Page 19 of Library or Lattes?

Lennie: I was hoping you wouldn’t tell them Will

Lennie: Please don’t make us go and watch him play some stupid sport again

Me: He said I had cute hair. And asked me if I still ran track …

Krista: Oh my God you lucky bitch

Avery: We can’t be friends anymore Will.

Avery: Sorry.

Avery: Willa Taylor has been removed from the group chat …

Me: And …

Avery: There’s an AND? Are you trying to give me a heart attack Taylor?

Me: Geoff broke his leg ☺ so his son is helping out. And he’s kind of hot. Kind of a jerk though

Krista: So we’ve just been sleeping and Will is in town picking up all the guys? This is NOT okay!

Avery: Anyone in the mood for a pumpkin spice latte?

Lennie: Me

Krista: Me

Me: Don’t be too loud. Or too happy. Geoff’s son seems allergic to joy

Krista: But he’s hot?

Avery: See you soon Wills x

I checked my watch and saw I’d been out here for nine minutes. Inside, I could see James rushing through the coffee shop with three cups. It wasn’t even that busy, but he was making it look like I’d left him to feed the masses.

“Slacking, Willa Taylor?” I looked up to see Carter again, with that smile.

I turned my phone over as if he could somehow read my chat with my friends. “Just having a break. I thought you had midterms to study for?” I was so proud of myself for being able to speak like a normal person this time. Maybe being around James all morning had given me some thicker skin. I picked up my mug to bring inside, while Carter just stood there watching. He was wearing navy sweatpants today, ones that hung low on his hips, with his Penn State sweatshirt. He really was looking good …

“So what do you think about the Kissing Tree?”

Okay, now I felt flustered.

“It’s sad. Not that I ever used it,” I admitted, then wished I would disappear.

“Never?” Carter’s eyes widened in shock. “I thought guys would be lining up to kiss you there.” That smile.

“Well, I mean, I did kiss someone before, but I didn’t go to the tree or anything …” I babbled, wishing I’d cut my break even shorter.

“Good to know,” Carter said. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

“So, how’s Piper?” I blurted out. Carter and Piper were homecoming king and queen like two years running. They were perfect together.

“Oh, we broke up,” Carter said. “Different schools and all. She’s at Princeton now.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said. Not that I meant it. “Piper was lovely.”

“I think she still probably is. She’s not dead or anything,” he joked, while I felt my cheeks get hot.