Fake Dating The Enemy

17

Elizabeth

This week has felt like a dream. Being with Thomas is more than I could've ever dreamt of. We've been taking things slow, but I can already feel myself wanting to dive head first. My favorite part? Waking up next to him.

A smile rises to my lips as my eyes wonder over his sleeping body. I reach up to run my hand through his hair. I slip out from under his arm, heading to the kitchen to make breakfast. I find the pancake mix, whipping it together in a bowl. I sprinkle chocolate chips into the mix, dropping spoonfuls onto the hot skillet. Next to it, bacon sizzles to perfection. The house is soon filled with the aroma of pancakes and bacon.

"Something smells amazing." Thomas says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. He places a kiss on my neck, making me giggle.

"Sit. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Yes, ma'am." He kisses my neck again before slipping away from me, taking his warmth with him. "So, I was thinking we should figure out this whole Florida thing." I hand him a plate stacked high with pancakes and bacon, taking a seat across from him.

"What about it?" We were to leave in three weeks. I wasn't sure why he was bringing it up already.

"We should probably tell Luke and Ashley... about us."

"Oh." I say, taking a bite of my bacon. "Well, I'm sure they'll probably put two and two together when we show up together."

"Right, but I was thinking we should give them a heads up. Do they even know we're on good terms?"

"Why does it matter?" I ask, trying not to seem rude.

"It matters to me." He says, holding eye contact. "Lizzy, what we have is special. I know we agreed to take things slow, but I still want to call you mine."

"I am yours." I say, reaching a hand out to grab his.

"Then why can't we just tell them we're dating?" I blink at him, taken back. "I mean, that's what we're doing right? This is the real deal."

"Right, we are." I say, smiling at him. "I guess it just comes down to the fact that we tried to fool everyone for so long that I'm not sure if they'll believe us."

"Well, we won't be pretending this time. Trust me, I won't be able to stay away from you." He smirks at me, causing me to blush. "You mean a lot to me, Lizzy. I want the world to know that."

"You mean a lot to me, too. Alright, we can tell them. We can call them later. Right now, I just want to be with you." He grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. Why am I suddenly so nervous?

*

"You're dating?" Luke's voice is full of a questionable tone. "For real this time? Or is this another ruse?"

"No, it's not a ruse. We are 100% dating." I say, and my brother sighs.

"Elizabeth, I don't want you rushing into this."

"Luke-" I try to speak, but Thomas cuts me off.

"Luke, with all due respect, I care about your sister. She makes me happy, and, truthfully, that's all I want to do in return. I want to make her as happy as she makes me." I smile at him, knowing just how happy he really makes me.

"You truly care about her?"

"I do." Hearing the sincerity in Thomas' voice causes butterflies to erupt inside me. I don't think I've ever had someone care about me the way that he does. I'm not sure what it is, but it's a feeling I don't ever want to lose.

"Just promise me one thing, Thomas. Alright?" Luke's voice rips me from my thoughts. "Promise me you won't hurt her."

"I promise."

*

Thomas

Of course it was easy for me to promise Luke I wouldn't hurt her. I've already done that more times than I could keep track of. She makes me feel like I can truly be myself, and that's all I could ever ask for.

"Thomas?" Lizzy whispers as we lay together, her arm draped over my side.

"Hmm?" I hum, dragging my fingers up and down her side.

"Do you ever think about what life would be like if we would've just admitted to liking each other all those years ago?"

"I do." I say, honestly. "I think your brother would've killed me." This earns me a laugh. I could listen to her laugh all day long.

"You think so?"

"Maybe." She giggles, shaking her head. I place my lips to hers, smiling against them. "I don't care what he thinks. All I care about is you."

"So cheesy." She says, crashing her lips to mine.

As the kiss starts to deepen, I find myself thinking of all the ways I could show her just how much she means to me. Instead, I break the kiss. I tuck some hair behind her ear, smiling at her. I place another soft kiss against her lips, and she comes back for more. I chuckle against her lips, my hands going to cup her face.

"I could kiss you all day."

"Then why stop?" She asks, making me laugh.

"Because if I don't, I don't think I'd be able to control myself. You make me feel things I've never felt before, Lizzy." Her face turns bright red, and I run my thumb over her rosy cheeks. "You're so beautiful. You know that?" She shakes her head, looking away. I lift her chin so she's looking at me again. "You are."

"Thomas-"

"No, Lizzy. You don't get to argue with me on this one." I place a very soft, gentle kiss to her lips. "You are beautiful. I'll say it until you believe it."

"I believe you." Even though I feel she's just saying that, I smile at her.

"Good." I pull her close, her head falling to my chest. If I could spend forever in this exact moment, I would take that chance in a heartbeat.