The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0329

In full view of the watchful cameras, Julian and I stood side by side in the kitchen, a plate of cookies on the counter before us. We’d already rolled out the dough, cut the shapes, and baked them in the oven. These were the finished results.

It had been difficult to relax in front of the camera crew, including the producer who would call out random commands like, “Put flour on her nose, Julian!” Or, “Smile at him, Piper!”

At least, cookies now existed. The sweet treat might make the awkwardness of this fake date worth it. I reach for one of the cookies. They should be warm enough now.

“Feed her one of the cookies, Julian,” the producer said.

I froze. Beside me, Julian did too. He glanced at me.

What could I do? We were supposed to be on a date. Feeding each other treats was a common date practice. Nicholas and I had shared from each other’s plates all the time when we had been together.

So I nodded.

Julian plucked one of the cookies from the plate. Slowly, giving me time to prepare himself, he brought it up to my face.

“Open wide,” he said with a cheeky grin. It might have been for show, or he was just enjoying himself. He was hard to read on the best of days, let alone when he was actively playing a role.

I opened my mouth.

Julian placed the cookie on my tongue. I bit down and chewed. It was delicious, as I expected.

Julian brought the rest of the cookie up to his own mouth and ate it. After he chewed and swallowed, his smile grew wide. “Delicious.” He inched closer. “But not as sweet as you.”

He was saying it for the cameras, I knew. I still blushed. What a line.

“Great,” the producer called. “Now kiss her, Julian!”

Julian’s gaze dropped to my lips. He was so good at this game. Meanwhile, my whole body locked up. I could do most things, but kissing Julian still made me feel off-balance. It was a line I didn’t want to cross, but I had to or I’d risk losing everything.

I licked my lips. They were chapped. This wasn’t going to be a good kiss.

wished I was going to

upper arms.

+15 BONUS

I squeezed my eyes closed. Hopefully he’d make this quick. How much of a kiss did the producers need? Surely they could extend it out

breath against my lips. Yet just as I expected

one eye and saw

“Julian?” I asked.

who don’t want me to.” He kept his voice soft, too quiet for the cameras to hear over the bustle of the

were kind, but I knew they meant trouble.

toward the cameras. “Piper is not feeling very well. I worry to kiss her in such a state wouldn’t end well for either

“A kiss would look better for the public,” the producer said, “but if

and left no room for

“Very well.” To the crew, he said,

said, “Let’s wrap it

me. “I’ll

want to take the cookies back for Elva,” I said. Julian nodded, and helped me find a container to carry them safely. We lingered there in the kitchen after

a talk about this,” Julian said, and I felt my stomach sink. “We need to think about what our relationship will have to look like going forward. We don’t just have to fool the cameras now, but also the

“I really

to have to kiss again to sell our intimacy

that,” I

was a good looking guy

And kissing Julian felt

you should talk to Nicholas about

+15 BONUS

did look back at him now. He couldn’t be serious? But his smile was kind rather than smug

out what you

ooked my fingers together. “I

said. “If Nicholas fully understands that this isn’t real, and that you

downward turn to the corner of his mouth. Did he not believe what he