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“Yeah, I think it did.”

“You really think I caught his attention? So, what do I do now?”

I hesitated. Answering this question was much harder than she could have guessed. I didn’t want her to know just how interested Damien was, and how easily she would be able to check that first kiss off her list if she wanted. But I also couldn’t bring myself to lie to her and ruin her chances with him either. I’d just have to give her my honest opinion and hope I could claw my way out of the friend zone before Damien made his move.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” I said.

“What do you mean? Keep ignoring him?”

“Yep. Wait for him to come to you. You’ve laid the groundwork; you don’t want to risk ruining it by acting too interested.”

“I guess that makes sense. Anything else?”

“Keep flirting with me, of course.”

She laughed. “Oh, really?”

I tried to act casual, like just the thought of flirting with her wasn’t making my heart race. “You can never have too much practice.”

She was studying me closely but smiled. “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”

It was now well after the bell had rung, and we would soon be late for class, so we started making our way down the hall together. It was mostly empty, and I felt a little more confident as I continued our conversation.

“So, are broody guys really sexy?” I asked. She swatted a hand against my stomach. “Uh, ouch.”

“What happens when we flirt stays when we flirt,” she replied.

“Okay, okay.” I held up my hands in surrender. “No need to attack me.”

“I hardly touched you.”

“I could be injured.”

“You’ll survive.”

“Nope, I think it’s a broken rib.”

She gave me a skeptical glance. “A two-hundred-pound dude slams you into the boards and you skate away, no worries. A light tap on the stomach from a girl who’s half your size and you need medical attention?”

“You’re stronger than you look.”

She continued walking. “Well, you’renotas broody as you look.”

“But I’m still sexy?”

She turned her eyes to the ceiling, but then they found mine again. “I wish flirting with other people was as easy as it is with you,” she said. “Maybe once I’ve had my makeover, I’ll feel just as confident when I try again with Damien.”

My throat restricted at the mention of her makeover. “You’re still going ahead with that?”

“Yes...” She frowned. “You said you weren’t going to help, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going ahead. Since I got Damien’s attention today, it’s time to move onto the next stage, right?”

“I guess,” I grunted. “When’s it happening?”

“Tonight,” she replied with an uncertain smile. “Bonnie’s taking me shopping. She’s going to make me irresistible.”

“Is this really what you want?” I asked.

“Who doesn’t want to be irresistible?”