The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

seemed insane.
“You mean . . . forever?” She thought her voice came out
whiny, but it was possible that it was just an effect of the blood
pounding in her head.
“That sounds excessive. Maybe until your friends are not
dating anymore? Or until they’re more settled? I don’t know.
Whatever works best, I guess.” He was serious about this. He
was not joking.
“Are you not . . .” Olive had no idea how to even ask it.
“Married, or something?” He must have been in his early
thirties. He had a fantastic job; he was tall with thick, wavy
black hair, clearly smart, even attractive looking; he was built.
Yeah, he was a moody dick, but some women wouldn’t mind
it. Some women might even like it.
He shrugged. “My wife and the twins won’t mind.”
Oh, shit.
Olive felt a wave of heat wash over her. She blushed
crimson and then almost died of shame, because— God, she
had forced a married man, a father, to kiss her. Now people
thought that he was having an affair. His wife was probably
crying into her pillow. His kids would grow up with horrible
daddy issues and become serial killers.
“I . . . Oh my God, I didn’t— I am so sorry—”
“Just kidding.”
“I really had no idea that you—”
“Olive. I was joking. I’m not married. No kids.”
A wave of relief crashed into her. Followed by just as much
anger. “Dr. Carlsen, this is not something you should joke—”
“You really need to start calling me Adam. Since we’ve
reportedly been dating for a while.”