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“Not like this,” I argued, pointing at her “Not like…like Rose and Lily”

“We’re always Rose and Lily,” she said, throwing her arms in the air

“You knohat I rass

“It is nice to have a night out,” Lily sang “And I’ to have drunk sex later”

“Good for you,” I said seriously

“It always is,” she replied

We found a couple of chairs and dropped into them

“I haven’t seen Mack tonight,” she said slyly as we stared into the fire

“You’re like the fiftieth person to bring him up”

“Well, we’re all just waiting to see what’ll happen next”

“I’uys”

“Oh, co so ritual that—”

“It’s not amy eyes at her

“Oh,open “You’re embarrassed!”

“I’m not embarrassed”

“Yes, you are! Your eyes are all squinty and you keep glancing around, like you’re afraid someone will hear me”

“Then why aren’t you shutting up?” I asked

“Because this is hilarious!” She leaned toward et all flustered around him—”

“I do not”

“—but I didn’t realize you were actually into him”

“I’ my voice low “He just flusters me”

“Flusters you,” she said flatly, raising her eyebrows “No one flusters you You’re unflusterable”

“Not a word”

“You are the coolest person I know,” she said, ignoringballbuster Guys are scared of you”

“They are not”

“You’re inti,” she continued “And aloof And I’ve never seen you act as goofy as you do when Mack’s around”

“Gee, thanks,” I muttered

“It’s like your ,” she said, waving her hand in the air for emphasis “I don’t remember the word for it”

“He rattles me,” I admitted