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“Because I would be more than willing to help you with a makeover if you want to impress him,” Hayley continued.

“Teagan doesn’t need a makeover,” Madi said.

“Have you seen the girls Liam dates?” Hayley replied. “She dresses far too sweet for a guy like him.”

Madi shot her a scowl. “Or maybe, he likes Teags just the way she is.”

“Nah, Hayley’s right, and I have the perfect solution,” Evan cut in. “I think we should dress her up like Sandy inGrease. How are your vocal cords, Teags? Do you think you could handle singing ‘You’re the one that I want’?”

“I’m not dressing in leather and singing to him,” I growled.

“But all we need is a school carnival and a flying car,” Evan replied.

“You know you’re the worst, right?”

“You say that like it’s a crime,” he replied. “Are you really going to deny me the chance to gel my hair, wear some tight pants, and be a backup dancer?”

We all started laughing as Evan pouted. The scary thing was, he was being totally serious. In his mind, recreating a scene fromGreasewas the perfect way to win Liam over.

“In this case, yes. While I love your enthusiasm, I’m not making a fool out of myself to win a guy over. I’m not doing anything because it’s pointless.”

“But, if you like him, don’t you think it’s worth giving him a chance?” Madi asked. “You should at least see if there’s something between you before you give up on him.”

I twisted a stray piece of hair around one finger as I considered her question. It seemed idiotic to even humor the possibility that there could be something between Liam and I. Anything I felt for him was one-sided, and I was silly to imagine otherwise.

“I don’t think he’s interested in me,” I said.

“That kiss showed otherwise,” Evan said. “Did you see the way he was looking at you afterwards?”

I shrugged. “He’s a good actor, that’s all.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Teags.”

“Maybe the next time you kiss him, you’ll get a better idea of whether he likes you,” Madi suggested.

“Or perhaps, you should corner him and tell him you need some extra time to practice that scene alone?” Hayley said with a sly grin.

I shook my head. “You guys are wrong. He doesn’t like me like that.”

“Well, I think you’re the one who’s mistaken,” Evan said. “And when you realize that and need help figuring out what to do, you better come to me for help. I plan to be featured in yourE! True Hollywood Storyone day as the guy who got you two together.”

I gave a nervous laugh and shook my head at him, as I finally heard my name being called up to bat. He was just joking—I hoped.

* * *

I wasn’t preparedto face Liam again. A few hours had passed since our kiss, but I was still trying to wrap my mind around how much it had affected me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and my free period at the end of the day had been a complete waste of time. I was far too distracted to get any homework done.

About ten minutes before the final bell rang, I gave up trying to work and closed my books. There was no point just sitting in the library staring at the words, so I headed to the auditorium early for our after-school rehearsal. I entered the hall just as the final bell rang. I was the first person to arrive and I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed about the fact that Liam wasn’t there yet.

I was still reeling from the kiss, but I knew I needed to act like everything was normal. The play was far too important, and I couldn’t start acting weird around Liam, or it might ruin our performance. I imagined Liam would freak out if he thought I’d actually enjoyed the kiss between us when it wasn’t supposed to be real.

The door to the auditorium opened with a bang, and I jumped with surprise as Liam strode into the room. His eyes warmed when he saw me standing in the aisle, and a small smile formed on his lips, like he was amused I’d been startled.

I swallowed and tried to ignore the way my heart hiccupped under his gaze. Why did he have to be so good-looking? I’d have no problem playing it cool around him if he looked a little more like the beast he was playing. Although, even then, I suspected I’d still be captivated by him. It wasn’t his looks that drew me in. I’d only really started to develop feelings for Liam after I’d seen the guy behind his handsome face.

I quickly turned away before he noticed how strangely I was acting and walked into the audience to find a seat. I could hear his footsteps behind me, and my heart began to race as he followed me into the aisle and came to sit at my side. I gave him a tight smile, before pulling my script out of my bag and desperately focusing down on it.

Stay cool, Teagan. Stay. Fricken. Cool.