Me: Yeah. I’m a real class act, any guy would be LUCKY to have me **rolling eyes emoji**

Skylar: Stop putting yourself down—just because you haven’t met THE ONE doesn’t mean you have to be so hard on yourself. Any guy would be INSANELY LUCKY to have you Hannah Peterson.

Me: You’re just saying that because you’re my best friend.

Skylar: Listen, sometimes you’re the worst. I mean—you’re probably wearing my underwear right now because you were too lazy to do your laundry. You eat all my food and use all my expensive shampoo. I’m NOT just going to compliment you unless I mean it cause sometimes YOU ARE THE WORST.

Me: Stop you’re making me blush.

Skylar: Now stop whining and get back in the game. Go out there and act NORMAL. No mumbling under your breath and talking to yourself while the guy is sitting there, got it?

Me: Rex is the one who’s supposed to be giving me dating advice, not you.

Skylar: Well he’s probably not because he likes you. Why would he try and help you date someone else?

Me: He doesn’t like me. He doesn’t even KNOW me.

Skylar: Then give him a chance to get to know you—and if it doesn’t work out, so what? You come home to me and cry about it later.

Me: Alright. I’ll go back out there and give him a chance.

Skylar: That’s my girl! Love you Hannah Banana

Me: Love you too Sky So Blue <3

4

Hannah

“Thanks for dinner.” We’re in the small parking lot on the side of the building, standing next to what I assume is Rex’s car. “You didn’t have to pay, considering…”

“Considering what?” he asks, waiting for me to finish my sentence. Waiting for me to tell him one more time that this wasn’t a date.

“Considering, um. Considering…” I look him over just then, standing there in his button down shirt—the one that now smells like greasy bar food, and geeky boat shoes, more appropriate for a yachting deck—and my heart does something strange.

It flutters.

Stomach, too, and not from the greasy burger.

I’d popped a mint while I was in the bathroom texting Skylar, foolishly, just in case. Just in case what Hannah? Do you think the guy is going to kiss you?

“Considering we were only here to teach me how to date. I mean, technically I should have paid, then taken the tax deduction. Ha ha.”

Did I seriously just say that? He needs to kiss me so, I’ll shut up; put me out of my damn misery, make it stop.

“You’re cute.” Rex is smiling at me, eyes soft, mouth set in a pleasant line.

He’s cute too, but I don’t have the courage to say it; not even with this beer churning in my belly.

Instead, I say, “Um,” and stare at the ground. So cliché, I should kick at a rock, stuff my hands in my pockets, and call it a night.

Rex glances around the parking lot curiously. “Hannah where’s your car?”

My car? “I don’t have one.”

“Then how’d you get here?”

“I walked.” But it had still been light out and much safer for walking around town, unescorted. Now, the sun has set and only street lights offer security.

“Oh.” Rex pauses, shifting on his heels on the gravel drive. “I can take you home.”

I’m not going to argue with a free ride or more time with him. We had fun tonight, and if I’m not mistaken, we had chemistry. I don’t think I’m the only one who felt it, even though I was humiliating myself the entire night, putting my foot in my mouth.

If I’m not mistaken, Rex likes me.

All evening, instead of being coy, or making a joke, I’m honest—like he told me to act with a guy I was on a date with.

“Sure, okay. I’d love a ride.”

My stomach flips and I place my palm on my abs, quelling my nerves. Whether it’s the alcohol or the greasy bar burger I ate—getting into Rex’s car has me in knots. Strange indeed, since I’m usually so confident.

Awkward, yes. Confident, always.

Confidence, that, according to Rex, is just false bravado and showboating.

Hmph.

The thought has me crossing my arms; warring with myself to be brave in the face of his earlier words. Words that are absolutely true, if I’m being honest with myself.

He’s right. Has been all night.

So what are you going to do about it?

I slide into his car when he unlocks the passenger side and politely opens the door for me. Walks around to the driver’s side and slides in himself. Shoots me a grin as he hits the START button on the dash—ooh la la, fancy!—the radio automatically connecting to the music on his device.

I recognize the song playing; it’s a remix with a mellow backbeat, filling the cab of his sweet ride with a romantic melody. I’m sure it’s unintentional, but regardless, it makes me shiver.

“Cold?” Rex glances over at me as he puts his arm up onto the back of my seat so he can reverse the car and pull out of his spot. There’s something to be said about that gesture; a man with his big hand near the back of your head, close to your body, while operating heavy machinery.

Okay, fine—so it’s a car and not a skid loader or backhoe. But still. It’s a sexy move.

“No, it’s…the song.”

If he thinks that’s an odd thing to say, he doesn’t remark on it, backing out and then moving forward, pausing at the curb before pulling out into the street.

“Which way?”

“That way.” I point left.

He goes left.

Another left. A right at the stop sign near my house. Down two city blocks. Slows down, nearing my driveway.

At the beginning of the new semester, Skylar and I ditched our on-campus apartment and rented a small house, conveniently located nearish campus—a short walk—for a bit more privacy and a yard.

It’s a dinky house; two tiny bedrooms barely large enough for our beds. One bathroom, a cozy kitchen (see: microscopic), and barely a living room. It’s the first time either of us has rented our own home, so we were thrilled to learn we could afford it and moved out of our apartment as soon as we found two students to take over our leases.

“This is me.” It’s dark inside, lights all off at nine in the evening. Skylar didn’t say she’d be gone, but it’s no surprise—she spends most of her free time with Abe, even on the weeknights when we have class.

My guess is she’s either at the library or his place.

“It’s cute.”

Cute. That’s the second time tonight he’s used that word and I shiver again knowing that he thinks I’m cute too.

“We just moved in—my roommate Skylar and I.” A few hairs have escaped from my ponytail and I take the opportunity to tuck them behind my ear. Lick my lips apprehensively. “Do you, ummmmm, want to come in?”