“What?” Cora and I say at once. Cora nearly knocks her head into my jaw in a rush to sit up and stare at Nandini.

“Since when?” I ask.

“And who?” Cora adds.

Nandini shrugs, looking self-conscious for once. “Timothy Chen. He came to the movies last week and we got to talking and...yeah.”

“What? He’s so cute!” Cora pinches Nandini’s leg. I have the urge to repeat the motion, because Cora’s right. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because I didn’t know if we were still going as a trio!” Nandini glances at me. “Karina’s you-know-who kind of threw a wrench in the mix. Since I wasn’t sure, I told Timothy no.”

“Oh my God, if you don’t message him right now...” Cora lets the threat hang in the air, her finger pointed at Nandini. “Say yes!”

I nod eagerly. “Say yes.”

“But if I say yes and Cora asks out Holly, then what will you do?” Nandini asks in protest. “You refuse to even mention his name.”

Before any of us can contemplate that, the doorbell rings.

I have a feeling I know exactly who it is, and just the thought makes me feel like I’m about to break into hives. I got two more texts from Ace this morning, checking in on me, and I didn’t reply to either of them. Maybe that wasn’t the best decision.

“You summoned him,” Cora jokes before she catches the look on my face. “That’s not actually him, is it?”

“Uh.” I’m at a loss. “It could be.”

Nandini makes a shooing gesture at me. “Answer it!”

Before I can, Samir comes down the stairs, heading for the door.

Not Ace, then.

“It’s for you, Myra Apu,” Samir says seconds later, and I immediately clamber to my feet. Did I speak too soon?

When I come into the foyer, it’s clear the world is colluding against me. Ace is standing there, hands tucked into his pockets. My heart swoops toward my stomach and erupts into a fresh scatter of butterflies that seem hell-bent on destroying me from the inside out.

“Karina,” he says, eyes darting across my figure. “Are you okay?”

I rub my arms, a chill passing through me. “I’m fine.”

“You weren’t answering my texts, so I—”

“Oh my God, it is Ace!” Cora shouts from inside, making me wince.

Ace’s expression shifts to surprise. “Do you have guests over?”

“Yeah, Nandini and Cora are here.” I scratch my head, unsure how to proceed. “I’m sorry, but now isn’t a good time.”

“Oh. Okay,” Ace says, his face falling. When his shoulders slump, I notice the bag strapped to his back and feel even worse. I honestly think about inviting him inside before I remember my parents’ words and push that urge away.

“Okay.” An awkward silence follows. “I’ll see you at school next week.”