The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

She rolled her eyes. “For Dr. Aslan. She couldn’t come to the
conference, but she said she wants to listen to my first talk. I
can send it to you, if you’re a fan of stammering and
secondhand embarrassment.”
“I’d like that.”
Olive flushed and changed the topic. “Is that why you have
a room for the entire length of the conference even though
you’re not staying? Because you’re a big shot?”
He frowned. “I’m not.”
“Can I call you ‘big shot’ from now on?”
He sighed, walking to the bedside table and pocketing the
USB she’d noticed earlier. “I have to take my slides
downstairs, smart-ass.”
“Okay.” He could leave. It was fine. Totally fine. Olive
didn’t let her smile falter. “I guess I’ll maybe see you after my
talk, then?”
“Of course.”
“And after yours. Good luck. And congrats. It’s such a
huge honor.”
Adam didn’t seem to be thinking about that, though. He
lingered by the door, his hand on the knob as he looked back at
Olive. Their eyes held for a few moments before he told her,
“Don’t be nervous, okay?”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I’ll just do what
Dr. Aslan always says.”
“And what’s that?”
“Carry myself with the confidence of a mediocre white
man.”
He grinned, and—there they were. The heart-stopping
dimples. “It will be fine, Olive.” His smile softened. “And if