Page 58 of Bookworm

Well, he obviously wasn't into me like that.

This was fine because I didn't have feelings for him either.

Just because we didn't hate each other didn't mean it was more.

Why did my overly-romantic brain insist on making it more?

It wasThe Kiss, I decided.Had to be.

I was looking at Bo differently because we'd kissed.My emotions were all over the place because of that one incident, and I just needed to keep reminding myself of that.

"Lotte," my sister said for what clearly wasn't the first time. Scarlett's tone and body language gave off a frustrated vibe."We've been idling here in the parking lot forever. Are you ever going to turn off the engine?"

Snapping out of it, I said, "Yeah, of course. Sorry."

Scarlett furrowed her brow. "Seriously, are you okay?"

"Hmmm, why do you ask?"

"You want me to go down the list?" she saidthen proceeded to count off on her fingers. "One, you got home Saturday with this dopey grin on your face—"

"Yeah, right," I mumbled.

"—two, you didn't get mad Sunday when I interrupted your reading to suggest we practice violin—and I know you dislike both of those things."

"No one likes being interrupted when they'rereading," I said. "Book time is sacred."

"Which makes it extra suspicious that you didn't argue."

"And I like practicing my violin."

"Yeah, by yourself, alone in your room where no one else can see."

I opened my mouth, but she talked right over me.

"Three," she said, "you haven't said anything about the flower shop. Four, you haven't said anything about Bo—who, as you know, I added to your suitor list. And five, as your sister, I know you have a secret you're not telling me."

I blinked. "How could you possibly know that?"

"Because I know you," she said with a sniff.

"Scar, you're a nut."

"No, I'm perceptive"—she held up a hand—"and before youtry to dismiss everything I just said, let me remind you. I love you, but you're the worst liar ever."

My brow scrunched. "I could lie if I wanted to."

"Yeah, and your face would give you away every time."

I wanted to deny it but couldn't.

"So…?"

With a shrug, I said, "There's no secret.Bo and I had a good time. Flower delivery is now on my list of top jobs ever. He told me he doesn't hate me, and for some reason, my mind turned that into something romantic."

"Hold up," she said, her eyes bright, "he said that?"

"Yeah."

---