Page 70 of Library or Lattes?

“How’d you know I was angry?”

“Psychic.” She grinned. “Or maybe those little lines between your eyes.”

“Well, you’re not going to believe this.” I was really pissed.

“Try me.” Lennie propped her chin on her hands as I told her everything.

“It was literally the most perfect kiss. Like seriously. It was a movie kiss, in the pouring rain in the middle of the street. I mean, I’ve been spending all my time with him.”

Lennie snorted in agreement. “Yes you have … But you can’t just thumbs-up after a kiss. And definitely not after a kiss like that …”

“I don’t get it. At all. I thought … I don’t know, I kind of thought we were really together or something? And now I feel like I’ve totally misread the situation.”

Lennie looked at me sternly. “No. This is not your fault, not one bit, so you will not go around thinking that. Okay?”

“Okay.” I nodded, but I was unconvinced.

“Maybe … he was just super excited to see you today and now he’s sad?”

“I don’t think that’s it.” I stuffed my cookie in my mouth.

“Look, it must have been a big deal for the Weatherman to go all soft and gooey with you. I can’t believe I’m the one saying this—you must have taught me well—but why don’t you give him the benefit of the doubt? Invite him to Krista’s party? He’ll have to answer the invitation either way. Ooh—you can wear something hot. Like you can theme up with me and Sara if you want? Stranger Things? I think you might have missed that whole convo. You could be Chrissy the cheerleader from season four? Or Max? You’ve already got the red hair!” Lennie had a million ideas.

“I don’t know …” Would it be weird to ask, after the thumb?

“Let’s draft a message and then you can decide if you want to send it.” Lennie held out her hand for my phone and starting typing like mad.

Me: Oh, btw, Lennie was just telling me about our friend’s Halloween party on Friday if you wanted to go with me?

My finger hovered over the Send button. If I sent this message and he said no, or gave me a thumbs-up, I didn’t know if I could handle it. That kiss had been movie-perfect, and now he’d what? Panicked? Changed his mind?

I could still feel the rain on my face. His lips on mine …

“Send it! He’d be lucky to go to a party with you!” Lennie insisted. So I inhaled and hit Send, deliberately not looking at the stupid thumb as I did.

Theo is typing …

Theo is typing …

I held my breath. And this time an actual message popped up on-screen.

Theo: Sorry can’t, I’ve got plans then.

With a lump in my throat, I showed Lennie the screen. I knew it, I knew the real Theo was an ass. I should have trusted my instincts, because first impressions always count.

“I didn’t even tell him what time it was.” My voice was shaking in anger.

Lennie was disgusted. “Okay—I’m changing my mind. Screw this guy, you don’t need him at all.”

“You’re so right. I don’t need him! I’ll get into the program without him too.”

“Obviously.” Lennie took the phone from my hand and put it face down on the table. She squeezed my hands and looked into my eyes. “You’re Willa Taylor. Stunning Queen of Fire. You do not need some stupid weatherman-child distracting you from your destiny.”

And just like that, something snapped. “You’re always right, Len. I’m going to focus on me. I don’t even remember his name,” I said, almost convinced.

“Whose name?” Lennie played along.

“Exactly.”