You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(17)

Benjamin Han.

So that’s your full name.

Of course, I save the photo on my phone. I wonder if he’s looked me up, too. Sadly, there are no articles about me winning any awards. But there is an old Tumblr I made in middle school that’s dedicated to Dean Winchester from the show Supernatural. I should probably delete that before Ben, or anyone else, finds it.

In other news, Julie seems to be having the best time in Copenhagen. She’s been sending me photos of her daily life, which includes the food she’s eating. I wish I had the money to visit her while she’s studying there.

And how are things in Ellensburg?



Any interesting updates for me?



I haven’t told her about Ben yet. She’ll ask questions that I’m too embarrassed to answer. So, I’ve been secretly texting Sam’s old number for a year. When I accidently called it, this guy picked up instead. And now I can’t stop thinking about him…Funny story, right?

Knowing Julie, she would set up some kind of intervention. So I’ll probably keep it to myself for now. Especially since Ben and I haven’t even met in person. But I tell her about the Nolan incident.

What a narcissist



I can’t believe he just showed up like that!



I’m proud of you for walking away



I don’t mention that I still feel guilty about the situation. I mean, he only wanted a few minutes to talk with me. We haven’t run into each other since that interaction. A part of me wonders what he would have said. Hopefully, this feeling will eventually go away.



* * *





The next morning, I wake up to Ethan’s alarm. It’s been ringing for ten minutes straight. I swear, that boy can sleep through an earthquake. He’ll set five alarms in a row and still somehow end up missing class. Usually, I just put on headphones and try to go back to sleep. But I remember he has some important presentation today, so I decide to wake him up myself. I pull back his curtain and throw a pillow at him. Then I head to the bathroom to take a shower.

It’s another gorgeous day on campus. Lacrosse players are practicing in the quad and the tulips are budding along the gardened paths. I’m heading to the library for my Thursday shift. According to Rami, there’s free breakfast today. I grab a donut and meet him at the circulation desk. He’s sitting at the counter, drinking his usual iced coffee.

“Morning, Rami.” I drop my things on the floor and pull out the chair beside him. “Your hair’s particularly shiny today. New serum?”

“Horse shampoo,” he whispers. “I saw a video about it online. Apparently, it’s good for the skin, too.”

“No wonder you’re glowing.” I glance at his computer screen. “What are you working on?”

“My transfer application.”

“Transfer application? Don’t tell me you’re abandoning me, too.”

“I want to go to NYU,” Rami says, taking another sip of coffee. “You know, have my Blair Waldorf experience.”

“You can get the same experience here. The sororities are full of pretentious rich white girls. And plenty of guys who will cheat on you, too,” I add.

“Sure, but the vibes aren’t the same.”

“You’re not leaving me here, okay?”

Someone approaches the counter. “Hey, Oliver.”

It’s Sarah, another one of Nolan’s close friends. I’m bound to run into some of them working here. Admittedly, she was one of my favorites. Her parents own the car dealership in town. We once stayed at their beach house for a weekend.

“Oh. Hi, Sarah.”

She smiles. “Haven’t seen much of you lately.”

“You know”—I shrug—“busy with school.”

“I figured.” There’s a silence as she stands there. Then Sarah lets out a breath and says, “Listen, Oliver. I heard about what happened. I hope you’re doing alright.”

“I’m doing fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She finally hands me her book to check out. It’s the second edition of Networks: An Economics Approach. She and Nolan both major in business administration. They’re probably taking this class together. “By the way,” she says, “Kat and I are having some people over tomorrow. You should stop by, if you’re not busy.”

I lie. “Thanks, but I have plans already.”

“Got it. Guess I’ll see you around.” Then she grabs her book and walks off.

Rami leans toward me. “Who was that?”

“One of Nolan’s friends.”

“And she invited you to hang out? Sounds like a setup.”

“You think so?” I consider this for a moment. “I don’t know, she’s always been nice to me. We used to hang in her room all the time. I’m sure it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if I stopped by—”

“I’m telling Julie.”

“For just thinking about it?”

Rami smacks my arm. “You know Nolan might be there.”

“Fine. Then I won’t go, okay? No need to bring Julie into this.”

He’s probably right about that. Of course Nolan would be there. That’s another thing I miss about dating him. Things were never boring with him. We always had fun weekend plans together. He introduced me to everyone he knew. Now I have to start over and find my own things to do. Even Rami has plans to go bowling with his chess club. I asked if I could tag along, but he says it’s pretty exclusive. Chess members only. Looks like it’s another solo movie night in bed.