Page 73 of Library or Lattes?

I opened my messages and there was Theo’s name, right at the top. I closed my eyes as nausea churned in my gut.

Opening one eye, I read what I’d written. At 11:56 p.m.

Me: Why can’t yoyj joiust biuhk ljdm

Theo: ?

I exhaled as the panic diluted. Thank God he had no clue what I was trying to say. I didn’t even have a clue what I was trying to say. I’d been so determined not to think of him, and there it was, evidence that I had been thinking of him, and now he knew it too.

I pulled my duvet over my head. I wouldn’t go to the library today. I couldn’t deal with his stupid face. But then he’d know he’d won …

“Willa. Coffee?” Pop knocked on the door.

“Sure, Pop, thanks,” I said as loudly and as breezily as possible, hoping he wouldn’t guess that I’d been drinking. Not that he’d be that mad, but I knew he’d get his worried face and I couldn’t deal with that right now either.

I stuck to my plans, forcing every step, and at the library, I stopped at Jo’s desk first. Bright red dress today, with her hair tied up in a flowery scarf and glitter eyeshadow making her brown eyes sparkle even more.

“Hi.” I smiled. “Is …?”

“Theo here?” she finished for me.

Oh my God.

“No … I mean, yes. But only because I was thinking of sitting somewhere else today …” And then I wished I hadn’t said anything at all, because she looked so concerned.

“He is here, sweetie.” Jo looked apologetic.

I sighed. “Never mind.” I wondered if I should mention the whole her-and-Pop thing, but my brain was not playing ball and I could barely string a thought together. All I could manage was “Oh, Jo, do you like pizza?”

“Pizza?” She was confused.

“Pizza,” I repeated, wishing food hadn’t even entered my mind, as my stomach was not up for that.

“Love it. Why?”

“I cannot say,” I said mysteriously, reminding myself to tell Pop to take Jo to Pepe’s for their date.

And then I saw him. Sitting right there in our usual spot. In his beige chinos and his white shirt, a sweater hung over his shoulders like he was about to “play a spot of golf.” Frustratingly handsome.

When he looked up and saw me, he smirked, picked up two takeout cups from the table, and stood.

“I figured you might need this today,” he said, handing me a cup.

I could smell the pumpkin spice latte through the little opening, and it made my stomach lurch.

“Well, thanks.” I would not be as rude as him. He looked puzzled. Good.

Despite the fact that it made me feel like I was going to puke right there in the library, I took my coffee, turned away, and walked down one of the aisles at random. I wasn’t ready to talk to him. Not today, and maybe never.

I breathed in the smell of the books as I ran my fingers along the spines. Of course I was back in the romance section. And without even turning around, I could tell he was there.

“Can I help you?” I asked. I pulled the sleeves of my hoodie over my hands and held the cup like it was going to protect me from him.

“Can I help you?” he replied.

“Why would I need help?”

“Did you have a good time at your Halloween party?” And there was that stupid little smirk again. He walked toward me as I tried to get my words out. But they were stuck.