Single And In Love With My Fake Boyfriend (Single Girls Club #1)

Chapter Twenty

Callie

Clutching our bags full of books, Lincoln and I make our way out of the bookstore.

“Do you want to catch a bite to eat?” he asks as we head toward the parking area where his car is. “There’s this incredible Japanese restaurant a few blocks away.”

“Sure. Sounds great—”

My words are cut off when a group of people with cameras and phones surrounds us, each of them calling Lincoln’s name. And to my surprise, they call my name, too.

Lincoln takes a small step forward, maybe to protect me, but luckily, they keep quite a few feet between us. They throw so many questions at us that I feel like my brain might explode.

“Please, one at a time,” he says before turning to me and whispering, “We should answer a few questions. We’ve never answered questions together.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea,” I say.

Most of the questions are directed at Lincoln, asking anything from his favorite band, fun childhood memories, or if he had any pets growing up. Many of these questions have been answered before during multiple interviews, but he doesn’t mind answering them again.

Then they ask questions regarding our relationship. It doesn’t seem like any of them are interested in me outside of Lincoln. They don’t ask me about my past or my interests. They just want to know about our relationship.

“We love snacks,” Lincoln says with a smile as he wraps his arm around me, tucking me against his body. Even though I don’t feel threatened by this small mob, I feel protected by Lincoln. As though he’d shield me if someone tried to throw an apple at me for not giving them the answer they want.

“What do you love most about Lincoln, Callie?” a woman fires at me.

I’m still not used to all those phones and cameras in my face, and I hate the spotlight, but I swallow away my nerves, put on a smile, and say, “I love how passionate he is about the things he loves. He has such a big heart and gives his all to the special people in his life. I love that I can tell him anything and he won’t judge me for it. I love that he accepts me just as I am.”

Lincoln’s face slowly turns to me, eyes staring deeply into mine. I can see the question in them—did I really mean that? Or am I just saying that for show? Yes, Lincoln. I really do mean that. Even though we’re fake dating, you’re always yourself when you’re around me . You don’t pretend and don’t demand that I do, either.

A soft smile takes over his face, and it looks like he wants to say something to me, but then a man yells, “What do you love most about Callie, Lincoln?”

With a sincere smile, Lincoln says, “Oh, that’s easy. Callie is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She’s always making sure the people around her are happy and comfortable. She has this ability to understand what people are going through even though she hasn’t gone through it herself. And she’s right—I accept her just as she is, because she’s perfect just the way she is.”

I don’t have to look into his eyes to determine if he’s telling the truth. His words are so genuine and real that it’s so obvious. And that causes a swarm of butterflies to invade my stomach.

“So cute!” a woman cries as she snaps a photo of us. “Lincoln and Callie are relationship goals. Hashtag the perfect couple!”

Lincoln raises his free hand and waves to the crowd as they cheer and throw us more questions. “Thanks so much for all the questions, but Callie and I really need to get going.” He lowers his arm from around me and leads me toward the parking lot.

“Hold hands again!” a woman calls after us. “It’s so cute when you hold hands.”

With a smile, I hold my hand out to Lincoln. He returns the smile and slides his hand into mine. It’s just as warm and rough as it was earlier, and I feel just as protected, but for some reason, it feels more intimate now. As though it means more than it did before. And for some other reason, I don’t want him to let go.

I hear the snapping photos and see the flashes of the cameras. No doubt we’ll be front page on certain media outlets.

“What about a kiss?” another woman calls at us when we’re only a few feet from Lincoln’s car. “We’ve never seen you kiss!”

Lincoln and I freeze and our hands slip out of each other’s. My heart pounds all over my body. Did she just say she wants us to kiss?

The truth is, he and I have never been seen kissing—because we never kissed. Sure, he kissed my cheek before, but we have never been seen with our lips locked. As “the perfect” couple in love, we should have kissed.

Lincoln’s eyes slowly meet mine, looking unsure. And he looks very guilty for putting me in this uncomfortable situation. He faces the crowd and puts on a shaky smile. “Good night, everyone! Thanks for all your support.” He makes a move to walk to the car.

“Aw, come on, you lovebirds!” a woman with a high-pitched voice calls. “Everyone’s dying to see you kiss. Don’t be shy!”

“Are you guys breaking up?” someone else calls with panic. “Is that why you don’t want to kiss?”

“You think he doesn’t actually like her?” I hear someone hiss to someone else. “I always wondered what he saw in her. There’s nothing special about her. That outfit doesn’t even make her look that flattering.”

I try not to let their words get to me. It doesn’t matter what they think. I’m fine with who I am. I don’t need them or anyone to validate me.

Lincoln bends closer and whispers, “Forget them. Let’s get out of here. Sorry about all this.”

He wraps his hand around my wrist to lead me away, but I say, “Let’s just do it.”

He pauses and looks at me. “What?”

Keeping my voice low, I say, “They’re right. We can’t keep up our charade without kissing. They’ll figure out right away that we’re just friends.”

He searches my eyes for a bit before shaking his head. “I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to do just to please a bunch of nosy people. It’s okay.”

“I told you I’m okay with it, Lincoln. It’s just a kiss. If we don’t play the part, no one will believe us. Our lie will crumble right under our feet, and we’ll be the laughingstock of the world. I can’t let that happen to you.”

He sighs. “Callie…”

“People will forget about me and I’ll go back to my normal life, but it won’t be that easy for you. Lincoln, it’s just a kiss. It’s not a big deal.”

