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The truth is, I don’t know either I know that his growing fame is what put him on her radar, but I also know that they have history, which involves feelings, which I know Danica must have, even if she doesn’t show theot when she told h school And I sa genuinely flustered she hen she was getting ready for their date tonight But was that because she wanted to impress Mike? Or was that because she wanted to impress the rock star?

"I don’t know, Mike," I confess "I’ out relationship advice"

"Why?" he asks, and I can think of, oh, a thousand different reasons "You’ve been in relationships, right?"

"Yeah, I’ve had boyfriends" I say, and Mike picks up on the things I’ unsaid

"But?"

"ButI don’t spark"

"You don’t what?"

"Spark," I say as I think about banging ers through led curls "I don’t spark"

"What does that mean?"

This time, I actually do scoot ainst the desk I squeeze ainst the dark as I reluctantly answer Mike "You know, like the sparks you’re supposed to feel when you kiss soht now and it would be better than continuing this conversation

"Maybe you’ve just never been with a good kisser," Mike says, and I’ht the daood"

"You just haven’tabout your messed-up love life instead of lue my forehead from the desk "You never answered my question," he says, and I finally try to tell him why Danica would be with him

"Probably because you’re smart and funny and sweet and talented and--I don’t know, Mike Why wouldn’t she be with you?"

A long beat passes before a soft chuckle drifts through the phone

"What?" I ask

"I was just thinking"

"Thinking what?"

"I should call you o boost I just gave hi to bed now"

"But I want to hear ht, Mike"

"Don’t you want to play Deadzone?"

"I’m already back in bed"