“You’ve never met him,” I say. “He’s Liam’s best friend.”
Nina blinks. “Liam has a best friend named Ash?”
I blink back. “I was just as clueless. My brother is full of surprises.”
“Well, maybe if he actually posted on social media instead of ghosting for months at a time, I’d know who his best friendis.”
I exhale. “But wait. It gets better. His full name is Ash Ryder.”
Nothing.
Then—
Her eyes widen like someone just plugged her into a power outlet.
“Wait.TheAsh Ryder?”
I nod slowly.
“As in rockstar Ash Ryder? ‘Fire Season’ Ash Ryder? Moody jawline, infamous leather jacket?”
“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘p.’
Nina stares at me like I just announced I kissed the Loch Ness Monster.
“YoukissedAsh Ryder?!”
“In my brother’s apartment. After accidentally flashing him. Long story.”
“Oh my god.”
“I know.”
“No, like—OH MY GOD.Olive. What are youdoing?!”
I laugh weakly. “I genuinely have no idea.”
We keep walking. Or at least, I do. Nina’s still flailing and whisper-yelling beside me.
“He’s your brother’s best friend,” she hisses. “And he’s acelebrity.And you didn’tknow?!”
“I had no idea. Liam never said a word.”
Nina makes a strangled noise. “This is amazing. It’s insane. It’s like fanfiction—but real life.”
“I know,” I groan.
“And the kiss?” she asks, eyes gleaming.
“He kissed like he wanted to wreck my entire worldview,” I say dreamily.
Nina hoots with laughter.
By the time we reach the front steps of the school, she is still buzzing like she drank her weight in espresso.
“I’m just saying,” she whispers as we push through the front door, “anyone who gets kissed by Ash Ryder anddoesn’timmediately combust from lust is probably made of stone.”
“Shhh!” I hiss, juggling my tote bag and the container of laminated name tags.
