Page 109 of With a Little Luck

Sure!275

My breaths are suddenly stilted as I sort through the rush of panic and the subsequent rush of elation.

I did it! I texted her! I asked her out! By accident, but still. And she saidyes.

Not “don’t count on it.” Not “ask again later.” Butyes.

I start to laugh, a bit giddily. Dinner. Karaoke. With Ari. Tomorrow!

Three dots appear—Ari typing something else.

I tense, holding my breath, anticipating her next words.

I thought you’d never ask.

I’ve been thinking about you all day.

I’m really looking forward—

I’ll see if EZ wants to come too.

Fizzle, fizzle, die.

Eyes rolling back into my head, I collapse onto my pillow.

Eons later, I sigh and type out a response.

Cool. I’ll check with Pru and Quint. See you there.

276

Chapter Thirty-Six

Things girls like, according to Hollywood:

Flowers

Chocolates

Expensive jewelry

Things Ari likes, according to observation:

Thrift store bargains

Popcorn drenched with Tapatío

Discovering obscure indie bands that no one else has ever heard of

“What are you working on so studiously over here?”

I slap my hand over my notebook and turn innocent eyes up to Carlos. “Nothing,” I say quickly. “Just notes for a school project.”

Carlos gives me a look, then peers down at my hidden notebook. One eyebrow ticks upward. “Uh-huh,” he says. “Meeting someone special again today?”

“Special? No. Not at all. What makes you think that?”

His frown deepens. Meanwhile, incriminating heat is rushing into my cheeks.

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