Read Online Galgorithm by Aaron Karo - Free Book Online Page A

mean?”
    â€œWhy didn’t we just meet at your house? You live like five blocks away from me.”
    Adam shrugs. “Good point.”

13
    â€œFIRST OF ALL, YOU WOULD not believe the amount of gunk that came out of my skin. I mean it was disgusting . . . ly awesome .”
    â€œCome on, Reed. Gross.”
    It’s gorgeous outside; the calendar may say February, but spring has already sprung in Kingsview. School ended a few hours ago, and I spent the afternoon running around like mad putting out a couple of client fires before meeting Reed here in the bleachers of the baseball field behind school to catch up.
    A few players are stretching on the field, but it’s an off day, so it’s otherwise quiet. Reed and I are sitting on the third-base side. Behind us are the tennis courts, where Reed first attempted to hit a forehand volley into Marisol’s heart. Afterseveral reschedulings and some uncertain moments, Reed finally had his first date with Marisol last night. I’ve been waiting all day for the download. I’ve folded an empty straw wrapper in my hands twenty times out of nervous anticipation.
    â€œIt wasn’t gross,” Reed continues. “It was strangely magical.”
    â€œYou’re sick.”
    Before I send my clients out on their first date, I make sure they take care of a few basic grooming needs. The predictable stuff is Q-tips in the ears and tweezing eyebrows, but I also had Reed buy Bioré pore strips. You put a strip on your wet nose, wait fifteen minutes for it to dry, and then rip it off. Out come all your blackheads. Sounds weird, but my clients soon swear by them. The only thing is, the very first time you use them and sixteen years of gunk comes out, it’s not pretty.
    â€œReed, will you just get to the date?”
    â€œYou said you wanted details!”
    â€œNot this much.”
    â€œFine. So I picked her up. We went to the pizza place. We ordered some slices and sodas and stuff. I paid.”
    â€œNice. Nice.”
    â€œShe looked amazing. We talked about school for a little bit. And then . . .”
    â€œAnd then what ?”
    â€œAnd then Rebecca joined us.”
    â€œWhat? What do you mean, Rebecca joined you?”
    â€œI mean Rebecca Larabie was at the pizza place, too. She saw us, Marisol asked her to join us, and she did. I spent the rest of the night with the two of them, and they mostly talked to each other about student government. Except when Rebecca negotiated a discount on her meal with the owner because there wasn’t enough pepperoni on her pizza. She really drove a hard bargain.”
    â€œDamn,” I say. “They probably planned it.”
    â€œPlanned what?”
    â€œIf a girl isn’t totally sure she likes a guy yet, she’ll sometimes have her friend ‘randomly’ show up on the date so that she’s not stuck with him.”
    â€œOh.” Reed is crestfallen. “Noted.” He scribbles forlornly in his notebook. Then he perks up. “Or,” he says, “maybe Marisol just wanted Rebecca to meet me. You know, feel me out a little bit because she’s totally into me.”
    Reed looks at me expectantly.
    â€œOr that,” I say. “It could definitely be that.” Who knows? Maybe it could. “I like where your head’s at, Reed. You’re staying positive. I’m proud of you.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œBut next time something like that happens, text me! Don’t make me wait a whole day to find out! What happened at the end of the night?”
    â€œRebecca went home on her own, I dropped Marisol off, she pecked me on the cheek, and that was it.”
    â€œWait, she kissed you on the cheek?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œReed, way to bury the lead under a ton of blackheads. That’s awesome!”
    â€œReally? A cheek kiss is that big a deal? I dunno. I wasn’t sure.”
    â€œFirst of all, an unsolicited cheek kiss. And