“You really think so?”
“I know so.” I shrugged. “You’ve got that scary determination thing going for you. Plus, if the quiz goes bad, I can always fake a medical emergency halfway through.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You’re not even in the class.”
“I’ll be able to sense your distress from across the school.”
“And run into my classroom to have said medical emergency?”
“You say that like it’s a bad plan.”
She rolled her eyes but the smile was still playing across her lips, making her look more happy than she had since yesterday morning.
I grinned, leaning back in my chair. “Now finish your coffee before it goes cold. That’s step one of my scientifically proven pre-quiz success plan.”
“Oh?” she said. “What’s step two?”
“Step two is letting me quiz you using interpretive dance,” I said. She gave me the flat look I deserved. “Or, you know, flashcards.”
“Yeah, I think I might stick with those.”
I watched her shake her head, amused despite herself, and something in me loosened. For the first time all day, she didn’t look like she was bracing for impact. And if I had to act like an idiot to make that happen—well, that was a price I’d happily keep paying.
CHAPTER 18
lilah
“I am not bringing lingerie,”I said flatly.
Poppy looked up from my duffle bag with the most dramatic gasp I’d ever heard. “Who said anything about lingerie?”
“You were holding my silk cami like you were about to fold it into the bag.”
“That’s just… layering!” she protested, pressing a hand to her chest like she was deeply offended. “And besides, if you and Tino end up sharing a room?—”
“We’re not sharing a room,” I cut in.
“—you’ll thank me when you’re not wearing your ripped sweatpants from freshman year.”
I groaned and yanked the cami out of her hand. “For the last time, we’re not sharing a room.”
Poppy arched an eyebrow. “Do you know that? Did you ask?”
“No, but?—”
She gasped again. “Lilah! You’re walking into a whole weekend trip with your fake boyfriend and you didn’t confirm the sleeping arrangements?”
“It’s not a romantic getaway, it’s an award show for my brother,” I said, stuffing clothes into the duffle bag harder than necessary. “We’re staying with Luca, not at a hotel. I’m surethere are separate rooms—you’ve seen the house. There are, like, a million extra rooms.”
“You know, I’m surprised at you, Lilah,” she said. “I mean, you pushed so hard for me and Bear to get together, and you want to be a matchmaker, yet you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”
I raised my eyebrows and stared at her. “Which is?”
“That you and Tino are totally in love with each other.”
I laughed. Well, more like I yelled“Ha!”right in her face.
Poppy just sighed. “You know I’m right.”
