“Oh yeah. What was that all about?” #51 | | |
“It was a dumb joke,” I begin. #52 | | |
Peter crosses his arms and leans against the lockers. “Did it have anything to do with that letter you sent me?” #53 | | |
“No. I mean, yes. Tangentially.” #54 | | |
“Look,” he says kindly. “I think you’re cute. In a quirky way. But Gen and I just broke up, and I’m not in a place right now where I want be somebody’s boyfriend. So . . .” #55 | | |
My mouth drops. Peter Kavinsky is giving me the brush-off! I don’t even like him, and he’s giving me the brush-off. Also, “quirky”? How am I “quirky”? “Cute in a quirky way” is an insult. A total insult! #56 | | |
He’s still talking, still giving me the kind eyes. “I mean, I’m definitely flattered. That you would like me all this time—it’s flattering, you know?” #57 | | |
That’s enough. That’s plenty enough. “I don’t like you,” I say, loudly. “So there’s no reason you should feel flattered.” #58 | | |
Now it’s Peter’s turn to look taken aback. He quickly looks around to see if anyone heard. He leans forward and whispers, “Then why did you kiss me?” #59 | | |
“I kissed you because I don’t like you,” I explain, like this should be obvious. “See, my letters got sent out by someone. Not me.” #60 | | |
“Wait a minute. ‘Letters’? How many of us are there?” #61 | | |
“Five. And the guy I do like got one too—” #62 | | |
| | |
Why should I tell him anything? “That’s . . . personal.” #64 | | |
“Hey, I think I have a right to know, since you pulled me into this little drama,” Peter says with a pointed look. I suck in my top lip and shake my head and he adds, “If there even really is a guy.” #65 | | |
“There is so a guy! It’s Josh Sanderson.” #66 | | |
“Doesn’t he go out with your sister?” #67 | | |
I nod. I’m surprised he even knows this. I didn’t think Josh and Margot would be on his radar. “They’re broken up now. But I don’t want him to know I have feelings for him . . . for obvious reasons. So . . . I told him you were my boyfriend.” #68 | | |
“So you used me to save face?” #69 | | |
“I mean, basically.” Basically exactly. #70 | | |
“You’re a funny girl.” #71 | | |
First I’m cute in a quirky way; now I’m a funny girl. I know what that means. “Anyway, thanks for going along with it, Peter.” I flash him what I hope is a winning smile and turn on my heel to go. “See ya!” #72 | | |
Peter reaches out and grabs me by the backpack. “Wait—so Sanderson thinks I’m your boyfriend now, right? So what are you going to tell him?” #73 | | |
I try to shrug him loose, but he won’t let go. “I haven’t figured that part out yet. But I will.” I lift my chin. “I’m quirky like that.” #74 | | |
Peter laughs out loud, his mouth open wide. “You really are funny, Lara Jean.” #75 | | |
