Page 46 of I Wish He Would

“True.” I turn to Dawson and Hayden. “And you two think there’s a possibility she could feel the same way as me?”

Dawson nods. “Don’t get me wrong, I think you have a long way to go to win her over. But I think you’ve got a shot. She could just be scared to wreck the solid friendship you have.”

“What he said.” Hayden’s face morphs into a grin. “Which is exactly why you need our help with…” He pauses for dramatic effect before spreading his hands across the air like he’s making his own marquee. “The Game Plan.”

“Cheesy, but it will work,” Dawson says.

“I think it’s the perfect amount of cheese, thank you very much.” Hayden glares at him, but it comes off like he’s trying to be upset but is just too much of a goof for it to hold any real ferocity. “Okay, what do we think is the first step, gentlemen?”

“He needs to up his flirting game.” Fletch snorts.

I shoot him a look. “I can flirt just fine, thank you.”

“Calling her perfect is middle school stuff. You need to study the female population. See what they like.”

I blow out a breath. “I’ve been reading Pride and Prejudice because I know it’s her favorite book. Something like that?”

Hayden wags his finger at me. “That’s a good start, man.” He quickly types up some stuff on his phone with his giant thumbs. I don’t bother taking notes of my own because I’m sure he’ll send me a detailed summary later. “Then step two?”

“You need to cross that friendship barrier,” Cooper suggests.

Dawson nods thoughtfully. “I’d start small. Like lingering eye contact. Hand holding. A longer-than-usual hug.”

“Now you’re onto something,” Fletch says. “Just make sure you don’t side hug her, or else you’ll be stuck in the friend zone forever.” He nudges Hayden. “Make sure you include that in your notes.”

Hayden gives him a thumbs-up. “I’ve got it.”

“You need to do things that can help you figure out if she’s into you.” Fletch nods. “Pull out the moves all girls love.”

“Like what?” I’m not sure I’d want to use the kind of moves he does when he’s out with a different girl every weekend, but it only seems fair to hear him out.

“Brush pinkies with her and make it seem accidental. Tuck her hair behind her ear. That sort of thing. If she gets goose bumps or her breath hitches, you’re golden.”

“This is amazing.” Hayden grins. “I feel like I’m learning from the master.”

Dawson thumps his arm. “Don’t call him that. You’re going to inflate his ego so much he won’t be able to fit through the door.”

Fletch smacks Dawson’s arm with the back of his hand. “My ego is the perfect size, thank you very much.”

Cooper shakes his head like he’s wondering how he ended up here with the three stooges.

“Moving on. What do you think about kissing Alyssa again?” Hayden wiggles his eyebrows. “You ready for some more spit swapping?”

Cooper sighs as he stands. “Okay, I’m out.”

“Was it because I called it spit swapping? I won’t say it again.” Hayden furrows his brows. “Okay, now I won’t say it again.”

“If she seems like she’s reciprocating the flirting and into everything you guys have mentioned, then obviously I’d love to kiss her again.”

“Perfect.” Hayden’s smile returns. “Kiss ze girl.” He sings it in the tone of Sebastian from The Little Mermaid.

Cooper stretches. “I’m too old for this. I’m going to bed.”

“Wait, we’re almost done.” Hayden stops him. “I think the final step is just to repeat them all, if things are going well.”

“And if things aren’t going well?” I ask.

“Then call us for flirting advice because you’re probably doing it wrong.” Fletcher smirks and nudges Hayden. “Make sure you write that down, too.”