He matched my flirtatious tone. “I just noticed that the twin’s wardrobe has changed recently. I figured that was your influence. You all seem to spend a lot of time at the mall.”

“Not changed,” I corrected. “Improved.”

Dexter’s smile faltered. “It’s sometimes hard to tell when you’re joking.”

I wasn’t joking, but it was clear I’d said the wrong thing, so I scrambled for something else to say, something witty and charming and flirty and—

“Halloween costumes!” I blurted. “We’re here for Halloween costumes.”

Something other than that.

“Uh, yeah,” he said, the corner of his mouth tipped up. “Kind of figured you weren’t here to get groceries.”

I pulled a dress at random from the rack. “I’m going as a fairy,” I said. “Sydney claims they’re immortal.”

Dexter nodded appreciatively. “Cool.”

“A sexy fairy,” I added.

“Is there any other kind?”

“What are you wearing?” I asked.

“Not sure yet. Costumes aren’t really my thing.”

“Oh no,” I said, stepping closer and putting on my prettiest pout. I knew it was pretty. I’d been practicing it in the mirror on my new lips, fuller than before. “But you can’t get into the after-party dance without a costume. And what about that nice girl you planned to dance with?”

He played along, his big smile beaming down at me. “Are you the nice girl?”

“Me?” I let out a breathy laugh. “God, no. Nice girls are so boring.”

Dexter’s mouth twitched, as if he wanted to say something.

Or maybe he wants to kiss me.

I started to close my eyes, but instead of a kiss, Dexter backed away, opening up the distance I had closed between us.

Where was he going? He couldn’t possibly be leaving without asking me out. Again!

The anticipation was maddening, and I couldn’t wait one second longer.

“Are we ever going on a date?” I blurted.

His eyes widened, but I rushed on before he could respond. “I don’t typically ask guys out, but it seemed like maybe you weren’t going to—”

“I wasn’t.”

His words were a slap. “What?”

“I mean, I was,” he said. “I was actually going to ask you to be my Halloween date, and then . . . I like you, Charlie, but . . .”

But? BUT?!

How could there possibly be a but?

As much as I was dying to know the answer to that question, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of explaining. This moment was humiliating enough without watching him bumble through some let’s be friends apology speech.

“Relax, O’Shea. I thought maybe we could hang out, but it’s fine.” I forced a smile that hurt my cheeks. “And obviously, I already have a date to the dance.”

He looked confused by my lie, and maybe even a little disappointed, but he recovered quickly.