The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

“The relationship, it’s fake. We’re not really dating. We’re
pretending so people will think that we’re dating.”
Malcolm’s hands stopped mid-chop. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“Is it a . . . friends-with-benefits arrangement? Because—”
“No. It’s the opposite. There are no benefits. Zero benefits.
Zero sex. Zero friends, too.”
He stared at her, narrow-eyed. “To be clear, oral and butt
stuff totally counts as sex—”
“Malcolm.”
He took a step closer, grabbing a dishrag to wipe his hands,
nostrils flaring. “I’m scared to ask.”
“I know it sounds ridiculous. He’s helping me out by
pretending we’re together because I lied to Anh, and I need
her to feel okay about dating Jeremy. It’s all fake. Adam and I
have talked exactly”—she decided on the spot to omit any
information pertinent to The Night—“three times, and I know
nothing about him. Except that he’s willing to help me handle
this situation, and I jumped at the chance.”
Malcolm was making that face, the one he reserved for
people who wore sandals paired with white socks. He could be
a little scary, she had to admit.
“This is . . . wow.” There was a vein pulsating on his
forehead. “Ol, this is breathtakingly stupid.”
“Maybe.” Yes. Yes, it was. “But it is what it is. And you
have to support me in my idiocy, because you and Anh are my
best friends.”
“Isn’t Carlsen your best friend now?”
“Come on, Malcolm. He’s an ass. But he’s actually been
pretty nice to me, and—”