I know he wants to wait for his special woman, but we invented this lie and we need to keep living it. Or everything will be for nothing. And the last thing I need is to see that smug smile on Spencer’s face when he discovers I really did fabricate this story.

With another shake of his head, Lincoln takes another step toward his car. For a second, I wonder if maybe the prospect of kissing me revolts him. I know he doesn’t have feelings for me, but am I that repulsive?

He slowly turns around and keeps his uncertain eyes on me. Then he glances behind me at the crowd that is eagerly waiting for our response. I see in his eyes that he’s not disgusted at the thought of kissing me. He just doesn’t want to make me uncomfortable.

“Screw it,” he mutters before closing the distance between us and placing his hands on either side of my face. In a second, his lips close over mine, hesitant at first. But as I welcome him, his lips start to move over mine more fervently, as though he himself is shocked by how my body responds to his. It’s like something has awakened inside me, something I didn’t realize was dormant for so long. Spencer and I have kissed many times, but nowhere did it feel anything like this .

My hands rest on his chest, feeling the strong muscles beneath his thin T-shirt. My mouth explores every part of his, a fire igniting deep within me and surrounding me in a cocoon of warmth. Everything around me disappears, and it’s just Lincoln and me, and this incredible feeling burning inside me.

One of his hands tangles in my hair while the other slides down my back, sending ripples of chills in its wake. My hands move along his chest, marveling at what I discover.

When our lips break apart, both he and I murmur, “Wow,” as we gaze into each other’s eyes.

Cheers and applause and whistles sound all around us. I blink and turn my head, forgetting for a second that we have an audience. It really did feel like we were in our own universe. My hands are still on his chest and his are clutching my waist.

“Are you okay?” he whispers, lifting his hand like he wants to stroke my cheek. But he fists it and drops it to his side.

“Yeah,” I assure him. “Are you?”

“As long as you are.”

I’m about to tell him that he shouldn’t push me before himself, but there goes more snapping photos and flashing. I’m sure all the news and media outlets and social media will have a field day once all the photos of our kiss are published.

Lincoln waves at everyone before slipping his hand in mine and bringing me to the car. My lips feel tingly and swollen. That kiss…dang. I never thought I would experience something as mind-blowing and toe-curling as that. It’s as though Lincoln and I have out-of-this-world chemistry that can’t be contained. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him again.

No. No . We’re fake dating.

We sit in the car without saying much. I’ve never had to kiss for show before and clearly Lincoln never had to do that, either. He’s private about these things, so I’m sure he feels uncomfortable about it. I wonder if it felt like one of the best things in the world for him, just as it felt for me. I’m too chicken to ask him.

He clears his throat. “So, um, do you still want to go to the Japanese place?”

“Uh…I kind of want to go home.”

“Yeah, I’m not really hungry.” He starts the car and heads toward where my car is parked.

The drive is completely quiet. Things are so awkward between us now. I don’t understand why. Our kiss was just for show—two actors acting out a scene. But why does it feel like it was so much more?

When he pulls up before my car, he gives me a tight smile. “Good night, Callie. And I’m sorry we had to, um, you know.”

I place my hand on his arm. “I told you I was okay with it. We had no choice but to do it. You’re a sweet guy, Lincoln, but you don’t have to worry about me. Even though I really do appreciate it.”

He nods slowly. “I just hate the idea of you getting hurt.”

“I think I would have gotten more hurt if we didn’t do it.” I lower my hand to his and give it a gentle squeeze. “Good night, Lincoln. And thanks again for the books.”

I wave and get out of the car, sliding into mine. Of course I spend the entire drive home replaying the kiss over and over in my head. That was the kind of kiss I always dreamed of experiencing—like the ones you see in movies. And it was from a fake kiss. Imagine what it would have felt like if it was real…

As soon as I walk into the apartment, I’m bombarded by all three of my friends.

“You KISSED Lincoln???”

Geez, has the news spread already? Well, the drive to Spring Falls did take almost an hour…

Holding up my hands, I drop down on the couch and tell them the whole story.

“You guys looked like you were having the most amazing kiss in the world!” Lizzie cries with humongous eyes. “Did it feel as amazing as it looked?”

“It was the best thing I’ve ever experienced in my life,” I admit.

Both Emily and Lizzie squeal. Alex looks concerned.

“This won’t make me fall for him,” I assure her.

“I hope you’re right,” she says. “Because it’s easy to fall for him if you’ll experience more of that.”

“I know.” I sigh as I fall back on the couch. “Spencer’s kisses never came close to that . I didn’t think people actually experienced those kinds of kisses, but clearly I was with the wrong guy.”

“Clearly,” they say.

“Oh my gosh.” I cover my face and laugh. “What is my life right now?”

“Too good to be true,” Lizzie says with a giggle.

“How amazing would it be if it was actually real?” Emily says with a regretful look. “Too bad it’s not.”

“Be careful what you say,” Alex says. “You might sway Callie into falling for him for real.”

I shake my head. “I won’t, Alex. Don’t worry.” With another sigh, I sit up. “Time to see what’s going on online. I bet my social media is exploding.”

I take out my phone from my pocket and sure enough—social media is indeed exploding. But I don’t focus on all the comments. I watch the way Lincoln looks into my eyes and how he gently holds me as he presses his lips to mine. And how we look like we really are experiencing the best thing in the entire world.

Shaking my head, I put my phone aside and go find something to eat.