Page 73 of The Best Friend Power Play

"Ah, you both came," Doyle remarks, producing two forms for us to fill out.

"Is this really necessary?" I ask, grabbing a pen. "You know our names. You know where we live. Just tell us the time and place to show up and stand still, and we'll be there."

"It is necessary, Culver, and to ensure a smooth performance free from any flinching…"

He eyeballs Hannah.

She eyeballs him right back.

"…there will be a dress rehearsal one week before the performance."

"Are you kidding me?" Hannah scoffs.

"If that doesn't suit you, please don't feel obliged to participate."

"Oh, no. I am so doing it. And I will be at the dress rehearsal."

"We both will," I say, throwing my support behind her to show Doyle I'm Team Hannah all the way.

"As you wish." Doyle gathers the paperwork from us. "I look forward to seeing you both."

Hannah rage-walks all the way back to her place, muttering about what a big stupid jerk Doyle is the entire way. I have to say, I'm impressed she knows so many synonyms for calling someone a big stupid jerk.

"Don't let him get to you." I open the front door and let her in first. The faint hint of coconut lingers in the air as she walks past me. "That's what he wants."

"I know. You're right." She kicks off her shoes, then shakes out her arms. "Okay. Doyle is officially out of my head." She smiles at me. "I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?"

She heads toward the kitchen, so I follow her. "I cooked," she says, pointing to the slow cooker on the counter.

"Oh, wow. That's so…unexpected. But nice." I make my way to the counter, and as I get closer, I can tell something's not quite right. I bite back a grin when I notice what it is. "Hey, Hannah. Come here for a sec."

She joins me. "What's up?"

"When did you put this on?"

"After you left this morning. I knew you had a physical therapy session and then you'd be hanging out with your nonna until the audition, so I thought it'd be a cool surprise. Why?"

"Oh. It is a cool surprise."

"Why are you talking slow and looking at me funny?"

"Because this is kinda funny."

"What is?"

"It's a very cool surprise." I touch the stainless steel sides of the slow cooker, and they're stone cold.

Hannah looks puzzled. "Wait, shouldn't it be hot?"

I point to the electrical outlet. "Generally, you need to plug the slow cooker in for it to, you know, start cooking."

She slaps the side of her face. "Oh, no. I can't believe I forgot to do that."

"Didn't you think it was slightly weird that it wasn't cooking at all?"

"No. I just thought it was cooking…slowly." She lets out a laugh and shakes her head. "I'm so sorry."

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