Page 43 of Troublemaker: The Big Picture Edition

EMILIA: You are both very skilled at skirting the edge of trouble, Mr. Vega.

ALEX: Don’t fool yourself, Miss Stiles. So are you.

ALEX: But I think Ryder actually wants me to date you. Have you noticed that?

EMILIA: Did he say that?

ALEX: No. But he’s also never invited any woman other than his mother out for gelato with us or to our house for some man meat before.

EMILIA: Well, I don’t know that it was a formal invitation.

ALEX: You’re also very skilled at skirting the issue, Miss Stiles.

EMILIA: I have to grade papers now. I just wanted to check in on Ryder.

ALEX: Roger that.

EMILIA: I’m a little surprised that neither you nor Ryder are here for Math Night at Silver Lake Elementary School. It’s for the whole family, you know?

ALEX: Do people actually show up for that?

EMILIA: None of the fun people do. But don’t tell anyone I said that.

ALEX: Well, I’m about to leave for a dinner meeting with a producer and Ryder’s with my parents. But even if we were available, we wouldn’t be there.

EMILIA: That’s a shame. I’ve always enjoyed games that are defined by clear mathematical parameters.

ALEX: If you’re trying to turn me off by being such a huge nerd, it’s not working.

EMILIA: Do you ever participate in after school events with Ryder?

ALEX: If you want to see me after school, with or without Ryder, just say so.

ALEX: If not, then I’d rather not see you again until I can kiss you again. And again.

EMILIA: Are you dating someone else?

ALEX: I’m not sure what you mean by “someone else” since I’m not dating anyone at the moment.

ALEX: Are you?

EMILIA: No.

ALEX: That’s a shame. You should probably get back to the not-fun people now. Good night.

EMILA: Yeah. Good night.

CHAPTER 16

ALEX

The thing about having a crush on someone when things with that person aren’t really going anywhere is that wherever you go, you’re just a little crushed when you don’t find them there.

It’s better than not having anyone to look for, I guess.

There’s still a sense of longing, only it’s attached to someone specific now.

But it makes every beautiful October day that passes all the more poignant because Emilia Stiles isn’t with me to experience it.