Page 81 of Don't Puck the Wrong Brother

"Add a winky face," Cory suggests.

"I'm not adding a winky face."

"At least a regular smiley."

"No emojis," I insist, hitting send. "Hannah appreciates proper punctuation."

"She sounds like a blast at parties," Peterson mutters.

"She doesn’t party," I say, surprising myself with how defensive I feel. "She's funny and smart and calls me on my bullshit. Unlike you enablers."

"Ooh, he's in deep," Miller teases, making kissy noises. "Sanderson and Hannah, sitting in a tree…"

"What are you, twelve?" I shove him, but I'm grinning anyway.

My phone buzzes again. This time I snatch it before any of the guys can grab it.

Study group just got extended to 7:30. Rain check?

The disappointment hits harder than I expected. "She's canceling," I tell the guys.

"Let me see," Miller demands, reading over my shoulder. "That's not a cancellation, that's a postponement. Big difference."

"Semantics," I mutter.

"No, strategy," he insists. "She's not saying no, she's saying not tonight. Ball's in your court."

"Tell her you'll bring dinner to her dorm after her study group," Peterson suggests. "Women love that shit."

"Again with the 'women love that' crap," I shake my head. "Have any of you actually had a relationship that lasted longer than a weekend?"

They exchange sheepish glances.

"I dated Brynlee for three weeks," Cory offers.

"Until you forgot her birthday and hooked up with her roommate," Rodriguez reminds him.

"She had a hot roommate," Cory waves dismissively.

I ignore them, thinking about what Hannah would actually want. Not some grand gesture, not yet. Just something thoughtful, something that shows I'm listening.

No problem. How about I bring coffee to your study session instead? Fuel for the brain.

"Smart," Miller approves, reading over my shoulder again. "Supportive but not pushy."

"When did you become a relationship guru?" I ask.

"My sister used to make watch those stupid romcom movies with her," he admits, then quickly adds, "Tell anyone and I'll deny it to my grave."

The guys are too busy watching my phone to even register the blackmail material Miller just handed them. After what feels like an eternity but is probably only thirty seconds, Hannah responds.

Actually, that would be amazing. Library, third floor, study room 302. Caramel macchiato with an extra shot. You're a lifesaver.

"She said yes!" Cory pumps his fist like we just scored in overtime.

"Coffee will always get them," Peterson grins.

"It's a foot in the door," Miller says. "And she told you her coffee order. That's practically a love letter in college girl language."

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