Page 122 of Bookworm

I didn't have a public break-up with Bo.

Still wasn't sure if that was the right call.

But when I'd asked him again, Bo said there was no need.People could think what they wanted. That was all fine. The only downside was…I wasn't sure what we were now. Fake ex-boyfriend and girlfriend, almost-friends,next-door-neighbors with shared history? It got confusing if I thought about it too much.However, we weren't holding hands anymore (which I missed), but he was still sitting with us at lunch (so at least there was that).

Speaking of, I started making Bo extra of whatever I brought to lunch.

This typically involved baked goods.

The guy seriously needed to be introduced to more sweets.

Strangely though, instead of simply eating his own dessert, he liked to mooch off of my plate.

"But I brought you your own brownie," I'd said just the other day.

His response: "I like yours better."

Me: "They're exactly the same."

Bo: "Nah, yours is different."

Me: "How?"

Bo (frowning): "It just is, Kent. Can I have some?"

I'd sighed and gave him half—but only after he'd agreed to let me have half of one of his dishes.It was hardly fair; the only foodhe ever brought was healthy. However,a good bit of it was Korean, and I had to admit almost all of it tasted good; so, I guessed there was something to be said for adding the right seasonings.

I went to another one of Bo's games and cheered my head off. Soccer, it turned out, was a lot of fun. So was yelling.Scarlett still seemed embarrassed by that, but whatever.Bo made awesome play after awesome play.I couldn'tnotyell for him.Plus, he didn't seem to mind at all if the small grins he shot my way were any indication.

Bo wasn't as frown-y anymore either.

Well, that wasn't right. He still frowned (a lot), but theyweren't quiteas sharp. I'd gotten him to laugh at leasttwo more times.And in general, he seemed to be inbetter spirits.

I'd put it down to the dessert, but when I told Scarlett my theory, she'd rolled her eyes.

"Are you that blind?" she'd said this morning.

"What?" I'd said andthen shook my head. "Anyway, it has to be the sweets. He didn't even get all snippy when I called him Marshmallow Bo. I think that's progress."

"You're so…"

"So what?"

"Is there a nice word for a person who's totally oblivious?"

"I don't know," I'd said. "I'll have to look it up later."

"Oh never mind," Scarlett hadsaid, pretending to type it into her phone. "I've got it right here. The word is 'Charlotte.'"

"Hilarious, but I'm telling you, Scar. You should never skip dessert. It's a mood lifter."

One talk that I'd been dreading was the one I had with Mrs. Lee.

I’d handed in my verbal resignation yesterday.

Bo wasn't wearing his brace anymore. He had the full use of his hand again. You couldn't even tell he'd had a bruise on his cheek.All physical signs of the book slap had now disappeared.Plus, A Night Out with Austen was only a week-and-a-half away.I'd need to devote more time at the library in preparation for the event.

Mrs. Lee had sat there, stoically staring me down, as I explained all this.

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