Faking with Benefits

by Lily Gold

Josh has been head-over-heels for Layla ever since they met, but he won’t admit it.

“Ooh. A rich man. Maybe I should go flirt with him instead.” He stiffens, his hand still on my throat. “Don’t. I’ll end the night in a jail cell.”

Grinning, I trail my mouth down his throat, pressing a kiss to his Adam’s apple. His whole body flinches. I pause, then kiss his neck again. He shudders in a breath. “Layla—” he groans, tensing against me. “Shit.”

“Okay. Give me them back.” She frowns. “But they’re mine!” “Nope. They were a test. You failed. Hand them over.” Begrudgingly, she picks the flowers back up, and I take them back. “We’re going to try this again, and you’re going to act like a regular human person, okay?” “You’re giving out strong alien vibes,”

JOSH: Jesus. LUKE: Layla! Put your shirt back on. ZACK: This is the best day of my effing life. LAYLA: Thanks. Review, please. ZACK: Um. Yeah. Your tits look huge. Five stars. Would recommend. LAYLA: The pants match. ZACK: Please tell me you’re wearing them. LAYLA: Yes, actually, let me just— JOSH: (speaking quickly) Use the code THREESINGLEGUYS for twenty percent off. Terms and conditions apply. The full collection launches August 1st. Layla, for the love of God, please put your shirt back on before Zack’s drool breaks the equipment.

“Oh, you found Josh’s Mute button,” Zack says casually, uncapping the bottle. “That’s nice.”

“You’re so scary,” Zack says into my ear. “Where’s the bathroom? I need to jump out the window to get away from you.” “Most of my dates feel a similar urge. Breathe deep, it’ll pass.”

there’s no formula to a perfect relationship. There’s no checklist you can go down and cross items off. You’ll never be able to get everything right. Everybody has their own issues and baggage and hangups, and there are so many ways we sabotage ourselves from finding love, even if we don’t realise it. But it really is possible for everyone to find their person.