Page 51 of The Do-Over

“Thank God.”

“Right?” I smiled and tried to think of the best way to say it—to say it and not sound like a weirdo. “Okay. If you started reliving the same day over and over again—like a time-loop scenario—would you tell anyone?”

“No way.”

I was disappointed. “Really?”

“There’s no way to not sound like you’re out of your mind.”

“Oh. That’s probably true.”

Nick glanced over, his eyes all over my face. “Did I give the wrong answer or something?”

“Nah.” I shook my head and added, “No wrong answers on hypotheticals.”

“Okay—my turn.”

“But I’ve barely started asking you questions.”

“Don’t care.” He looked down at my sweater and said, “How come you don’t dress like this all the time?”

“What?” I crossed my arms back over my chest. “Are you seriously going to talk about the way I dress? Don’t be that guy.”

“I’m not.” He pointed at my body with his chin and said, “But you usually dress like a sorority girl who color-codes her daily planner and secretly hopes to marry a senator. This looks real, like you’re not trying to be a Ralph Lauren influencer.”

“Okay—two things,” I said around a laugh. “First of all, that’s totally the look I’m going for. Orwasgoing for.”

“Shocking.”

“And second, you’re right about today’s outfit—I am feelin’ myself.” I looked down at the leather pants, slid my finger along the outside seam. “Today is Em-centric, where I am only focusing on whatIwant. And today, I wanted to wear leather pants.”

“Well—”

“Nope—my turn. Why are you so antisocial?”

He scowled. “I’m not.”

“You’ve never said a word to me in Chem.” Until Valentine’s Day started repeating itself, that is.

“You’ve never said a word to me, either.”

“But… that’s because of your energy.”

He scowled harder, saying the two words like I was ludicrous. “Myenergy?”

“You put off a very strongDon’t bug mevibe. Next question.” It was the DONC, so pride didn’t matter. I asked, “Are you interested in anyone—romantically—at the moment?”

The scowl disappeared. “Would I be out here committing mayhem in the 402 with you if I was?”

“Probably not but I just needed to clarify.”

“Why?” A slow smirk moved his mouth and his eyes got that twinkle as he looked over and asked, “You got plans for me, Hornby?”

That made my cheeks get hot, but I kept my devil-may-care attitude and said, “Today, anything is possible.”

“Okay—my turn.”

He turned into the Old Market community parking garage, rolled down his window, and grabbed a ticket from the dispenser. “What’s your all-time favorite movie? Not the one you tell people is your favorite, but youractualfavorite.”

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