"We don't have to," Noah insists, his face heating up, because the way Freddie says it makes it sound like it's a chore, or expected. That's kind of mortifying. The last thing he wants is for Freddie to think he's, like, obligated, or that's the only reason Noah likes him. "Do you think that's all I like?"

His face falls, slipping toward downright sad. "I mean, I thought I was your friend." He pauses and tries to smile, but it comes out wobbly. "Now that you aren't mad at me."