I wasn’t sure why I’d asked. I’d made it a point not to inquire too deeply into my brother’s personal life now that it included one of my best friends. It felt invasive somehow.
On the other hand, it seemed douchey to feign indifference. The truth was that I hadn’t quite figured out how to balance my sibling relationship with my friend relationship. It was awkward and I was awkward. Not a great combo.
But I had to try. I loved my brother, and Topher was one of my favorite people. He was an inch or so shorter than me with light-brown hair, green eyes, glasses, and freckles. He had a rather unassuming air for someone with an above-average IQ. Toph was confident in his intelligence and happiest when he had a slew of complicated equations that unlocked secrets in the galaxy…and when he was with Simon. Go figure.
“I’ll be in Malibu with Si this coming weekend,” he replied shyly. “I’m supposed to meet him there Friday after school. Maybe he can pick me up instead so you can use my car.”
“Don’t worry about it, Toph. The guys will be around, and I’m not going anywhere special.”
“It’s a few days away. If you change your mind, let me know. You may need groceries or something.”
I shook my head, then took one last swallow of coffee before rinsing my cup. “Doubtful. My mom is bringing food. You know her. Our freezer will be stocked with enough to feed a small army.”
Topher chuckled. “True. I’m going to brush my teeth. I’ll be ready to go in five minutes.”
I nodded, turning to open the dishwasher as Asher sidled closer.
“You’re acting strange around Topher.”
“Strange, how?” I bluffed.
He shrugged. “Distant. Too careful. Like you don’t know how to treat him now that he’s practically family.”
I cast a sideways glance toward Tommy and Holden meandering on the other end of the kitchen. “I’m trying, but it feels funny sometimes.”
“He’s been with your brother for months. Snap out of it,” Asher admonished, eyeing me over the rim of his round glasses. “And…tell me more about Aiden.”
“Aiden is Simon’s friend. His straight friend.”
“Oh. I thought you might have a crush on him.”
“What? Me? No way,” I lied.
My perpetual low-grade infatuation wasn’t something I advertised. I’d successfully buried my feelings for so long that I was usually able to convince myself they didn’t exist. Not so easy to do after a sneak-attack kiss.
Asher raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. That’s too bad, though. Seducing your mechanic would have been a fun Script Club project.”
“What? Are you nuts?” I gasped.
“It was just a thought,” he sighed. “We’re nearly at the end of grad school now. The idea was to cultivate new experiences before we entered the workforce full-time, and I fear we’re doomed to failure.”
“I’ll have to live with that. I have less time for self-betterment than ever. I’m not seducing anyone.”
“Hmm. Well, Newton told Chet, the new orbital analyst on my team, that you’d agreed to help him seduce Susie.”
“Oh. My. God. I never agreed to that.”
“You should. Newton’s annoying, but he has a good heart, and his version of seduction is very Lady and the Tramp. G-rated and wholesome.” Ash gave me a thorough once-over. “If you can’t help yourself, help someone else.”
“I don’t know if—”
“Think about it. I’m not a psychologist, but my mother is, and I have a strong feeling she’d diagnose you with in-your-own-head-itus. Give unto others, Georgie. It’ll take your mind off your worries…and perhaps you’ll stop overthinking your every interaction with Topher.”
I winced. “Maybe you’re right.”
Asher beamed. “Of course, I am.”
In-your-own-head-itus was a real thing. I’d always been at my best when I had twenty balls in the air and no time for second-guessing. No kidding. I was a beast in any lab or classroom setting, but the minute I stepped outside, doubt crept in. See, I knew I wasn’t cool. I relied on quirky charm and suspect wit to get by. For the most part, it worked.
To a point. But I was not in any way, shape, or form a master at the art of dating. My forte was more along the lines of quick hookups and impromptu make-out sessions.
And I’d never had a significant other.
That didn’t deter Newton.
When I’d volunteered to help him refine his um,…technique—he’d rubbed his hands together gleefully.
“That is the bomb. Thank you for your service, sir.”
“I haven’t done anything, Newton. Don’t get excited.”
Newton patted my back amicably and grinned. “In the words of Shakespeare, ‘My true love is nigh.’ ”
“Shakespeare didn’t say that,” I deadpanned.
“I think he did.”
“No, he didn’t. Listen, I may not know much about romance, but I can promise you that misquoting a dead poet is a serious no-no.”
He furrowed his brow. “I thought you were an expert at romance.”
“Not even close.”
“That’s okay. I have faith in you, George. You have a beau of your own now. You obviously know what to do. Or perhaps he does. Ask him.” Newton waved dismissively. “I’ll leave the details in your capable hands. Susie and I will thank you properly when we’re together at last.”