Then, still gazing at Seb, I noticed something that was different. “Hey, you shaved,” I said. He looked less like a rock star today; more like an actor playing the sexy new boy at school.

He touched his jaw, looking embarrassed. “Yes – I guess it’s been a while.”

“I think I liked you better before,” I said, studying him, and then wished I had said anything except that – I’d just been making conversation, but his hazel eyes looked delighted suddenly. He grinned as my cheeks flushed.

“I’ll never shave again,” he said.

I grimaced, aware that my face was on fire. “Seb, look – you know Alex and I are together, right? I mean – I like you, but—”

“Yes, I know that,” he said quietly. “It’s all right.” I had the sense of some deeper emotion being buried; then Seb smiled and ran a hand over his jaw again. “But, you know – if you think not shaving would help...”

To say I wasn’t used to boys making their interest in me so obvious – even in a humorous way – would be the understatement of the century. I wasn’t even used to boys having any interest in me, much less ones who looked like Seb. Back in Pawntucket, I had always been Queen Weird, the outcast of the school. I opened my mouth and then closed it again, trying to think what to say.

Seb saw my discomfort, and the teasing look in his eyes vanished. “Willow, I’m only joking,” he said. “I mean – yes, I would like to be more than friends; I’m not joking about that. But I know you’re in love with Alex. If friendship is all you want, that’s okay. It really is.”

I shifted on the cushion. My cheeks were still warm, especially remembering what I thought I’d sensed in him the day before – the depth of his feelings towards me. Thankfully, I couldn’t pick up on any sign of that now, though admittedly I didn’t go looking very hard. If by some insane chance I’d been right, I seriously didn’t want to know.

“Are you sure you’re all right with that?” I said finally.

“Yes,” said Seb. The corner of his mouth lifted. “My whole life, I’ve been looking for another half-angel. Believe me, I don’t want to leave now, just because you haven’t realized yet that you can’t resist me.”

My eyebrows flew up. “Yet?”

“That was a joke too,” he said hastily. “I mean – well, no, I do hope you’ll realize that someday, but—” Half laughing, he broke off and put his hand over his face, shaking his head. “Ah, caramba, I’m not doing very well, am I?”

Somehow I was smiling too. Seb dropped his hand. “Okay, let me start over,” he said. “Willow, just to be here with you – to be your friend – that’s enough, I promise.”