"Hits the sweet spot!" —New York Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins

Lia Abbie has the easy life—kicking it back with old school video games, hanging out with her best friend Barnabas, and alternating her living schedule between the apartments of her two dads and her mom.

Kiev Jimenez is a theater geek who loves him some Shakespeare and taking care of his pet armadillo. He has one set goal in life: obtaining the role of Horatio for the Hamlet school play.

When a showdown between Lia and Kiev lands them in the principal's office, they're forced into volunteer work at the cringe-worthy Piggy Palooza Festival, or risk being suspended. Lia and Kiev aren’t thrilled about the situation, especially when it interferes with Lia's relaxed life and Kiev's theater role. But by working together, they may find more than just bacon—possibly a little love in the air.

14+ due to adult situations

 

Excerpt:

When I look toward my desk, I halt in place. I’m not surprised to see Kiev’s perfect brown hair in his seat beside mine, because Mr. Know-It-All is always there before me. But his douchebag friend, Cole, is sitting in my seat. Not that I have a reason for thinking he’s a douchebag, besides the fact he hangs out with Kiev.

Marching right up to Cole, I stop in front of him and place my hand on top of the desk. “This is my seat.”

“Do you own it?” he asks, not moving an inch.

“For the hour I do.” I take off my backpack and set it on the desk.

Cole looks around the mostly empty classroom. “This temple of learning contains a multitude of unoccupied seats, Miss Ophelia Abbie.”

Clenching my teeth, I say, “It’s Lia.” I hate when people use my full first name. “Also, you aren’t even in this class.”

“Is that a crime? Besides, I’m here to converse with my best friend.” His blue eyes slowly look me up and down.

“Do I even care about that? Get up, before I make you get up.”

I’m about to yank him up by his collar when he starts to stand up from the seat, smiling. Holding his hands up, his eyes studying Kiev. “Mr. Kiev Jimenez says you’re … you…”

“What did he say?” My eyes shift toward Kiev’s gray ones—his whole face and neck are red.

“I didn’t say anything,” Kiev exclaims.

Cole grins. “Inform her. If your mouth fails to produce words, your humble server can speak on your behalf.”

“Go to class, dude,” Kiev says, annoyed.

“Your wish is my command, Mr. Kiev Jimenez, who shall live forever,” Cole says, then faces me and bows his head. “Later, Miss Ophelia Abbie.” He snickers before heading out of the classroom.

What an idiot.

My eyes bulge at Kiev whose face is still all tomato-like.

“I didn’t say that. No one in their right mind would care what you look like under your—” he stutters. “I mean, I don’t know what I mean.”

“Under my what?” I say through gritted teeth.

“N-nothing,”

Ignoring Kiev, I take a seat in the already warm chair and grimace—I hate feeling someone else’s butt heat in a chair. I don’t really care if it was Cole being an idiot or not. They are both jerkoffs.

Kiev points at my head. “Also, you need to take off your cap before Mr. Walker comes in.”

My eyebrows furrow, and I turn my head to face him. “What are you? School police patrol?”

“Just warning you.” He shrugs.

“Whatever.”