This was the kind of guy I’d been dreaming about.

Two days later, when Sherman and I were sitting outside after lunch, he kissed me. I’d been anticipating my first kiss for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint. After that, the kissing increased at steady intervals. So did his roving hands. He wanted to take things fast; I wanted to take it slow. I didn’t want to lose him, so I kept asking him to be patient.

Around our three-month anniversary, Sherman and I had plans to go to a party out by Burch Lake. Unfortunately, the school had called to talk to Mom earlier that day. The secretary had asked why I was always late for class. (Sherman and I often snuck outside for a few uninterrupted minutes of kissing, but I wasn’t about to tell her that.)

I sat, sulking in the kitchen, thinking about how unfair life was when Drew, Devin, and the rest of the guys came in.

“You need a ride to the party?” Devin asked.

I stared at the back of Mom’s head. “My mom thinks I’ve been spending too much time with Sherman.”

“We can take her with us, Janet,” Drew said. “We’ll make sure she and Sherman stay in sight at all times. In fact, I’ve been meaning to talk to that kid anyway.”

Mom sighed. “Fine. Don’t you let her get into trouble, or there’ll be heck to pay.”

Mom didn’t believe in swearing, and even using “heck” was pretty colorful for her.

“Understood,” Devin said.

My entourage and I squished into Devin’s quad-cab Dodge and headed to the party. The second we got there, I scanned the place for Sherman. Every night away from him was like torture.

Then, I spotted him.

Making out with Tabitha Newton.

I didn’t know what to do; I’d never been in a relationship before. The two of them were sitting on Sherman’s open tailgate, feeling each other up, even though people were nearby. Tabitha pulled her mouth off Sherman’s to catch a breath. When she looked up, her eyes met mine. She flashed an evil grin before going in for round two.

You’d think I’d charge over there and yell or slap him or do something. Anything. Instead, I stood there frozen, watching my boyfriend—I’d thought he was my boyfriend, anyway—make out with the witch. My eyes burned as tears formed; a sharp pain shot through my chest.

“Did you find Sherman yet?” Gil, the nicest of my brothers’ friends, asked. He must’ve seen what I was staring at then, because he said, “Oh. Darby, I’m sorry.”

When Sherman and Tabitha broke apart again, Ross tapped Sherman on the shoulder and pointed at me. Sherman slowly stood and walked over.

“How could you?” I asked as a few tears escaped and ran down my cheeks.

“We never said we were exclusive,” Sherman said. “Did you think we were?”

“Of course I did.” I leaned in and whispered, “You were trying to get me to have sex with you. I wouldn’t do that with someone I thought was going to shove his tongue down Tabitha’s throat.”

Sherman shrugged. “What can I say? You snooze you lose.”

Gil grabbed my hand. “This guy’s a loser. You don’t need him.” He pulled me away from Sherman and the crowd that had gathered to watch the drama.

I just caught the sight of Devin approaching Sherman. He yelled something at him and shoved him, hard enough my boyfriend—er, ex-boyfriend—went down on his butt.

Then the guys and I were back in the truck headed home, me fighting tears and losing. The stupid thing was, even after all of that, I couldn’t stop wondering if Sherman would call and apologize so we could go back to the happy couple we used to be.

Time Wasted: Three months

Lessons Learned:

Tabitha Newton truly was the biggest witch in school.

Some guys are only about one thing.

Charming boys are dangerous.

Assuming does, in fact, make an ass out of U and Me. But mostly just him.

…

I answered the door and invited Jake inside. “I’ve got to throw on some jewelry, so have a seat, or look around or whatever.” I gripped his arm just below the elbow and said in my most serious voice, “No matter what you do, though, don’t look in the hall closet. That’s where I keep all my skeletons.”

I walked back to my bedroom, wondering how long it’d take him to open the closet. Last night when Jake and I had discussed when and where we were going to go on our half date, we’d found out that we both were planning on attending the same charity function. Nadine and I had worked on Mr. and Mrs. Hammond’s houses—that’s right, plural. Virginia Hammond had a soft spot for me and insisted I come to all her social events. She’d actually called the office yesterday afternoon to double-check I’d be attending the Hammond’s Children’s Hospital fund-raiser.

