But whateveritis, I’ll do everything I can not to mess it up.
“Whatareyoumaking?”Alyssa asks from behind me before leaning against the counter.
I startle, holding a hand to my heart. I’ve been jumpier since Tyler told me I’d started a war. I’m not sure when or how he’ll prank me, hence the jumpiness.
Once I’ve composed myself, I hold up the empty bag. “A teenage classic: pizza rolls.”
“It never ceases to amaze me how you can eat like that every day and still look that good.” She gestures to my body.
I strike a pose. “Why, thank you.”
Alyssa grabs my phone off the counter. “You’ve got a text.” She makes a kissy face. “It’s fromTyler.”
I grab my phone from her. “You’re making something out of nothing.”
“Mm-hmm, sure. Tell me that in another month.”
I sigh. There’s no use in arguing with her about this.
“Well, what does it say?” she asks.
TYLER
I’m not sure what your plans are tonight, but Evie has an art show at the school in thirty minutes.
I know it’s last minute, but having you there would mean a lot to her.
ME
I’ll be there.
TYLER
Great, see you then.
“He wanted to invite me to Evie’s art show tonight.”
“Did you say yes?”
I nod. The air fryer beeps, and I use a spatula to scoop the pizza rolls from the tray onto my plate. “Evie deserves to have as many people supporting her as possible, especially since her mom isn’t here.”
I bite into a pizza roll, burning the roof of my mouth with the molten filling inside. I cover my mouth with my hand and blow out the heat.
“Is there some kind of science behind why they’re always lava hot or cold?” I’m like Goldilocks; I want it just right.
“You did shove it in your mouth right out of the air fryer, but you’re not wrong. With those, you have to pick a painful death for the roof of your mouth or a cold filling.”
“I would usually let it cool a little, but I have to leave in ten minutes, and I need to put on a little bit of makeup.” I eat another one, biting the corner off this time to let the steam escape before eating the filling.
“You need to put on makeup for a kindergarten art show?” Alyssa doesn’t even bother trying to hide her smile.
“I’m not putting on makeup for Tyler if that’s what you’re implying.” I swat her arm. “I already wiped off my makeup when I got home from watching Evie. I’m only putting a little back on.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Alyssa smiles before grabbing her purse from the kitchen table.
“Where are you going on a Wednesday night?”
“I have a date.”
