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“She’s never said or done anything,” I said. “Please don’t tell Mike.”

“I won’t.”

“She’s fine, honestly.”

He was quiet for a moment. “You know Mike would not be all right with that if he knew. He would talk to her.”

“About what? Liking me more?” I gave him a face.

He pressed his lips together.

“It’s okay,” I said.

“It’s not though. She’s lucky her son has someone like you. She should be grateful.”

I scoffed. “Right.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m not exactly a prize, Chris.”

He looked at me like I’d lost it.

I ticked off on my fingers. “I’m a high school dropout, thirty thousand dollars in debt, my father is a felon, my mom is my mom—”

“So? You take care of him. You’re smart, you’re funny, driven. And you’re—”

He stopped.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, tell me. What?” I said.

He rubbed his mouth. “I was just… I mean. You know.”

“What do I know?”

“You’re… you’re beautiful.”

I grinned. “Awwwwww, you think I’m beautiful?” I teased.

“Stop.”

“No way.”

“Objectively,” he said. “I’m not saying that I think—”

“Oh, of course not.” I grinned again and pulled my legs into my chest under my dress. “Thanks, Chris. You’re beautiful too.” I put my cheek to my knees. Then I lifted my head again. “If you think I’m pretty, why didn’t you want to drive me home that night? You didn’t even hit on me,” I joked.

“I… I tried,” he said. “You went with Mike.”

I blinked at him. “What?”

“I mean, I tried to drive you home,” he said quickly. “Not hit on you.”

He glanced at me, then looked away. His cheeks were turning pink.