The Fine Art of Pretending Quotes

“Boys are gonna come, and boys are gonna go. Unfortunately, some friends may even do the same. But dessert, ya'll will never let you down.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“You can't break up what was never together. But my heart didn't get that memo.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Can guys get PMS?"
"More like MBHS," Gabi replies. "Male Butt-Hole Syndrome. It's an epidemic.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“I didn't mean to fall for her, but I did. And in my fear of losing her, I did just that.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Do you love her?"
"Yeah."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Because relationships end."
"What?"
"If I don't tell Aly how I feel, we'll stay friends. I can handle that. Friendship is real. It lasts, and it's safe."
"Loving someone, being loved... it's worth the pain of losing them.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“I miss kissing you. I dream about it, Aly, and I'm at the point where I might just go insane if I can't do it again.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“If you want to recreate yourself in a new image, you must embrace your inner vixen.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Pulling to a stop in front of Aly’s house, I take a deep breath. With a flick of my wrist, I cut the engine and listen to the silence. I’ve sat in this exact spot more times than I can count. In many ways, Aly’s house is like my sanctuary. A place I go when my own home feels like a graveyard. I glance up at the bedroom window of the girl who knows me better than anyone, the only person I let see me cry after Dad died. I won’t let this experiment take that or her away from me.
Tonight, I’m going to prove that Aly and I can go back to our normal, easy friendship.
Throwing open my door, I trudge up her sidewalk, plant my feet outside her front door, and ring the bell.
“Coming!”
I step back and see Aly stick her head out of her second-story window.
“No problem,” I call back up. “Take your time.”
More time to get my head on straight.
Aly disappears behind a film of yellow curtain, and I turn to look out at the quiet neighborhood. Up and down the street, the lights blink on, filling the air with a low hum that matches the thrumming of my nerves. Across the street, old Mr. Lawson sits at his usual perch under a gigantic American flag, drinking beer and mumbling to himself. Two little girls ride their bikes around the cul-de-sac, smiling and waving. Just a normal, run-of-the-mill Friday night. Except not.
I thrust my hands into my pockets, jiggling the loose change from my Taco Bell run earlier tonight, and grab my pack of Trident. I toss a stick into my mouth and chew furiously. Supposedly, the smell of peppermint can calm your nerves.
I grab a second stick and shove it in, too.
With the clacking sound of Aly’s shoes approaching the door behind me, I remind myself again about tonight’s mission. All I need is focus. I take another deep breath for good measure and rock back on my heels, ready to greet my best friend. She opens the door, wearing a black dress molded to her skin, and I let the air out in one big huff.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“We're all a little bit of everyone.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Never fear, spa products are here."
Grinning, she kicks off her shoes and pads over to the recliner. Squeezing in on the other side of me, she pinches my face in one hand and studies it with puckered lips.
"Kara, if you're trying to kiss me, I should warn you, I'm nothing but a heartbreaker.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“I probably should just shut up and enjoy it." I take a deep breath. "But I'm starting to think maybe I'm just not built that way."
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know it's the most honest thing I've said in a long time.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Dude, what're you waiting for?" Carlos calls. "Plant one on her."
I lift my eyes and am shocked to see Brandon is staring at my mouth. He swallows audibly and flicks his gaze to mine. the emotions darkening the soft green color are too confusing to name.
Does he want to back out?
An exhale of breath leaves Brandon's lips, almost like a laugh, and he scoots closer to me on the blanket. I twist my legs under myself, sitting tall as I face him. He cups my chin and tilts it toward him, drowning me in the now dark-green depths of his eyes, the cologne I gave him for his birthday filling my head. It's woodsy and yummy and I always loved how it smelled on the store testers, but on Brandon, it's even sexier. My eyes flutter closed, and I inhale again, this time slowly. Goose bumps prickle my arms, and my head gets fuzzy.
Brandon slides his hand down the column of my neck and brings the other up, threading his fingers through the hair at my nape. His breath fans across my cheek, and everything south of my bellybutton squeezes tight.
When his mouth first meets mine, it's hesitant, questioning. But as I move my lips with his, he quickly grows bolder, coaxing them apart.
Desire, pure and raw, electrifies my veins as his tongue sweeps my mouth. A whimpering sound springs from my chest, and instinctively, I wrap my arms around his neck, tugging him closer. Needing more. My teeth graze his full bottom lip, and I pull it, sucking on it gently.
He moans and knots his fingers in my hair, and a thrill dances down my back.
Brandon is an amazing kisser, just as I knew he would be. I have no control over my body's reactions. I lose myself in his lips, his tongue, and his strong arms, forgetting time and space and even my surroundings...”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“I'm thinking the only way to show I've really changed is for that guy to be Justin."
My foot hits the brake, and I swerve to avoid hitting the curb. Waving a hand at the pissed-off driver behind me, I shake my head and clutch the wheel with both fists. "Aly, you can do a hell of a lot better than Justin."
Her voice pitches in confusion. "But I thought Justin was your friend."
"He is." I take a breath and change lanes. "Which is how I know you can do a lot better.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Aly smiles nervously. "So where you taking me?"
By the grace of God, I choke down the response I'd like to give - back to my room - and force a nice, lighthearted smile as I back out of her long driveway.
"All will be revealed in time.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Morning, my fellow Hokies! Your favorite class president here, welcoming you to another new year filled with change, excitement, and discovery..."
So far, I'd say she has it about right.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Project Hot To Trot

Operation Sex Appeal”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“If anyone could make me want a commitment, too, it'd be you.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“Carlos’s smile spreads over his entire face. He reaches out, cups her chin, and presses a light kiss on her lips. Gabi’s shocked eyes flutter closed, and when she opens them with a dazed look on her face, Carlos answers, “I’d love to.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“He asked me to be his girlfriend and asked me to Homecoming…”

“Wow. That sucks. I hate it when hot, popular guys do that stuff to me. I mean, asking you to be his girlfriend? Sounds like he deserved to be kicked to the curb. Girl power.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending

“I ram my phone back in my pocket and reread the same page in Hamlet for the thirteenth time. I still don’t see how this is supposed to be English. I have no clue what these people are saying.”
― Rachel Harris, The Fine Art of Pretending