The Stand-In Boyfriend (Grove Valley High #1)(39)
Now she has the clothes she brought over laid out on my bed and is digging out around in my closet, trying to see if there’s anything in there she deems acceptable. She’s flat-out refusing to let me wear jeans, but she knows I won’t wear something as extreme as what she tends to go out in so we’re trying to find some middle ground. Eventually we settle on a loose-fitting, casual white shift dress with navy stripes that my mom bought me a couple of weeks ago. It brings out my tan from hours of training outside, and the stripes make me feel like I’m French or something—or at least the closest thing I’ll ever get to it. It’s shorter than what I’d usually wear, skimming my thighs, but Sophie insists it makes my legs look great and lets me pair it with some ankle boots. I look at myself in the mirror and must admit I like what I see. She’s made me look like a better version of me—still casual, but in a nicer way.
She glances down at her watch as I turn to see what I look like from behind.
I turn back to her. “Thanks.” I grin and glance at my bedside table to check the time myself. “Only thing is I’m ready an hour early and will probably have messed this up by the time you’re ready to go.”
She just smiles at me mischievously as the doorbell rings downstairs.
She jerks her head in the direction of my door. “Well go answer it then.”
She’s being weird. I glance back at her once then remember there’s no one else home, and I race down the stairs before whoever it is rings the bell again.
Chase stands on my doorstep.
Chase in black jeans, a belt, and a crisp white t-shirt. Chase with his hair combed neatly instead of its usual messy style. Chase with actual shoes on his feet, not just sneakers, and a bunch of flowers in his hand.
“Hey.” He grins at me, looking slightly sheepish.
I can’t help the smile that breaks out on my face, and I turn around to see Sophie standing at the bottom of the stairs. She winks at me. “You’re welcome.”
I whirl back around to Chase. He shrugs. “I figured I should take my fake girlfriend out on an actual date.”
I’ve never been on a date, not a proper one, not ever. “A date?”
He nods. “A date.”
I tilt my head to the side, sizing him up. “You don’t have to do this, Chase. I mean, I appreciate it and all, but honestly, I don’t expect it.”
He rolls his eyes. “Shut it, Chapman. Do you know how many girls want to be in your position right now?”
I snort. There he is—the cocky, funny guy I’ve gotten to know. “And there I was thinking you were a new man, being all sweet.”
He winks at me. “No one can say I don’t treat my fake girlfriends real good.”
I laugh. “Is that so?” With a start, I realize I’m flirting with him. This is what flirting feels like. He makes it so easy to flirt with him, it’s no wonder he always has girls lining up whenever he’s single.
His gaze drops to my outfit, scanning up my body, and I force myself not to shift under his scrutiny. Eventually his gaze returns to my face. “You look beautiful,” he says, his voice sincere.
I feel my face blush. He’s too good at this fake boyfriend stuff. “You don’t need to say that,” I tell him. “Jessie and Abigail aren’t here.”
He doesn’t respond to that, just stares intently back at me.
Sophie clears her throat behind me and when I turn, I see she has my black purse in her hand, holding it out to me.
I grin at her and take it. “See you at the party?”
She nods, grinning wide. “You bet.”
Chase pulls up outside Luigi’s, the fanciest restaurant in town. I’ve never eaten here. My mom and my stepdad have a couple of times and Sophie came here with her family when her brother graduated a few years ago, but I’ve never been. I’ve heard the side salads alone cost twenty bucks.
Chase hops out of the car and hands his keys to the valet as another guy comes and opens the door for me. I climb out and see Chase greeting one of the guys at the valet stand, bumping fists and going in for a man hug. The both turn to face me. “This is her?”
Chase nods. “This is Liv, my girlfriend.”
He nods at me and indicates that we should follow him inside. Chase reaches down and holds my hand, leading me in behind him. I look down at our conjoined hands in surprise. He hasn’t tried to hold my hand in weeks.
“So you get used to it,” Chase whispers quietly, still looking ahead. “So when we’re at the party in front of other people you don’t freak out when I touch you.”
I guess that makes sense. I know Jessie is going and Abigail will definitely be there, and isn’t that the point of this whole thing anyway? “Is that why you told him I was your girlfriend?”
He nods. “Yeah, it’s more believable if we just pretend with everyone.”
I don’t strictly agree with that. I mean, Aaron and Sophie know the truth, but I can’t be bothered to argue with him. I’ve already figured out that Chase is pretty determined with his ideas.
We stop by a table and a waiter has appeared, holding out my chair for me. I awkwardly pretend I’m used to this kind of service. I sink down into my seat, the plush velvet soft against my fingers, and gaze at the table. Rich cotton napkins are artfully folded in front of us with expensive plates set on an equally impressive tablecloth. There are large wine glasses that shine in the intimate light of the room and when I notice music playing, I glance up to see there’s a piano player in the corner playing light jazz—an actual piano player. I swallow hard. This is not what I’m used to.