The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

“It’s appalling.”
“—or the taste of the sushi—”
“Foot.”
“—or the best movie in the Fast and Furious franchise—”
“Fast Five. Though I have a feeling you’re going to say—”
“Tokyo Drift.”
“Right.” He sighed, and they exchanged a small smile. And
then, then the smile faded and they just stared at each other,
something thick and sweet coloring the air between them,
magnetic and just the right side of bearable. Olive had to rip
her gaze from his, because—no. No.
She turned away, and her eyes fell on a couple at a table a
few feet to their right. They were the mirror image of Adam
and Olive, sitting on each side of their booth, all warm glances
and tentative smiles. “Do you think they’re on a fake date?”
she asked, leaning back against her seat.
Adam followed her gaze to the couple. “I thought those
mostly involved coffee shops and sunscreen applications?”
“Nah. Only the best ones.”
He laughed silently. “Well.” He focused on the table, and
on angling his chopsticks so that they were parallel to each
other. “I can definitely recommend it.”
Olive dipped her chin to hide a smile and then leaned
forward to steal one edamame.
—
IN THE ELEVATOR she held on to his biceps and took off her
heels, failing disastrously at being graceful as he studied her