Writing the Rules: A Fake Dating Standalone Mariah Dietz (best novels to read .txt) 📖

Seattle, where it rains a solid eight months out of the year, it’s one of the few body parts that’s always exposed, or maybe it’s because I’ve heard my mom talk about how hands are the most expressive parts of our bodies aside from our faces. Paxton has hands that would have been painted and sculpted out of marble, no doubt, because his hands are the definition of perfect. Each finger is broad and long and proportionate, and his palms are large, with strong, defined knuckles, and more than that, it’s the way he is so graceful and powerful with his hands that makes them truly magnificent.

“Your bruise is looking better,” I say, tracing lightly over the purple mark on his forearm left from last week’s game with my finger.

Paxton’s eyes dart to mine with a silent question that has my heart feel like it’s free-falling again.

The door chime alerts us of a customer, but neither of us moves for several seconds, drawing attention to the fact I’m still touching him.

“You want your usual?” Pax asks me.

I nod and reach for my backpack as an older couple steps up to the counter and recognizes Pax as he stands behind them. He greets them, flashing a smile that is toothy and friendly and holds an endearing quality that makes everyone so drawn to him, reminding me it’s not a private look he’s sharing with me every time he greets me.

We’re focused today, him preparing for a test and me too distracted to find casual conversation. When we wrote the rules, we’d discussed me helping him with his marketing class. And even though I haven’t taken any marketing courses, I was ready to dive in and help however I could. I’ve learned that Paxton didn’t actually need help—he needed focus. Instead, he’s been helping me with my microeconomics, a course that my left-brained self has been struggling with all semester.

I’m packing my things, getting ready to leave as Pax refills my cup with Coke to give me the caffeine boost I claimed I needed. These hours always seem to pass in seconds.

“Rae said you’re leaving early on Friday,” he says, grabbing my coat and holding it out for me to put on.

I nod. “Yeah. I think we’re going to go explore Spokane a little.”

“We should be in Pullman around four. We’ll watch tape and do some classroom work with the coaching staff. I should be free around eight. How are you getting from Spokane to Pullman?”

“It’s a crapshoot. We might hitchhike or walk or take a train.” I say as I zip my bag.

He chuckles. “You guys did look it up, right?”

“Look what up?”

“Where Pullman is.”

“Not yet because we’re spontaneous, and we like to live on the edge of our seats.”

He rewards me with another wide smile that has my heart thumping and every flirtatious line and action preparing for their moment on stage. “Downtown Spokane isn’t far from the Spokane airport. Fifteen minutes, maybe, but going to Pullman is another ninety minutes.”

“That is going to be one long walk.”

Pax grins and grabs his bag, prepared to walk me to my car like he still does every time we hang out. “Catching a ride out there with a Lyft will be the safest bet.”

“Bye, Poppy! See you, Pax,” Dominic calls, waving from the back where they make the pizzas.

“Bye, Dominic. See you Sunday.”

Pax waves at him and takes my backpack, leading me to the door, which he pulls open for me. “I was thinking maybe we could go and grab a late dinner on Friday. Maybe around eight-thirty if you guys are done with seeing Spokane and are at the hotel?”

“With Rae and Lincoln?”

“With you and me.”

My thoughts stumble fast and hard.

“We don’t have to,” he says. “I just thought it might be nice to hang out.”

“Yeah. I’d love to go.” I inwardly cringe because while this sounds like a date, I’m not positive that it is, and sounding so eager is guaranteed to complicate things.

But Paxton doesn’t seem deterred by my reaction. If anything, he seems almost relieved. “You know, you could start skipping political science. I could teach you all about it. I’ve still got it all right up here.” He taps his temple.

My smile is so broad and instant that my cheeks ache in response. “I’m pretty sure Dominic might get tired of seeing me that much.”

Pax scoffs and opens the back seat of my car, setting my bag on the seat. “He likes you.” He closes the door and faces me. “But, I’d probably take you to my house to tutor you.”

My pulse is racing, my head feels light, and I can’t stop smiling no matter how hard I try. This is definitely crossing the line and the rules and our arrangement … right? If he were anyone but Paxton, I’d be kissing him right now and testing his response, but the stakes are higher than ever because he’s not just some hot guy. He’s my best friend’s brother, and more than that, he’s my friend.

“Create a syllabus for me to review. Maybe I’ll take you up on the offer.” God help me, I just winked at him.

Paxton breaks into laughter, his chest expanding and his strong jaw and straight nose suddenly looking almost boyish with the expression. I love it. I want to take a picture on my phone and set it as my background so that every time I feel one iota of nerves or fear or any other negative emotion, I can remember him here and now and recall this feeling of excitement and joy and hope. He nods. “Okay. Deal.”

I reach for my door because I should have left ten minutes ago. As it is, I’m going to be chasing my professor to arrive on time.

The parking lot is empty except for Pax’s car. Every time I’m here, this kiss at the end of our study date seems both increasingly familiar and foreign at the same time. Like now, I wonder if it will