ALLISON’S POV
“I don’t stand a chance,” I explain to Jessica, stacking a few returned rare books on my arm. “That Blackrock grant? It’s for people like my best friend. She’s got the brains for this kind of thing.”
She leans back, her elbows on the table, and tilts her head. “Still… you should try,” she says, then shrugs, like she’s giving up on convincing me. “You never know, you might win.”
I scoff. “An elephant will fly before that happens. I’ll just root for Katy.”
Instead of responding, Jessica suddenly sits up, tucking her hair behind her ears, and I notice her cheeks have gone pink. I pause. What’s gotten into her?
I follow her gaze and nearly drop the books.
“Hi, Justin.” Jessica’s high pitched voice comes from behind me.
He lifts his hand in an awkward wave to her, still sta
