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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lincoln

“I’ve never been to this restaurant before,” Callie tells me as we’re seated at the Japanese restaurant on Friday evening. The place is decently packed, with many couples on dates.

I smile. “I’m glad to share another special moment with you.” As soon as the words are out, I wonder why I said them. Or what she’ll think of them. Am I referring to the kiss? Nah, we shared many other moments together. Like buying books together and watching movies and going for walks.

Man, who am I kidding? Of course I was referring to the kiss. But not on purpose. I’m so comfortable with Callie, I feel like I can tell her anything. But I have to remember that she might not feel comfortable with my referencing the kiss.

Shifting in my spot, I clear my throat. “So what looks good?” I ask, referring to the menu.

We take a few minutes to decide what to order, then tell the server. Callie takes a sip of her water, her gaze flicking to me, then around the restaurant. The place is decorated beautifully.

“How was your day?” she asks.

I inform her of my activities and she listens intently, as though interested in all my words. It feels like we’re slowly easing back into how we were before the kiss. Good, because I really don’t like things being strained between us.

We chat about her day as well, me soaking up her words like they’re the water I desperately need.

When the food arrives, we dig in. Everything is so delicious, we barely talk and focus mostly on eating.

“Wow,” Callie says, washing her food down with more water. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

I dip my head. “It’s my pleasure.”

I hear some whispers from the tables near us and I spot many diners watching us, but no one demands we kiss or take selfies. They recognize that we’re on a date just like they are and don’t want to be interrupted.

Callie follows my gaze, and it’s like she can read my mind because she says, “Maybe they’ll get used to seeing us together and won’t bombard us.”

And then we’ll break up. She’ll be free from all the attention. Would she miss it? Miss me?

Darn it. Why am I thinking these thoughts?

“Linc?”

Did I mention it’s cute when she calls me that?

“Lincoln?”

I snap in and look at her. “Sorry, what?”

“I was just asking if you want my food. I can’t finish it all.”

An image of the two of us living together and sharing our food pops into my head. I rub my temples to get rid of it.

“Are you okay?” she asks with concerned eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks. And sure, I’ll finish your food if you don’t want it.”

She pushes her plate to me. “Bet we look like a real couple now,” she whispers with a light laugh. “Sharing food and everything.”

I give her the widest smile I can muster.

She talks about work and other things as I finish her food. Then she lifts a brow. “Does your stomach have room for dessert?”

“Just for that,” I say with another smile.

After calling the server and telling her what we’d like, Callie bends close to me. “What are your plans for the weekend?”

I shrug. “Don’t really have any. What about you?”

“Well, maybe we can watch another movie. If you want.”

Oh, I definitely want.

“Sure. At your place this time, right?” I say.

“If that’s okay.”

I reach for her hand that’s resting on the table and place mine over hers. “Of course it is.” A zap shoots through my arm, making its way to my heart. I involuntarily pull my hand away.

Callie’s eyes are wide as she tucks some hair behind her hair.

Did she feel it, too?

“Sorry,” I say.

“It’s…it’s okay.”

The server returns with our dessert and we dig in. Callie sits back in her seat, an expression on her face that tells me she’s in heaven. I feel the exact same way, but seeing how much joy this brings her makes me even happier.

Is it crazy that I want to make her happy again and again and again? When I think about us going our separate ways and other guys dating her…I don’t like it. And I know I have no right to say that, but that’s how I feel.

It’s crazy. She’s free to date whoever she wants.

“That was so good!” Callie says, eyes still lit. “If we come here again, I’m getting that dessert.”

I smile. “Sure.”

We get to our feet and head for the exit. I wrap my arm around her, tugging her close to me as we pass the people. I’m not doing this for show, I just love holding her. I hope she’s okay with it.

We leave the restaurant and make our way to my car. It’s parked quite a distance away, but we don’t mind the walk.

“Thanks for tonight,” I tell her. “I had a great time.”

She faces me, giving me a shy smile. “I had a great time, too.”

I’m about to say more, but something drops on my head. It takes me a second to realize it’s raining. No, not raining. Pouring. It came out of nowhere. Gushes and gushes of water slams down on us, as though someone is vomiting from the sky.

“Oh my gosh,” Callie gasps.

I wrap both arms around her to try to protect her from the rain. My car is way, way too far for us to walk like this.

“We need an umbrella,” I shout over the loud rain.

I do a quick scan and notice a grocery store in the distance. After pointing it out to Callie and telling her they might sell umbrellas, we make a run for it. I bet lots of other people will have the same idea, so we’d better grab one before they’re gone. Or maybe we can shelter in there until the rain lets up.

Just as we reach the entrance, the store owner closes the store. “Please, we need an umbrella,” I say to him.

He shakes his head. “Store’s closed. And I don’t have any.” He gets a good look at me and his eyes widen. “Lincoln Walker! I didn’t realize it was you. I’m a big fan. A very big fan. One second.” Laughing awkwardly, he reaches for something in the store.

Callie and I just stare at each other. Does this guy want me to sign an autograph? Normally, I’d have no problem, but I’m getting soaked by the second.

The guy pulls out a yellow umbrella. “Take it and enjoy. I’m sorry, I only have one.”

I’m about to reach for my wallet, but he shakes his head. “No need.”

“Thank you,” Callie and I say before I open the umbrella and hold it up over the two of us. The umbrella is on the smaller side and we need to stand close together.

I wrap my arm around her, tucking her to my side. “Is this okay?” I whisper.

She’s so close to me, I see just how beautiful and expressive her brown eyes are. Her gaze drops to my lips before it meets mine again. A soft breath seeps out of her, and my heart skips a beat as we stare at each other.