Page 120 of Popular Boys Don't Fall For Geeky Girls

Colt smiles. “Thanks. I’m sorry to spring that on you.”

“That’s okay. You can talk to me any time.”

“I appreciate that. You have a wonderful, beautiful family, Mrs. Park.”

She smiles. “Thank you, Colton.” She turns to me. “I like this boy,” she whispers in Korean. “This is your only guy friend other than Liam, right? Should I know something?”

“Chingu,” I hiss at her.

“Are you sure he’s just a friend?” she asks, still in Korean.

“Yes.”

“Okay.” She finishes her tea and stands. “I’m going to say hello to Halmeoni and Harabeoji.” She smiles at Colton. “It was nice seeing you again. And thanks for helping Mia with her math.”

“No problem. She’s a great kid.”

“Thanks.” She kisses the top of my head before walking away.

“Your mom’s wonderful. Your whole family is.” He lowers his gaze to the table and says in a low voice. “You’re really lucky.”

I slide my hand across the table and rest it on his. “Colt, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He forces a smile. “I’m good. Just miss my family.”

I squeeze his hand.

Chapter Thirty-One

Willow

After Colt and I finish our yummy food, I catch a ride home with Mom. Mia is already home, having been picked up by Dad, and she’s hard at work on homework in her room. When I walk in, I catch WillowBot sitting next to her on her desk, talking to her about current events. In the past, I might have gotten upset that my sister stole my precious robot, but it doesn’t bother me anymore.

“Hey, Mia. I just want to let you know I’m home. If you want to play a game after you’re done with homework, I’m all yours.”

Mia spins around in her chair and starts to stammer, “I didn’t take her! I just wanted to see if she’s as sophisticated as Colton’s Personal Tutor. You can have her back.”

I sit down on her bed. “That’s okay. You can hang out with her. Just don’t drop her or spill anything on her. You don’t want to lose her.”

Her eyes grow huge. “No! Of course not.” Then they narrow slightly. “You’re different.”

“What?”

She studies me for a short while. “I don’t know. You’re just different. You’re more fun.” She gasps as her eyes grow huge again. “Colton made you fun!”

“What are you talking about? I’m the same as I’ve always been.”

“Not true. You’re smiling more and you’re not as mean to me. And you’re actually letting me play with WillowBot.”

I scrunch the corner of her blanket. “I’m sorry if you felt like I was mean to you. I was just, um…”

“Too serious.”

“Maybe.”

“And Colton changed you! He makes you happy.”

That tingly feeling enters my stomach again. It can’t be true, can it? I mean, like I said before, I love hanging out with him and he makes me feel comfortable…and yeah, happy. But…

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