Page 164 - The Love Hypothesis

“Why not?”

“Because.”
“Because what?”
“Because he’s him. He’s Adam Carlsen, and I . . .” She trailed off. No

need to continue. And I’m me. I am nothing special.
Malcolm was quiet for a long moment. “You have no idea, do you?” His

tone was sad. “You’re great. You’re beautiful, and loving. You’re
independent, and a genius scientist, and selfless, and loyal—hell, Ol, look at

this ridiculous mess you created just so your friend could date the guy she
likes without feeling guilty. There’s no way Carlsen hasn’t noticed.”

“No.” She was resolute. “Don’t get me wrong, I do think he likes me,
but he thinks of me as a friend. And if I tell him and he doesn’t want to . . .”
“To what? Doesn’t want to fake-date you anymore? It’s not like you

have much to lose.”
Maybe not. Maybe all the talking, and those looks Adam gave her, and

him shaking his head when she ordered extra whipped cream; the way he let
himself be teased out of his moods; the texts; how he seemed to be so at

ease with her, so noticeably different from the Adam Carlsen she used to be
half-scared of—maybe all of that was not much. But she and Adam were

friends now, and they could remain friends even past September twenty-
ninth. Olive’s heart sank at the thought of giving up the possibility of it. “I
do, though.”

Malcolm sighed, once again enveloping her hand with his. “You have it
bad, then.”

She pressed her lips together, blinking rapidly to push back the tears.
“Maybe I do. I don’t know—I’ve never had it before. I’ve never wanted to

have it.”
He smiled reassuringly, even though Olive felt anything but reassured.

“Listen, I know it’s scary. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.”
One single tear was making its way down Olive’s cheek. She hastened to
clean it with her sleeve. “It’s the worst.”

“You’ve finally found someone you’re into. And okay, it’s Carlsen, but
this could still turn out to be great.”