We're in Will's car and driving back to Everest and I can't shake the feeling that I've made a mistake in agreeing to his plan.

I spot the building ahead and sneak a glimpse in Will's direction. "I know what I get from it, but what about you? As long as you have everyone thinking we're together, it'll make it hard for you to meet another girl."

"I've had plenty of time to date the other girls." He turns the SUV into the parking lot and circles before he pulls into a spot next to a Honda Civic. "Besides, it's not forever. Just until you feel comfortable."

"But-"

"I'm not a saint, Leila. We both get something out of this," he says as he switches off the ignition. "You get everyone off your back, and I..." he pauses, turning to me. "I get to know you better." His tone is so tender that I raise my face to meet his gaze. I remain locked there, lost in the depths of his dark, soft eyes.

He breaks the connection first by glancing away and clearing his throat. "Come on. I got you back in time. Let's not ruin it by being late."

The next morning, I spot Will's blue SUV coming down the street from my seat near the living room window and a strange dread stirs inside at the thought of what I've gotten myself into. In the kitchen, Cassie washes her breakfast dishes. I leap up and shout my goodbye from the hall. I'm half afraid she'll come to wave me off from the door, but she mumbles something instead, and the noise of running water starts up again.

Will parks behind my Ford, and I slip outside to dive into his car.

"Ready?" he asks as the window slides down and he leans out, his damp hair sleek against his head.

I swing into the front seat and dart a quick look at the living room to confirm Cassie's not there. I reach for the seatbelt, but my hand shakes and I can't buckle it.

Will backs onto the street and moves in the school's direction.

"You going to be okay?" he says when I'm still struggling with the stupid seatbelt as we pass Main Street. He waits until we've gone another half a block before he pulls to the side of the road. He turns in his seat and clicks the belt in place. A moment later, we're driving again.

I'm too embarrassed to say anything. I can't believe I get straight As on my report cards, but I don't know how to work a seatbelt. He glances over at me and laughs. "Don't worry, it's not you. That's a trick seatbelt."

"Is it?" I lean back against the seat, happy I'm not totally useless, though I didn't notice it the last time I was in the car.

"No," he laughs again. "I'm just trying to make you feel better."

A small smile creeps across my face, lingers for a moment, and slowly fades again as I remember what waits for me today.

"What's up?" He asks, glancing across at me. "Something's worrying you." When I don't answer, he says, "Are you nervous about what people will say?" He speeds up, swerving to the left as he passes a slower vehicle before he resumes driving at the posted speed.

I am nervous, but not for that reason. The thought that circles in my head as I sit here, not two feet from him, is that despite what he said yesterday, he might believe the fiction we've created here and try to touch me. And I don't want him to.

"Yeah, a little."

"It's not so bad. You'll get a lot of attention today. But after that, people will leave you alone. Which is what you want."

"What do we do about lunch?"

"You eat with me," he says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"But what about Christine?"

"She can join us."

"What about..."

"Leila, I'm not going to plan my entire day before school even starts. We'll take it one step at a time."

I want to ask him more questions and have him reassure me he understands our arrangement, but a look at his face tells me the subject is closed.

I stare at my hands.

"I guess you regret doing this?" His gaze strays to me, searching for an answer. Will must see something because his jaw stiffens and his hands tighten around the wheel. He focuses forward. "It's not too late to forget the whole thing."

"I don't want to," I whisper, but he hears me and relaxes back against the seat, shooting me a sideways smile.

"You ready?" Will asks as he drives into the school parking lot. When I nod, he continues. "Good. Then let's get this part over with." He finds a spot near the football field. When he opens my door, I glance at the students who lounge against the fence and see how they're gawking at us.

I take my school bag and hug it to my chest. It's as far as I get. The experience of all these eyes following me leaves me frozen.

Will leans into me, his back to the crowd. "Just stay close to me and talk. It'll be okay." He straightens and steps away from the SUV. My feet move mechanically, my body too aware of being stared at, to lose its stiffness.

"I'm going to take your hand, okay?" he warns me. "We'll walk in like this today and I'll talk to you, so it looks natural. Then after a while, it should feel natural too. If we can pull it off now, everyone will believe it."

I stare at his outstretched hand, my heart thudding against my chest.

"It's nothing," he says, his voice gentle. He threads his warm, strong fingers through mine and the feel of his skin against mine is anything but natural. I resist the urge to pull away at the foreign touch. He squeezes my hand. "We can do this."

He leads me forward, and when I still don't talk, he begins for me. "Is your sister working this weekend?"

"Yes." The word comes out scratchy and I try again. "But she's off next weekend and she wants to get some things done around the house."

"And you thought it would never happen." His lips curl into a small smile.

"We're starting with the boxes in the garage because half my stuff is still in there." As I speak, the tension in my body eases and I think I can do this after all. But when I spot Nick and his friends on the steps, I change my mind again.

We stop at the stoop, and Will greets everyone at once. "Guys." He looks at Nick and smiles. Nick stares down at our interlocked hands and then up at Will, his face expressionless.

Hilary darts Kimberly a look and then flashes back to me with unveiled hostility.

The vibe is so weird. I don't know what's going on here.

But it's the look that Will and Nick exchange that stays with me, even after we leave them and go inside.

[Author's Note:

Next installment comes out Thursday at 9:15.

Hope you are enjoying the story.]

If you want to skip ahead, this book is available on Amazon.com for $2.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJXFLG8T