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“Because I made him uncomfortable by asking him to the dance.”

“I don’t think that was it. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Like how Mr. Halifax looks at me.”

“I think you’re much more likely to date Mr. Halifax than I am to ever date Axel. I’m just going to focus on Leo.” Leo had said yes. And that should have been enough to make me happy. But it was like Jacob had stabbed my heart and Axel had ripped it out and stomped on it.

“But Operation Sadie Hawkins Dance.”

“Was a success,” I said. “I got a date.”

“We both know that wasn’t the point of the operation. It was for Axel to wake up.”

“I think he’s awake. I think I’m the one that’s been dreaming.”

Sophie gave me a sad look. “Operation Sadie Hawkins Dance was an utter failure.”

I just shrugged. “Come on, we’re late for class.”

“I hope Mr. Halifax punishes me.”

I laughed and looped my arm through hers.

***

“So...” My dad’s voice trailed off as he drove me home. “You asked Axel to the dance?”

“You don’t have to pretend you didn’t hear the whole conversation.”

My dad drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel. “Did you want him to say yes?”

I stared at him. “No, I asked him because I wanted him to say no.”

My dad didn’t respond. He seemed lost in thought.

I sighed and stared out the windshield. It had started to rain. The air kept growing colder and colder and I was looking forward to the first snow of the season. I pressed my lips together. But snow reminded me of drinking hot chocolate at the Caldwell mansion with Jacob, Axel, and Soph. Maybe I wasn’t looking forward to snow after all.

“I could talk to him for you,” my dad said.

My head snapped back toward him. “Don’t you dare.”

“But, I...”

“Dad, please. It’s embarrassing enough that he said no.”

“He didn’t say no. He said he wanted to go as friends.”

I rolled my eyes. “That is saying no. And it’s fine.” But it wasn’t fine. I’d had all day to think of how un-fine it was. I’d already accepted that Axel didn’t like me at homecoming. But there was this small hope in my chest after Halloween that maybe he’d changed his mind. He’d shown up when I needed him and gotten me out of the house. We’d had so much fun.

But maybe that’s what friends did. And I’d just read into everything too much again. Like always.

“Fine, hm?” my dad asked.

“Yes. I’m going with Leo instead.”

“Leo?”

“Yeah. My kiss...” I coughed into my hand. I’d almost let it slip that I’d had a kiss thief.

“Your what?”