Page 114 of Friends with Benefits

“Why?” She ties her hair up with a neon blue scrunchie. “You’re not my boyfriend.”

“I know. But—”

“Theo.”

“I’m such an asshole.”

“No. If you were an asshole, I’d actually be into you. Romantically,” Caro teases, as if Theo isn’t on the verge of a meltdown. “Theo. I canseeyou spiraling. Calm down. We both know that this isn’t… that it was never anything more than sex. I mean. We have nothing in common, except for the worst thing to have in common.”

“Right.”

Caro bro-punches his arm. “We’re cool, Cohen. Don’t screw this up.”

“What?”

“Evie flew across the country to see you.”

“I know.”

“On her birthday.”

Theo drags his hand across his face. “Fuck.”

Caro gives him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder as if their tongues weren’t just in each other’s mouths. Then she exits his room, swiping the half-eaten bag of Sour Patch Kids on her way out.What the fuck?Theo’s so overwhelmed, soovercomeby everything that just transpired that all he can do is eat an entire bag of Classic Lays, take a hit from Dev’s bong, and fall asleep.

In the morning, he texts Evelyn immediately.

hey

7:30A.M.

i’m sorry about yesterday

7:31A.M.

i’m so happy you’re here

7:32A.M.

meet me in the park at nine?

7:32A.M.

washington square park

7:32A.M.

just to clarify

7:32A.M.

there are a lot of parks here

7:32A.M.

or i can come to you… if commuting downtown again is too much?

7:33A.M.

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