Chapter 1

My best friend, Layla Fisher, said she wanted to set me up a date.

I was halfway through listening when the comments suddenly appeared, scrolling right across my vision.

[Scarlett, don't you dare say yes. Turn it down. Alistair belongs with Layla.]

[Layla likes him too. How does she still think he only sees her as "one of the friends"? Why push Scarlett at him?]

[She's so clueless, total tomboy energy. Not a single ulterior motive. Doesn't she realize Scarlett could steal him?]

[Just wait—Alistair will force himself to accept Scarlett, all for Layla. Then, he will sneak off and kiss Layla behind Scarlett's back. That's the real thrill.]

I sat there, stunned.

Layla kept talking, completely oblivious. "Scarlett, relax. He's basically my friend. If he treats you badly, I'll beat him up."

What a joke.

I was the third wheel in their little emotional game?

"I'm not interested," I said.

*****

Layla looked genuinely surprised by my rejection."Why not? We're talking about Alistair here.

"My best friend, the most popular guy in school—student council president, street dance club leader, class rep, basketball team captain, and the number one heartthrob on campus..."

Layla started counting off on her fingers, rattling off all his titles one after another.

She ran out of fingers and looked like she was about to start on her toes, so I quickly stopped her.

"Okay, I get it. You can stop now," I said.

Layla was still grinning, clearly not done bragging. "Hey, what can I say? Alistair is just too amazing.

"Honestly, it's only because you're my bestie that I'm even letting you have a shot at him. Anyone else? No way they'd get this chance."

She shot me a look like she was doing me the biggest favor ever.

I frowned and waved her off. "Forget it, if he's that awesome, you should snag him for yourself."

But Layla just pretended not to hear my rejection. She shot me a mock-scolding look and snickered, "Oh, Scarlett, even you think there's something going on between me and Alistair?

"Seriously, we're just straight-up friends, nothing else. If you don't believe me, check this out."

She whipped out her phone and shoved it in my face. "See this photo? That little punk just had to steal the sausage I'd already bitten into. And this one..."

Layla started showing off photo after photo of her and Alistair, like she was showing off her most prized possessions.

In every single one, they were glued together, practically joined at the hip.

In a few of them, their faces were so close that it looked like they were about to kiss.

Seriously, this was what they call "just friend"?

I just don't get it.

Seriously, what kind of friends took photos practically glued together like Siamese twins?

"Oh wow, this one!" Layla let out a squeal.

She quickly closed the photo, scrambling to hide what she'd just opened.

But I'd already caught a glimpse, and my eyes nearly popped out of my head in shock.

Because in that overhead selfie, Layla's and Alistair's hips were pressed so close together.

If it weren't for the clothes, I'd honestly think Layla was sending me porn or something.

'Somebody save me.' I thought.

'My poor eyes.' I thought.

And of course, Layla just kept digging herself deeper with her over-the-top denial.

"See? Alistair totally doesn't care that I'm a girl. If that's not treating me like just one of the guys, then what is?" she said.

Whether Alistair actually saw Layla as just one of the guys, I honestly had no clue.

But Layla? She must think I was blind or just an idiot.

"You two are always stuck together. Seriously, just friends? Layla, it's fine if you want to fool me, but don't fool yourself," I said, giving her a pointed look.

Layla still wouldn't admit it and just mocked me for overthinking things.

She said, "Let me say it again, Alistair and I are just friends, nothing more. We just click better than most people, that's all.

"If there was anything between us, why would I even try to hook you up with him? Scarlett, listen, Alistair's really a good guy. He..."

[Layla is so adorable. She talks about Alistair with stars in her eyes, totally head over heels and doesn't even realize it.]

[Exactly. Scarlett is so shameless. She can see it too, but still insists on getting involved.]

[Can Scarlett just get a clue? Doesn't she see how perfect Layla and Alistair are together?]

[Scarlett is so salty right now, seeing all those sweet pics of Layla and Alistair. She's so jealous she's speechless, lol.]

[Honestly, the way Scarlett looked at those photos just now, it was like her eyes got totally roasted.]

[What do you mean, "my eyes"? That's pure sweetness.]

Sweet? Are you kidding me?

That was not sweet; that was downright gross.

The comments made me remember that photo I'd been desperately trying to erase from my mind.

My face contorted in disgust.

Seeing me pull that disgusted look, Layla finally realized what was up.

She stopped, giving me a sheepish grin. "Look at me, once I start bragging about Alistair, I just can't shut up.

"But don't worry, Scarlett. I already had Alistair add you as a friend. Go check your phone. Wait, where's your phone?"

My phone was charging on the table.

Layla jumped up, snatched my phone, and squealed, "Alistair just added you. Let me accept his request and help you start chatting with him."

I barely had time to process what was happening.

She was already texting Alistair on my phone before I could even blink.

I totally let my guard down,

I really needed to set a lock screen password on my phone,

I hurried over and snatched my phone back.

Layla shot me an annoyed look. "Scarlett, what are you doing? I was just chatting with Alistair."

I was left speechless, looking confused.

"Do you really need to use my phone to chat with him?" I asked.