Page 123 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
“I’m not thinking about dating Lila. Can you please let this go?”
“Only if you admit that seeing her impacted your desire to add a profile picture.”
I eye him, hating his smirk. Mostly because I don’t want him to be right, and I’m afraid he is.
“I’m not saying I want to date her,” I grind out. “But seeing hermighthave influenced my desire to upload my picture.”
Lennox’s voice shifts, like he’s talking to one of those tiny yappy dogs people carry around in their purses instead of his older brother. “Cause you’ve got such a pretty face, Perry. Yes you do.”
“Stop it. She’s already seen what I look like. That’s not—I just want things to feel a little more personal.”
“I’m just saying. If youdidwant to date her, objectively, having your picture in your profile to remind her of your prettiness isn’t going to hurt. You’re prettier than all of us. Except maybe Flint, but he has a whole team of people to make him pretty.”
“Whatever. We all know Brody’s boyish charm wins.”
Lennox purses his lips as if considering. “True. It was probably better for all of us that he fell in love so young. Taking himself out of the game might be the only thing that made it possible for the rest of us to ever get a date.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah. You really struggle, Len.”
He flashes a smile. If Lennox has a superpower, aside from his abilities as a chef, it’s his confidence. Though I expect theconfidence helps with the cooking, too. He’s never afraid to take a risk.
“Come on.” He reaches for my phone. “Let’s take a picture. I’ll help.”
“No. I can’t do it with you here. I’ll feel like an idiot.”
“When have you ever cared about looking like an idiot in front of me? Come on. You either let me help you, or I’m calling Liv and telling her what you’re doing.” He holds the phone up to my face to unlock the screen, jumping back when I try and wrench it out of his hands.
He stands and backs away from my desk, grinning. “Okay,” he says, holding my phone up like he’s some hotshot photographer. “Maybe try swiveling your chair around so the mountains are visible through the window behind you. And like, lean forward, maybe? Your weight resting on your elbow?”
Somewhere deep in my gut, I feel like I’m going to regret this, but I also really want a good picture to post. “Like this?” I twist my body and lean onto my arm.
“If you want her to think you’re a used car salesman, sure. Give us a thumbs up and a cheesy grin, and you’re all set.”
I let out a frustrated breath. “Then what? I did exactly what you told me to do.”
Lennox sits back down in the chair across from me and mimics my stance. “Thisis what you’re doing. You’re stiff and awkward. Just relax.” He loosens his shoulders and gives his arms a shake. “Make it more likethis.”
Thatdoeslook better. I shift my body so I’m sitting exactly like Lennox.
“Yes! Better,” Lennox says, jumping up. “Now, don’t move. Except, maybe tilt your head down a little? And put your hand on your jaw like you’re thinking.”
“Should I smile? Olivia tells me I don’t smile enough.”
“Can you smile without the weird expression?”
“I don’t know. Does my smile always look like that?”
“You never smile, so how would I know?”
“Never? I’m not that bad.”
“You are that bad. The line between your brows says so. But yes. Let’s try a smile.”
I reach up and touch my forehead, frowning even deeper when I feel the deep crease between my eyebrows. I stretch my forehead and try for an easy smile, but it feels so forced, I don’t hold it for long. “This is stupid. There’s no way I don’t look stupid right now.”
“You don’t look stupid. Think of the moment when Lila first showed up to help you. What did you think when she got out of her car?”
My mind goes back to that moment, to the surprise I felt over hernotbeing a little old lady. Then the moment shifts to when she first lifted her sunglasses, revealing the deep blue of her eyes. She has visible freckles, which I like, and a wide, friendly smile.
