Page 309 of Faking the Goal

"I should probably get going." He glances toward the front windows, then back at me, clearly reluctant to leave. "I can stay until your boyfriend gets here."

I wave him off with a small smile.

"You don't have to. He texted me when they landed, remember? They'll be here any minute."

He still doesn't look convinced.

"What if your stalker shows up before they get here?"

"Con..." I reach over and give his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I'm perfectly safe here. Besides, the guys are practically around the corner, and I'm not planning on leaving the house."

He studies my face for a moment, like he's trying to decide whether to argue with me again. Eventually, he gives in with a reluctant nod.

"Alright. But if anything feels off—anything at all—you call me immediately."

I smile.

"I will."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

That seems to satisfy him enough. He grabs his keys from the entry table before heading for the front door, pausing just long enough to give me one last uncertain look over his shoulder.

"Have fun on your date, Taylor."

I grin.

"Thanks, Con."

The front door clicks shut behind him, and the house falls quiet again. I wander over to the front window, peeking through the curtains for what has to be the twentieth time this afternoon, my heart beating a little faster with every passing minute.

Come on, Ken-chan... where are you?

Conrad has barely been gone for two minutes when my phone suddenly rings.

The moment I see Kentaro's name lighting up my screen, I practically dive for it.

"Oh my God."

I don't think I've ever answered a phone this fast in my life.

"Hey!" The greeting comes out far more excited than I intended. "Are you close already?"

A soft chuckle greets me from the other end.

Just hearing his voice makes my stomach perform an entire gymnastics routine.

"I wish," he says, and I immediately notice the apology creeping into his tone. "I'm sorry, Trouble. I might be a little held up."

The smile slips from my face.

"What happened?"

"My mom called. She asked if I could stop by the apartment for a bit."

My heart immediately drops into my stomach.