The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Adam closed his eyes, scratching his forehead. “Holden,
we’ve talked daily for the past twenty-five years, and I have
been to at least five Power Rangers–themed birthday parties of
yours. The last one was when you turned seventeen.”
Malcolm attempted to cover his laugh with a cough.
“I know when your birthday is.”
“You always had it wrong, I was just too nice to tell you.”
He clasped Adam’s shoulder. “So, Chinese to celebrate the
blessing of my birth?”
“Why not Thai?” Malcolm interjected, addressing Holden
and ignoring Adam.
Holden made a whiny noise and started saying something
about the lack of good larb in Stanford, something Olive
would have normally been interested in hearing, except that—
Adam was looking at her again. From several inches above
Holden’s and Malcolm’s heads, Adam was looking at her with
an expression that was half apologetic, half annoyed, and . . .
all intimate, really. Something familiar they’d shared before.
Olive felt something inside her melt and suppressed a smile.
Suddenly, dinner seemed like a great idea.
It will be fun, she mouthed at him while Holden and
Malcolm were busy arguing about whether they should just try
that new burger place.
It will be excruciating, he mouthed back barely parting his
lips, looking resigned and put-upon and just so amazingly
Adam that Olive couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Holden and Malcolm stopped arguing and turned to her.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Olive said. The corner of Adam’s mouth was
curling up, too.
“Why are you laughing, Ol?”