Page 106 of The Way We Collide

“We have a correction, ho-ho-hoes…” Rachel says in her fake-announcer voice, digging in her bag and taking out pens, slips of paper, and the little hourglass. “It’s the second, biennial, notorious, potentially dangerous…”

“Speaking of danger,” Dylan sing-songs as she dances out with a tray of gorgeous finger foods. “Who’s ready for ghost pepper toast points with goat cheese and honey?”

“Me!” I cry, holding up a hand.

“And the non-spicy option is…?” Liv takes a Solo cup of purple drink, scooting onto the stool beside me.

“Pizza rolls.” Dylan plops a basket filled with little rectangles on the table between us.

“Yum, I’ll have some of those, too.” I lean into Liv’s side, and we both laugh.

“They’re Garrett’s fave,” Liv informs me.

“I brought hummus and pita.” Allie digs out a plastic bag holding a tub of store-bought hummus and a package of pita. “Don’t judge—I was working in the library all day.”

“No judgment here.” I walk around to help her arrange the items on the table. “You brought the purple drink.”

“That part’s easy,” Allie whispers. “Two parts Kool-Aid, one part Everclear.”

“Oh, shit.” We snort a laugh, and Dylan holds up her plastic cup for all of us to cheer.

Then we slam it back, and I don’t even wince. This drink is dangerous.

“Okay, ladies, get those pens ready.” Rachel takes out her phone. “First round is coming in hot!”

“Why am I suddenly nervous?” I giggle, and Dylan grips my hand.

“It’s the battle of the Elvises.” Rachel’s voice turns ominous. “Jacob Elordi, Austin Butler, Bruno Mars… GO!”

“Bruno Mars?” I frown. “When did he…”

“He was an Elvis impersonator as a little kid.” Allie explains. “He was so cute. He was this little bitty?—”

“The clock’s ticking, Bookish Spice,” Rachel fusses.

“I’m not entirely sold on that nickname.” Allie frowns. “It sounds kind of boring.”

“You’re the sexy librarian.” Dylan waggles her eyebrows as she quickly writes her answers. “Take off your glasses, let down your hair, and… Done!”

“I should start wearing glasses,” Allie muses, quickly folding her sheet of paper.

Rachel isn’t far behind, and she and Liv put down their pens and finish their cups.

“Dang, y’all are fast!” I’m still staring at my blank sheet.

“Just write anything.” Allie gives me a hip-check as she refills everyone’s red Solo cups. “There are no wrong answers.”

My lips twist, and I quickly scribble down the names as Rachel yells time.

“Me first!” Dylan bounces on her toes.

“Shouldn’t it be Rachel first, since she’s the bride-to-be?” Liv catches her sister-in-law around the waist.

“Let’s read them all together,” Rachel suggests, and I wait as they all read them out.

“Fuck Jacob, Marry Bruno, Kill Austin.” Dylan cries, which starts the debate.

“I’m having a hard time with the name Austin,” Allie complains. “I can’t do any of these things without thinking of my son.”

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