I stuck in my chandelier earrings and slipped into my purple stilettos. When I came out of the bedroom, Jake wasn’t looking in the closet; he was looking at the plant I had on the window ledge.

Jake poked one of the brown, crispy blades. “I like that you keep this plant, even though it’s dead.”

“It’s not dead. Malnourished maybe, but look at that leaf.” I pointed to the green one in the middle.

“Okay, so in the middle of all the brown, dried-up leaves, there’s a single struggling one.”

“As long as he’s still trying, I’ll keep watering him. When I occasionally remember to.” I turned my attention from the plant to Jake. A lot of guys wore suits a size or two too big, but his was tailored to his body, the black simple yet striking, and for a moment I forgot that I needed to make a point before we left. “By the way, my boss is going to be there tonight, so we need to keep things low-key.”

“Hmm. That’s going to mess with my plans to steal the microphone and sing karaoke for you. I was going to do a big dedication and everything.” One of Jake’s dark eyebrows cocked up. “How do you feel about Journey?”

My earrings rattled together as I shook my head. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“Meatloaf it is.”

What escaped my lips could only be described as a giggle. We hadn’t even started our almost-date and I was already giggling.

Pull it together, I told myself, but I wasn’t going to freak out, either. I had this situation totally under control.

I opened the hall closet, picked my keys off the hook inside, and threw them in my purse.

Jake put his hand on my back and looked past me into the closet. “Those skeletons don’t look too bad. Nothing I can’t handle.”

I closed the door. “I keep the really scary ones in a different closet.”

Jake offered me his arm. “Ready?”

All day I’d thought about this. There had to be a happy medium. I didn’t want to stay away from him anymore, and we had a good time together. I can do this. All I gotta do is relax and enjoy the night. No pressure, no strings attached.

I didn’t sit and type up all my case studies just to get burned again for the same stupid thing. I’d broken the rules before, and I always paid for it in the end.

I ignored his arm and pulled open my door. “Ready.”

…

I’d circled the room a couple times, talked shop with Patricia—due to all the champagne she’d had, she was friendlier than usual, though she managed to insinuate I was slacking on the Seventh Street job she’d told me she wanted to take point on—and said hi to a few clients. Virginia was always recommending me to people, so I’d also done some networking. Jake seemed to know everyone, too, and I’d lost him somewhere along the way.

The orchestra played in the corner of the room, there was a large area in the middle for dancing, and couples swirled around the floor. Tables draped in white tablecloths dotted the edges of the room. Sweet peas filled the vases in the centers, scenting the air. During dinner they’d had the keynote speaker, people had pledged lots of money to the hospital, and now everyone was up enjoying their evening. It was about as close to a ball as I’d ever been to.

Virginia came up and put a hand on my shoulder. She had on a black-and-white dress and was wearing her signature string of pearls. “Darby, honey, you simply must meet this man. He’s handsome, successful, and perfect for you in every way.”

I looked around the room, trying to find Jake. The place was packed, making it hard to find him in the crowd. “Thank you, but actually I—”

“I won’t take no for an answer.” Virginia gave my arm a gentle tug. “You at least have to allow me to introduce him. If after a few minutes you’re not completely intrigued, I’ll let you make an excuse to take your leave of us.”

I’d learned that when it came to Virginia, it was easier to go along than to argue, so I allowed myself to be led away to what was sure to be an awkward encounter with a boring, self-centered, but oh-so-handsome-and-successful man. They were Virginia’s specialty.

A woman with a familiar face I couldn’t put a name to waved as I walked by. I waved back, trying to recall how I knew her.

“Here he is!” Virginia said. I peeled my eyes away from the mystery lady to meet the guy she was sure I’d be intrigued by. “Darby Quinn, I’d like you to meet Jake Knight. This charming young man has been a lifesaver.” Virginia gestured to me. “Darby is a very successful interior designer. She transformed my places into the most beautiful works of art. And look at her! I’m sure you’ll agree she is lovely.”

“I definitely agree.” Jake stepped next to me and slid his arm around my waist. “In fact, I thought she was so lovely, I asked her to accompany me here tonight. She tried to resist, but as you pointed out, I’m just so charming.”

Virginia put both hands over her heart as she stared at us. “I simply knew you two would hit it off. I’m so glad to see that you’re together.”