Chapter 6 Boyfriend

I should have felt relieved. I should have been walking away from that conversation with my head held high, my confidence intact. But instead, I felt like I had just walked into something I couldn't escape from.

Damn that emotions of you, Amari! Where is your logic?!

Luke had that effect on people. He pulled them in with his confidence, with his teasing words and that damn smirk. And I... well stupidly...had just agreed to something that would probably bite me in the ass later.

Fake dating Luke? What was I thinking?

The moment I stepped out of the library after Luke left, I would like to scream.

"Girl, I swear if you don't spill every single detail, I will actually die."

I sighed, hesitating before responding. "Omg, not now, Krys. Too much to process."

"THAT MEANS SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENED! What have you done really, Amari! You were too intimate whispering at each other earlier!"

I groaned and covers her mouth. The last thing I needed was Krystal blowing up my ears with her comments while I tried to figure out what exactly I had just gotten myself into.

Classes passed in a blur. My mind kept replaying Luke's words, the way his voice had dropped to a near whisper when he asked me if we had a deal. The way he tucked my hair behind my ear like he had every right to.

Damn it, Amari. Get a grip.

By the time I made it back to our house. I had almost convinced myself this wasn't a big deal. It was just an arrangement. Nothing more.

But then my phone buzzed. It's an unknown number but when I saw the message, I knew who exactly it is.

Luke:

This is Luke. I'll pick you up tomorrow.

I stared at the message, my heart skipping a beat. I suddenly couldn't contain my smirk.

This was real. This was happening.

And I had no idea what I had just signed up for.

Me:

You don't know where I live. Plus, I have a part-time job. Need to work the whole shift tomorrow.

In a few seconds, he already sent me a reply.

Luke:

See you there at your workplace then. The coffee shop right? :)

I bit my lip as I read his message. How did he know?

I think I only sleep a blink. The whole night, I have been staring at my ceiling, thinking about what has happened this day. The next day, the coffee shop is busy because it's the weekend and many will come over for a good rest.

But, when the tea is served, I don't think my best friend could wait for the tea to be cold. She immediately questioned me.

"What? You are dating Lucas?"

I rolled my eyes as she shoved her phone in my face, her expression a mix of excitement and betrayal-like I had committed a crime by not telling her sooner. On her screen was the photo he had posted.

It was me.

Sitting in the library, focused on a book, completely unaware that Luke had taken a candid shot of me.

"Oh my God," I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "This guy..."

Krystal wasn't listening. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? YOU'RE BASICALLY CAMPUS ROYALTY NOW!"

I sighed. "Krys, I told you-it's not a big deal. His family saw us together and assumed I was his girlfriend. This is just a deal-"

"Even so, Amari! You hit the fucking jackpot!" She practically shook me.

I gave her a flat look. "It's a no-strings-attached setup. Nothing more."

She narrowed her eyes, a slow smirk creeping onto her face. "You..."

I hesitated. "What?"

"You like him, don't you?"

I nearly dropped the tray I was carrying. "W-What?! No! What are you even saying?"

Krystal leaned closer, her grin widening. "Don't tell me that the logical, smart, goal-oriented Amanda Riley Lopez would just agree to a deal with someone she doesn't like? Hmm?"

I swallowed. Hard.

"Take your damn cheesecake and stop talking." I shoved her plate toward her.

She just giggled. "You are lying when you're obviously blushing!"

"Waitress, please!"

Thank God!

I continued walking to the other table to get the orders. My best friend still couldn't stop looking at me. Showing me her teasing grin.

Before I could argue, the café door swung open, and suddenly, the energy in the room shifted.

Whispers. Stares. A few audible gasps.

I turned-and there he was.

Lucas Trail Grant.

Dressed in casual jeans and a fitted black shirt, looking so effortless that I wanted to scream. His eyes scanned the room, locked onto mine, and that infuriating smirk curled on his lips. I immediately went to the counter after I finished getting the list of orders. But before I could settle down, I saw Luke also going to the counter.

"Good morning, girlfriend."

Oh. My. God.

I was so screwed.

He casually placed his hands on it as he leaned forward. His eyes never left mine.

"So, what's good here, Miss Attorney?"

I shot him a glare, my face burning. "Don't call me that."

His smirk deepened. "What? I think it suits you."

Oh, I will murder him. Murder him for making my heart thump so fast.

Forcing myself to ignore the heat crawling up my neck, I put on my best professional smile.

"What can I get for you today, Sir?"

Luke chuckled under his breath, clearly enjoying how flustered I was.

"I'll take whatever you recommend. Surprise me."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I punched in a random order, grabbed a cup, and started preparing his drink.

As I worked, Luke casually turned to the nearest table, where a group of girls was openly staring.

"Morning, ladies," he greeted smoothly, flashing that effortless grin of his.

Cue the giggles and hushed whispers.

I wanted to throw his coffee at him. A casanova indeed!

Once I finished, I slid his drink across the counter. "Please give this to that table-"

"Wait, Amari, I think I need to the bathroom first," my co-worker just said so I don't have a choice but to deliver it by myself.

"Here..." I said while looking at his hand. I can't see him eye to eye, okay?

Luke picked it up, inspecting it like he actually cared about what I gave him. Then he took a slow sip, his eyes flicking back to mine.

So now, our eyes meet.

I crossed my arms. "W-Well?"

He hummed thoughtfully before nodding. "Not bad. Sweet. A little strong. Kind of like you."

Krystal choked on her iced latte.

I looked at her and she just gave me a peace sign. She's obviously listening since her table is just behind Luke's.

I clenched my jaw, ignoring the butterflies wreaking havoc in my stomach.

"Enjoy your drink, Lucas." I shot back sweetly.

Luke grinned, clearly entertained.

"Oh, I will." He took another sip before leaning in slightly, lowering his voice just for me. "By the way, you should check your phone."

I frowned. "About the photo again?"

He winked. "You'll see."

I exhaled sharply, grabbing my phone from my apron pocket.

And then my heart stopped.

Luke had posted another photo.

This time? It was of me. Right here. At work. Another candid shot of me focused on making his drink. The caption?

'Tastes sweet. But the barista's even sweeter. '

My hands clenched around my phone. I looked at him and he just grinned at me while sipping on his coffee. I gasped, trying to be composed, even though I thought I would have a heart attack.

"So, this is your grand way of letting the world know we're fake dating?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I mirrored his smirk, determined to take back some control.

Luke leaned back in his seat, the picture of ease. "Why not? You're the first woman my family actually believes I'm dating. Might as well make it official... publicly."

I tilted my head, letting out a low chuckle.

"Alright, if that's how you want to play it, boyfriend..." I let the word roll off my tongue with extra sweetness, watching as his smirk deepened, his expression unreadable but undeniably entertained.

With a swift movement, I reached for my phone, flicking it open. My fingers moved quickly as I framed his face in the shot, zooming in on that smirk of his. He didn't stop me, didn't ask what I was doing. If anything, he seemed to enjoy the game.

I took the shot-perfectly timed, perfectly composed. Then, without a second thought, I opened my social media account and posted it, the caption already in my mind.

'Serving my favorite customer.'

"Check your phone too, Luke..." Without hearing his response, I turned on my heel and strode back to the counter, pretending my pulse wasn't racing.

I could still feel his eyes on me.

And worst of all?

I wasn't sure I hated to call him...boyfriend.