Page 62 of What I Like About You

“You tell me, Hal, since you’re allegedly the one who invited him.”

I grab for my phone, grab for any explanation—but the only notifications that light up my screen are for Kels.

“Ididinvite him. He never answered, though.”

Ollie raises his eyebrows. “Why?”

I shake my head. “I just wanted to, I guess.”

“Are you going to tell him?” Ollie whispers.

I shake my head fiercely. “Not yet.”

Ollie sighs. “This is a terrible idea and I do not condone it one bit. Nope.”

“What if he blasts me online?” I ask. “He’s pretty pissed at me right now.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “Seriously?”

“I don’t know,Oliver. It’s a risk I can’t take—not before BookCon announces their panelists and my NYU application is in. Not until I’m sure.”

He flips me off for using his full name, like I knew he would.

“Oh, so that’s still the plan? Wait until you graduate and hope he doesn’t find out?”

I bite my lip and shrug. “It won’t bethatlong.”

He rolls his eyes and I can’t remember the last time his frustration has been so palpable. “But you like him, yeah?”

I feel my cheeks flush.

Online, Nash is my best friend. In person, though? Whenhe’s nearly falling off swings, or blushing when his friends gush about REX, or joking in terrible book puns? It’s kind of impossible to ignore how cute Nash is.

I’ve been tryingsohard to ignore how cute Nash is.

“He’s my best friend. Of course I like him.”

Ollie shakes his head. “That’s not what I meant.” He checks his phone. “I really need to go. I’ll tell him you’ll be down in five—enough time for you to change?”

I look down at my Snoopy PJs. Even when we’re tense, Ollie is always looking out for me.

“This sucks—I hate lying, Hal. If he’s going to be around more, you legit have to tell him.”

“What if I can’t?”

Ollie puts his hand on the knob and twists. “You’ve read this book before. It’s going to blow up, and it’s going to be your own stupid fault.”

He doesn’t get it, I think as the door slams behind him.

I change quickly into acute but not tryinglook of leggings and a long T-shirt. Brush my hair. Hide my books in the closet because my collectionscreamsKels. Pick up my phone and read a message from Nash to Kels. The last one he sent saysI guess you’re busy, talk to you laterand it makes me laugh and hate everything all at once because, if only he knew.

Operation: Rebrand this Orange Hellhole has commenced.

Problem: I, Halle Levitt, have forgotten how to speak in the presence of Nash Kim.

“So first, I think we need to tape the walls,” Nash says.

“Okay.”

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