Chapter 12
TWELVE
OLIVIA
“Hot chocolates first?” Hugo suggested after their team assignments were in hand. He clicked Rudolph’s nose on his ugly Christmas sweater, sending a beacon of bright red light onto the snowy path. “Follow the flashing red light. I’ll lead the way.”
Olivia fell in behind Malik as they cut through the park toward the coffee shop.
“So how did Hugo convince you to join our team?” Cass casually asked Malik.
Malik wrapped his black scarf higher up his neck and took long strides, which made it nearly impossible for Olivia to keep up. “He asked.”
“Classic.” Cass rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
Olivia had to jog not to lose them in the crowd—one of the many disadvantages of being short.
“Hey, we’re losing you.” Hugo stopped and waited for Olivia to catch up.
“I’ll get a spot in line,” Malik said over his shoulder. “Otherwise, it’s going to be a long wait.”
“So, how you doing?” Hugo asked after Malik was out of earshot.
“Fine. Why?” Olivia’s teeth chattered slightly from the cold as she willed her brain to come up with anything clever to say to Malik. Should she bring up Byron? Was that too obvious?
Hugo tugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Your guy showed up. I can’t believe you’re not freaking out.”
“Me? I don’t freak out,” Olivia lied, feeling grateful for the warmth of his coat but confused about why Malik was suddenly down to participate in something so childish. She had to play this cool. “What did you tell him about the hunt, though?”
“Not much. Just that he was welcome to join our team, and it should be fun.” Hugo sounded casual, but Olivia could tell he was holding something back.
“Hugo, did you tell him about the money?” Olivia stuffed her frozen fingertips into his coat pocket as they crossed the street. The line for coffee already wrapped halfway down the block. “You two aren’t even friends. I don’t get it. Why is he here?”
“It’s cool. Don’t sweat it.”
Olivia felt a folded piece of paper in Hugo’s pocket. She instinctively removed it, tugging it out of his jacket and holding it to the light.
Hugo snatched it out of her hand. “Oh, crap, those are my notes for the chem final. I can’t lose them.” He crumpled the paper in his palm.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to rifle through your pockets,” Olivia replied. “I take it that studying for the final isn’t going well. Do you need help?”
“Maybe. I’m going to a study session tomorrow, so I’ll let you know how it goes.”
They caught up with Cass and Malik.
Olivia noticed Hugo carefully fold the piece of paper and put it in his jeans pocket.
She made a mental note to text him tomorrow.
He’d been struggling with chemistry and needed a decent grade for his college applications.
She knew the test material well. He had done her a solid by inviting Malik, even if he wouldn’t admit how he’d convinced Malik to come. Now she needed to return the favor.