Page 135 of Let's Pretend I'm Okay

I smile and let him go. “That’s actually really sweet.”

His cheeks redden and his eyes dart around. “I’ve never done this before.”

I laugh. “Neither have they,” I say, pointing at Olive and Annie.

Daniel shrugs. “Well, they watch movies about romance.”

I love how he thinks watching movies makes them experts, but to be fair, I’d probably go to Annie for advice too.

Olive turns to Annie. “What’s your favorite movie?”

Annie sets down her book, using her finger as a bookmark. “Give me a genre.”

“Rom-com?”

“Leap Year.”

Olive nods. “Good choice. Historical?”

Annie doesn’t miss a beat. “Pride and Prejudice.”

“The 2005 or 1995 version?”

“Neither.” She sighs. “I wish those two versions had a baby. The 2005 is gorgeous, but the 1995 version is closer to the book.”

Olive’s hand flies to her mouth. “I think I love you.”

Annie rolls her eyes, but smiles.

“Do you watch movies a lot?” Olive asks.

“All the time. We even had Daniel watch one with us the other day,” I say.

Olive gasps, crossing her arms and glaring at Daniel. “And you didn’t tell me?”

We all stare at Daniel, and he shies away from the attention. “How was I supposed to know you wanted to come?”

Olive clears her throat and gestures toward herself. “Have you met me? Of course I’d want to come.”

“Well, why don’t you come over today?” I suggest. Then I turn to Annie. “What do you think?”

“That would be fun,” she says.

Olive’s smile widens. “I can’t wait.”

“Then it’s settled,” I say.

Olive and Annie start talking about which movie to watch, and my heart swells. I’d been so focused on trying to help Annie fall in love, but maybe that’s not what she needs right now. Maybe I need to change my list. Annie needs a friend, and that friend just might be Olive.

Daniel’s phone rings. When he answers it, his brow furrows and his jaw clenches. “Okay, let me know when you get here,” he says. The color in his face drains as he meets my eyes.

“What is it?” I ask.

“That was Laura. She says my grandma is freaking out at the nursing home. She’s asking for me.” He takes a shaky breath and then continues, “She’s asking for me by name.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

DANIEL

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