They both nodded their heads. After all, they’d heard all about how he was The Worst Character Ever. I could write a book on it. At least a solid blog post or a viral Twitter rant.

“We talked for a bit until Bethel came banging at my door like the dictator she is.”

Halley opened her menu and nodded for me to continue while she read.

“I think that was it. He has the best voice—like, he could read me the phonebook and I’d probably come right in my pants.”

“Like you did while you slept.” Ava hid a smile by wrapping her lips around her straw.

I glared at her. “Here’s the thing: when I was in the fire, before I knew who Noah was, I promised myself that if I survived it, I’d find out where he lived and if it was possible, ask him out.”

“Ohhh,” Halley said, closing the menu. “And lunch yesterday was his idea and not romantic at all.”

“Right.”

“So ask him out,” Ava said, looking at me like I’d lost more than a few brain cells. “Since when have you ever cared about anything like that? You’re the confident one out of us. Halley was in love with Preston for years before the kissing booth got them together and, if Preston hadn’t done it, there’s no way they’d be together right now.”

“Hey!” Halley tapped her with her menu. “I could have told him.”

“No, you wouldn’t have,” I replied with a slight shake of my head.

Ava looked at her pointedly before turning her attention back to me. “I’m a hot mess. I can’t keep a relationship going to save my life, and I have feelings for Ethan who, by the way, I barely stand as a friend. I’m only nice to him because of my brother. But you, Reagan? You’re the one who just goes for it. You’ve said over and over how you think we’re stupid for having all these feelings and not acting on them.”

Halley slowly smiled. “My, my, my, how the tables have turned.”

This was a terrible idea.

“All right. So I’m being a chicken.” I held up both of my hands right as our waitress came over. We all made our order before I picked the conversation back up. “Thing is, it’s weird, isn’t it? We’ve talked way more over text than anything else, and he still keeps texting me back even though I’m a bit of a weirdo.”

“At least you admit it.” Halley raised her water in my direction.

“Just ask him out!” Ava banged her hands on the table. “Goddamn it, Reagan!”

“Okay, first, you are the last person who should be getting annoyed with me,” I pointed out. “Have you asked Ethan out yet?”

“Shut up.”

“Exactly.”

“She’s right,” Halley said, moving hair away from her glasses. “You should just ask him out. You know you get along, so it’s not going to be a complete disaster. Otherwise, you’re going to regret it. Plus, he’s literally your dream guy.”