She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty

            I was liking myself less and less every day.

            Logan showed me his phone screen. I sighed in relief when I saw what it said: Lie. I’ll go along with it.

            “Oh, I remember.” I said, touching my finger to my chin. “It was the first week of school and I tripped in the hallway and Logan helped me up.” I blurted out.

            I really wanted to slap myself. Wow, Elena, why don’t you embarrass yourself some more. Logan gave me a funny look, but he was obviously amused.

            His stepmom smiled and placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Honey, your son is such a gentleman.”

            “Good job, son.” His father nodded.

            I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I glanced over at Logan who was obviously soaking this all up and enjoying it too. “Anything for my girl.” He said, throwing his arm around my shoulder and giving me a little squeeze. The couples around the table all looked at us like we were the cutest thing since Zanessa.

            I was a little surprised he called me ‘his girl’ but then again he would do anything to put on a show for his parents. I wonder if they actually thought we were in a relationship.

            “So how did Logan ask you on your first date?” Said a blonde woman at the end of the table. I couldn’t quite remember her name. All I could remember was it started with an M. Mary Anne, maybe?

            So they did think we were dating. “McDonalds.” I said, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. This wasn’t a lie. There was no comments on that one. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

            “Thanks.” Logan mumbled.

            “That one wasn’t a lie!” I whispered back. “And you’re the one who told them we’re dating! What’s up with that?”

            “About that…”

            “Yeah, I’d love to know because this is all new to me.” I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow.

            He leaned over and whispered, “Look, my parents never liked Samantha. So a long time ago I told them I broke up with her. They didn’t believe I was single because I was always going out to see Samantha so I told them I had a new girlfriend. And you’re it…congrats.” He shrugged.

            “Hm!” I mumbled, turning away from him. “Way to tell me.”

            “I’m sorry! But it’s not a big deal, I mean, you only have to act like my girlfriend around my family and their friends.” He shrugged and grabbed my hand. His skin was course but I liked the feeling of it on my skin. “Please?”

            “Fine.” I grumbled. I smiled at him and used my free hand to pinch his cheek. “But if you tell anyone I’ll let everyone know about your calls to Carolina…pumpkin.”

            Logan narrowed his eyes. “Deal.” He leaned over and whispered in my ear. “But just remember that I have something on you too…baby cakes.”

            “That’s a terrible nickname.” I sneered.

            “Oh, like pumpkin is any better.”

            “I like it.”