Bellie’s Reviews > Absolutely Not in Love > Status Update

Not many updates bc im really into shows rn but this book was really good. I promise. I didn’t read for like a month but picked this book back up and finished in 2 train rides. Slay

Really good book. Love even more that there was no spice. Pure plot.

“Not Eli?” she says, humor lacing her tone.My jaw clenches at the thought, my words coming out raspy and rough. “Definitely not Eli.” I reach up and touch her elbow, my fingers sliding over the soft silk of her black blouse. I hold her gaze for a long moment, then drop my hand. “Good night, Gracie.”

“But just for the record, I would love for you to change your mind. And if you ever do, I hope I’m the first one you think of.”Her lips quirk up to the side, and her body leans toward me the slightest bit.

Color climbs up her cheeks, like she’s embarrassed she ever even considered that I was there for her. But she has nothing to be embarrassed about. “But that doesn’t mean I didn’t think about seeing you.” I lick my lips and lean even closer. “That doesn’t mean my eyes weren’t on you the entire night.” Gracie sucks in a breath, but she still doesn’t say anything.

I brace both hands above the door jamb and lean close, close enough to catch the scent of her hair and see the freckles dotting her cheeks. “I just wanted to make a couple of things clear.” She lifts her brows, her lips parting. “Number one,” I say. “I would have gone to the symphony concert tonight regardless of whether you were playing. It’s something my mom and I like to do together.”

The truth is, I did hope she would see me at her concert, that it might mean something to her that I was there. The fact that my mother was in town and I knew she’d enjoy hearing Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” was a nice bonus, but even if Mom wasn’t visiting, I probably still would have gone. Either way, the last thing I want is for Gracie to disappear into her apartment thinking I’m with another woman.

My brain fires off a dozen different thoughts in the two seconds it takes Summer to start leading Gracie away.Why would it matter even if I was on a date when Gracie has made it clear she has no interest in dating hockey players? Why does she seem so flustered, so bothered by the idea? Why am I so happy about the possibility of her being bothered?

He has been making more of an effort to talk to me lately. That whole thing with the mail last week was totally weird, and I’ve run into him in the hallway or on the stairs much more frequently the past few days—so frequently, I’ve half-wondered if he’s making it happen on purpose.Also frequently enough that I’ve started to look forward to it, which is the last thing I should be feeling.

I can’t ignore the handsome giant still hovering at the back of the auditorium. He’s still there, which means he has to be waiting for me. It’s the only thing that makes sense. But why?