Page 22 of Movers and Fakers

“Who?” Mckinleigh demands. “What sorority is she from?”

“Aurora!” I call out, and her attention swings my way. When I wave her over, a miracle happens and she listens, taking long, graceful strides in our direction. I don’t have a chance to explain or ease her into the situation before Mckinleigh snaps.

“The girl from the library.” Her lip curls. “She’s your girlfriend?”

Aurora stiffens at these words. I throw an arm around Aurora and draw her into my side.

“I’ve been trying to win her over since last semester, and she finally let me take her out,” I lie through my teeth.

Aurora doesn’t move, but I don’t know if she’s fine to roll with this or if she’s in shock. I’m half expecting her to slap me at any second.

“I can’t believe this.” Mckinleigh sniffles and wipes beneath her eyes, smearing the makeup further. “I thought we were in love.”

“I don’t know where you got that,” I reply honestly, and I think I hear Aurora laugh. “But I’m with Aurora, so you see why we can’t date.”

I risk my life and pull Aurora closer, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. From the way her arm tenses beneath my fingers, I’m counting each breath a blessing.

Mckinleigh nods and sniffs again. “I won’t mess with another woman’s man, but if you leave him, I’m first in line,” she says while pointing at Aurora.

“Noted,” Aurora replies in a dry tone.

“Treat him well!” Mckinleigh commands as she backs away, heading for her friends.

“Oh, I will.” The threat in Aurora’s voice is unmistakable.

“Thank you,” I murmur to her as we watch Mckinleigh stumble through the yard like a baby deer in high heels.

“You’re going to pay for this,” she grumbles.

“How much?”

Her elbow rams into my rib cage, making me grunt.

“Not everything is about money, Prince Charming.” She slips out of my grip and faces me down with a glare that could melt steel. “Now are you going to tell me why you’ve pulled me into this?”

“I’m pretty sure she was stalking me,” I say, and Aurora raises a disbelieving brow. “I’m serious. She showed up at the library, and then the other day she got my number and started texting me. Then I found out she was telling everyone here we were in love and dating.”

“I don’t know if that’s stalking,” she says with a pointed look. “But, it is weird behavior.”

“Very weird. I tried to talk to her calmly, but she wouldn’t listen. Then she asked if there was another girl …”

“And you thought you’d ruin my night?” she asks wryly.

I let out a little laugh. “You did say you were already regretting coming tonight. I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”

“You thought wrong.” She crosses her arms and rubs her biceps over the long-sleeved dress she’s wearing. “And now not only have I endured a sticky, loud party, but everyone on campus is going to think we’re dating.”

“Are you cold?” I ask her, and shrug out of my jacket.

Before she can answer, I wrap it around her.

“This is not helping the dating allegations,” she grumbles, but pulls the jacket further around her, shivering a little.

“About that …” I trail off.

“No,” she says immediately. “Whatever you’re about to say, no.”

“And what if I was going to suggest a plan where we tell everyone we’re not dating?”