin tugs at his lips, “Yeah.” Then he takes a deep breath. “Still, what are we going to do now? Tell them we broke up when we see them at the academy?”
Shoot, that’s not going to work. I worry my bottom lip, then reply, “They won’t fall for it. They’ll know it was all an act.”
“Or,” Forest murmurs, making my gaze dart back up to his, “we could fake it for a while. At least until they get the message.”
Surprised, I gawk at my best friend. “You’d do that for me?”
Forest shrugs. “A couple of kisses and holding hands. How hard can it be? Besides, it will help stop the rumor that I fucking suffer from erectile dysfunction. It’s a win-win for both of us.”
“But what if you meet a girl you like?” I ask, worrying my bottom lip as I consider his proposal.