Eve: That’s irrelevant, answer the question.
I smile at my phone.
Noah: U DO. Who is it?
Eve: I can’t tell you that. Can you answer my inquiry, please?
Noah: Tell me! I can give u better information if I know who it is. That’s a scientific fact.
Eve: Fine. I would tell you.
Noah: But …?
Eve: I don’t want to leave a paper trail
Noah: Oh my god u are SO DRAMATIC
I laugh as I call her.
“Um, hello?” she answers.
“Okay, there’s no paper trail.” I smile triumphantly. “Now tell me who the illustrious Eve has a crush on.”
“I don’t have a crush,” she replies. “Well, maybe. Anyway … that’s a nice compliment.Illustrious.”
“I don’t know what it means, but I heard it in a movie. Seemed to fit. Now stop changing the topic. Who is it?”
She inhales. “Oliver.”
“Oliver Hutchison?” I say. “I knew it!”
“What do you mean, you knew it?”
“Okay, I wasn’t sure,” I concede, “but I remember your blush in the library. Besides, you two are friends, right?” I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Eve sit with the Hutchisons.
“I guess,” she replies. “But I’m best friends with Ruby, and if Ruby found out I liked her brother, she’d be furious. You can’t tell her, by the way.”
“I won’t. I know how to keep a secret.”
“I should stop liking him, right?” she asks.
“That would be convenient. But trust me, you can’t control who you like.” Before the pool kiss, I tried to convince myself that I didn’t like Henry, which only made my infatuation worse.
There’s a beat of silence as she takes that in. “Damn, Noah. That’s kind of profound.”
“Hey,” I say in a mock-offended tone. “I can be profound! I have a brain, you know.”
She giggles in response. “You’re right, you’re right. I wouldn’t be calling you if I thought you didn’t have a brain … Hey, are you at home at the moment?”
That question stops me short, and I look through the window as if expecting to see her there. The backyard, of course, is empty. Beyond that, the water of the lake is streaked with sunset, and there’s nobody on the path.
“Yeah, why?” I answer.
“Do you want to go on a walk?” she asks. “Discuss this all in person? We can go around the lake … Or not,” she adds. “We can talk on the phone.”
I take a moment to respond, surprised at her offer. Eve and I haven’t seen each other on the lake since our chat on Monday. I still run at my usual time, but Eve’s never around. I wondered whether she was avoiding me.
But talking in person sounds good. Despite my run an hour earlier, I’m renewed with new buzzing energy. Talking to Eve will be fun, not to mention a great distraction.
