The Fake Boyfriend Experiment(56)

I stared at her in astonishment. “But I didn’t play classical. Aren’t you mad?”

She shook her head and laughed as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You were brilliant. How could I ask for anything more? I’ll go talk to them about switching your application to the contemporary program. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

I nodded instinctively before I could process the question, realizing that was exactly what I wanted. “Yes, I do. That would be awesome!”

“I’ll make it happen.” Then she turned to Rafe, lightly shoving his shoulder. “And you! I’m going to talk to them about you as well! How come you hid your talent from me? I had no idea you were that good!”

Rafe shrugged and scuffed his feet, but there was no mistaking the pleased expression on his face. “I was just doing my thing. I didn’t think it mattered.”

“Oh, Rafe, it matters. You matter.” She hugged us both again, muttered something about having a chat with Rafe’s mom, then hurried off to talk to the woman running the audition, leaving us behind with my mom.

She was beaming at me, too. “Lily, sweetheart, I hope you aren’t upset, but when I saw you and Rafe drive off, I thought you might be coming here. I called Miss Jespersen and we decided to come.”

I eyed her carefully, waiting for her to get all over me for my music choice. “And?”

“I’m so proud of you.”

Relief rushed through me. “Really?”

“You were brilliant up there, Lily.” She hugged me, squeezing tight when I hugged her back. “I’m so sorry I pressured you, hon. Miss Jespersen was right that we needed to give you room. I promise I’ll back off and listen to you, okay?”

I snorted, but I was still feeling ridiculously giddy. “You won’t be able to do that.”



She started to defend herself, then threw up her hands and laughed. “I’ll try, okay?”

I grinned at her honesty. “Okay.” Maybe this would work. Maybe it really would. I was so excited!

Miss Jespersen came running back. “Rafe! They loved you and are accepting your application for the winter term even though it’s late.” She beamed at both of us. “They didn’t come right out and say it, but they indicated that you both nailed the audition and will be starting NESM in January. I’m so proud!”

My mom screeched and hugged me. “I have to go call Dad. We’ll all go out to celebrate tonight, including Rafe and Miss Jespersen.” She didn’t wait for an answer, as she dug her phone out of her purse and rushed out of the auditorium to call my dad.

Miss Jespersen gave us both hugs again and then hurried off to work the room, no doubt trying to cement our applications.

Our applications. As in, me and Rafe, attending NESM together. Together. I looked at him, and he was still looking stunned. I elbowed him. “Earth to Rafe.”

He looked at me, grinned, then grabbed my hand and tugged me down the aisle and out of the auditorium so we could talk. He stopped immediately in the hall outside and turned me so I was facing him.

“Are you going to come to NESM if you get in?” I asked.

“You bet I am.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t even believe this. What an incredible opportunity.” Then he looked at me. “What about you? Will you do it?”

I nodded. “I think the contemporary program would rock.”

His grin widened. “So, we’ll be hanging together next semester, then. Can you put up with seeing that much of me?”

I immediately frowned and took a step back. “The bigger question is, can Paige put up with you spending that much time with me?”

His smile faded, and he got that serious look on his face again. “Okay, so I was going to tell you this earlier, but I didn’t want to distract you from the audition.”

Oh, here it comes. Was there any way to avoid this humiliation? “Rafe—”

“Chris told me about last night. About how you wouldn’t kiss him.”

My mouth dropped open, and I wanted to crawl under the nearest table in embarrassment. “He told you?”

“Yeah.” Rafe looked tense and sort of nervous. “I was psyched when he told me.”



I lifted my chin and set my hands on my hips. How dare he tell me he was psyched? Didn’t he realize that would get my hopes up? That was so unfair, and I wasn’t going to go down that road again. “Who I kiss is none of your business. Why would you care anyway? You have a girlfriend.”

He shook his head, not taking his eyes off my face. “Actually, I don’t. I broke up with her.”

“What?” I smacked his chest in astonishment. “Since when?”