When my parents called to inform me that they were going to meet my childhood sweetheart’s blind date,

He was sleeping soundly beside me.

I thought it was a joke, so I whispered, “Jacob Davies, they said they found you a blind date.”

He lazily mumbled an “Mm” and pulled me into his arms.

“Good girl, in a bit, help me pick some clothes and do my hair.”

Seeing me freeze in place, Jacob opened his eyes and chuckled.

“What’s wrong with you? We’re just bed buddies, don’t tell me you think I’m going to marry you?”

I was momentarily stunned.

I could only awkwardly busy myself.

I didn’t dare look at Jacob. After pushing him away, I picked up the clothes on the floor and threw them on haphazardly.

“Joanne Thomas, look at me.” Jacob propped his chin up with his arm, his gaze playful.

“You don’t really think we’re a couple, do you?”

My mind was filled with the words “bed buddies,” and my hands were shaking. I couldn’t even manage to fasten the clasp of my bra.

Jacob kicked the blanket off, revealing his lean, toned waist. He half-knelt beside the bed.

He extended his hand and expertly fastened my bra for me.

I lowered my head. “Who is the blind date?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Please don’t tell me it’s someone my uncle just grabbed from the matchmaking corner.”

I looked at myself in the mirror, noticing the red marks on my body, still feeling the soreness in my legs.

Jacob was only wearing gray sweatpants. As he walked closer, he buried his head in my neck.

“It’s Tracy Evans.”

He raised his beautiful peach blossom eyes and repeated,

“Tracy, the senior from the art department back in college.

“Don’t say, but I’m actually kind of nervous to see her.”

My hand froze as I was applying lipstick. Of course, I remembered.

Jacob had once secretly liked her, but before he confessed, he heard she had gone abroad.

I thought it was all in the past…

Jacob stared at me and pressed his lips together. “Joanne, don’t get any wrong ideas about me.

“We’ve been through everything together, bare-assed since childhood. Although… you are pretty, I still see you as a bro.

“You’re my perfect eating buddy, car buddy, and bed buddy...”

I felt like I’d been struck by a heavy blow, my body going cold. Looking at Jacob’s smile, I forced a smile of my own.

He continued, “And you know exactly what clothes to wear, even which set of underwear you’ll pair with it.

“It’s honestly pretty boring.

“Sometimes, when I wake up in the middle of the night and see you sleeping beside me, I actually get scared—

“Scared that if I joked with my family and said we’re married, my whole life would be over in a flash.”

After saying that, he shuddered.

Just thinking about it seemed to send a chill through him.

I gripped my palm tightly, struggling not to let the tears fall.

“I’ve got something to do.”

I said, wrapping myself in my coat and fleeing like a deserter.

I thought Jacob and I were in a relationship.

After all, we were like most couples.

We ate together, went on dates, had dinners with friends, and during truth or dare, we’d kiss each other and say, “I love you.”

Jacob would personally pick me up and drop me off on rainy days.

He’d secretly hold my hand under the table during family gatherings.

I never knew that what I thought was half a year of dating was actually just a game of make-believe.

“Joanne?” Mom knocked on the car window, peering in with concern.

I snapped out of it.

Seeing my tear-streaked face in the rearview mirror, I hurriedly responded and wiped my face before getting out of the car.

“Mom!” I feared she’d see how disheveled I looked, so I threw myself into her arms, smiling. “I missed you.”

Mom, carrying groceries, linked her arm with mine, seeming to relax.

“Why are you sitting in the car instead of at home? You scared me. Didn’t you see the news about someone suffocating in their car...”

I nodded.

Suddenly, Mom changed the subject. “By the way, Joanne, um… Jacob’s blind date is coming soon. This time, your uncle and aunt are really serious about it. I heard Jacob has been planning this for a long time. Jacob even mentioned that he’s worried the girl might feel awkward, so with you there, she won’t feel so out of place.

“I’ve been friends with Jacob’s aunt for so many years, and today if you go…”

Mom looked at me, hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

I gave a soft “hm” and forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m just here to lighten the mood, say some nice things, you know.”

Mom looked at me with concern.

Yes, I had a photo of Jacob and me next to my bed.

Everything he gave me, I treasured and kept safe. Not to mention the pages of my notebook filled with love that couldn’t be hidden.

How could Mom not understand?

We quietly walked home, and when we opened the door, I suddenly brought it up.

“Next month, Dad is retiring. Let’s move to Hawaii and settle down there.”

I looked at Mom, who was stunned, and smiled, acting cute.

“You’ve always planned to retire there, right? I don’t have any big dreams. As long as I can be a dance teacher and stay with you both, that’s enough for me.”

Sitting at Jacob’s house with Mom and Dad felt different this time.

In the past, we’d always playfully banter. Last time, we even hid in his bedroom under the pretext of playing a game to steal kisses.

This time...

“Ah, my dear, you don’t know. This little brat Jacob went through so much trouble to pursue Tracy.