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  “So what do you think about dogs?” Drew asked a few nights later as he and Gemma sat talking over pepperoni pizza.

  “I love dogs. I have my shih tzu, LeBron, but I’d love to get more. My mother keeps saying no but I think she’ll cave someday.”

  “I told you about my dachshund, right?” Drew asked. Gemma nodded as she took a sip of her soda. He had only mentioned his dog Stanley about five times.

  “Well, I took Stanley for a walk in the park the other day and he had the nerve to chase down a pit bull. I think he has some sort of Napoleon complex or something.”

  “No way,” Gemma said. “What happened?”

  “That’s the funny thing,” Drew told her. “The pit bull took off like a bullet and so now every time we go to the park for a walk, Stanley trots around like some king looking for the next big dog to chase down. It’s too funny.”

  Gemma almost choked on her pizza, laughing. The thought of a dog barely bigger than LeBron chasing a pit bull was hilarious.

  When the laughter died down, they lapsed into silence. This had been happening ever since he picked her up. At least tonight he was dressed like a normal guy, and the real Drew was actually pretty handsome. But every once in a while conversation lagged, and that seemed to make Drew nervous, like he thought he was failing at something.

  Gemma racked her brain for something to say. She felt as if she should have prepared note cards listing possible topics of conversation.

  She looked across the table, her eyes widening as she watched Drew shovel in another slice of pizza. His cheeks were puffed out to capacity. She worried that the date would end with her performing the Heimlich maneuver.

  When he turned to flag down the waitress for another soda, Gemma quickly glanced at her watch. Unfortunately, unlike the beginning of the date, time was now moving way too slowly.

  “You look great today,” he said, turning around, still chewing. “Did I tell you that already?”

  Gemma nodded. He’d told her that—or some variation—at least four times in the last hour. She had figured out Drew’s MO. Whenever he got uncomfortable, he would blurt out something totally random, or compliment her, or concentrate on his pizza.

  Before the date Gemma had looked forward to maybe kissing Drew. But staring at him from across the table, seeing his cheeks crammed with pizza crust, she knew a kiss was not happening. She watched his face turn red as he slowly realized that stuffing his face might not have been a good idea. When the waitress came back with the soda, he took a huge gulp and forced the rest of the pizza down.

  “Do you want more pizza?” he asked.

  “No thanks. I’m fine,” Gemma said.

  More silence.

  “Is there anything you want to talk about?” he finally asked.

  Not a good sign when you have to ask that question, Gemma thought. She shrugged.

  She fiddled with the paper wrapper from the straw and then smoothed it out on the table. How much more tedious was this going to get? Should she suggest they leave? Would it be okay for her to declare this date over?

  After a few more minutes Drew asked, “You ready to go?”

  She could tell he was feeling defeated. “Yes,” she said with relief. She stood up quickly, bumping into the table behind them.

  “Sorry,” she told the heavyset man glaring up at her from his seat.

  “Kids,” the man muttered.

  As Drew led her out the door, she thought, How in the world did this date start out on such a high plateau and then drop into a crevasse deeper than the Grand Canyon?

  When they pulled up in front of her driveway, Gemma realized that she had better make a speedy exit before he tried to kiss her. This wasn’t exactly how she had imagined she would feel after today’s date.

  “Well, see ya,” she said with one hand on the car door.

  He jumped out of the car and raced around to her side. Mr. Chivalry. “I hope today wasn’t that bad,” he said as he pulled open her door for her.

  Gemma sighed. He wasn’t getting it. Halfway up the driveway, she glanced back. Drew, grinning, sat in the car and waved. She waved back.

  “Hey, hon,” her mother greeted her, emerging from the house. “I didn’t know you would be home so soon.”

  “Me either,” Gemma grumbled.

  Her mother responded by charging past Gemma and down the driveway toward Drew’s car.

  “What are you doing, Mom?” Gemma called after her. Her mother ignored her. Instead, she leaned into the driver’s side window and said something to Drew. Drew turned off the engine and headed back up the driveway with her mother.

  “What’s going on?” Gemma asked.

  “Oh, since we’re cooking outside, I thought it would be nice to invite your friend in for some food,” Dr. Williams explained.

  “But we just had pizza,” Gemma protested, more to Drew than to her mother.

  Drew shrugged. “I told her but she insisted.”

  “You don’t have to eat much. Your father and I just thought it would be nice to finally meet someone you’re dating.”

  Gemma cringed. When Drew glanced at her, she plastered on a smile and decided to do the only thing she could do: suffer through what might just be the insufferable. This definitely wasn’t part of the plan.

  Chapter 6

  Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

  “Your mother did what?” Maria screeched over the phone. Gemma had immediately made an excuse and ran to her bedroom to call her best friend.

  “That’s why I need you over here now!” Gemma said. “Drew showed up looking like a stand-up guy, my mom is all over him! If she could, she’d have me married off by the end of the night.”

  “Why didn’t you guys just tell her you already ate?”

  “We did! My mom refused to hear it. She honed in on Drew like a torpedo and pulled him in. And I think he was really glad for the excuse to stick around. Now I’m stuck like chuck, so get over here. At least you will be able to see what I’m talking about.”

  “Fine. I’ll be over in ten minutes. Manny’s coming too.”

  “Whatever. Just hurry,” Gemma said and hung up. She took a deep breath and headed downstairs.

  “Your dog is friendly,” Drew said when Gemma finally appeared on their backyard deck. LeBron jumped up on Drew’s lap and made himself comfortable. When Gemma told him to get down, LeBron lifted his head and looked at her like she was crazy.

  “That’s okay,” Drew said, petting the dog. “He seems comfortable.”

  That’s one of us, she thought.

  Mr. Williams came out the back door with a platter of steaks to put on the grill. He did a double take when he saw Drew, and quickly put the platter on the table.

  “Whoa, is this the same guy from the other night?” her father asked, extending his large hand out to Drew. Gemma thought she was going to die. “How are you today, son? Your pants were so big last time I thought you were going to drown in them.” Mr. Williams chuckled at his feeble attempt at a joke. Drew’s face turned red—probably about as red as Gemma’s.

  “Th-thanks for inviting me,” Drew said.

  “Plenty for everyone.” Mr. Williams crossed to the grill in the corner of the patio and carefully placed the steaks over the hot coals.

  Since her dad had just started grilling, Gemma realized, it was going to be a while before they ate. Not that she was hungry. And she couldn’t imagine Drew had room for any more food after stuffing his face with most of a pizza just minutes ago.

  She glanced toward the kitchen window. Her mother beamed through the glass, and gestured for Gemma to move closer to Drew.

  Gemma suddenly flashed to the breakfast conversation she’d had with her parents about the “beach shindig,” also known as her high school spring beach party. Did her mother throw together this impromptu grillfest in hopes of snagging Gemma a date for that party?

  “She really needs to get a life,” Gemma muttered under her breath. She turned her back to the window and glared at
the grill.

  “LeBron would love Stanley,” Drew said.

  Gemma nodded, barely acknowledging Drew. She might just have to kill her mother.

  “If you want me to go, I can make up some excuse and leave.”

  Gemma ducked her head, suddenly aware that she was acting like a spoiled brat. She looked back at Drew. “No, Drew. It’s okay. I’m just embarrassed that my mother roped you into this. I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

  Drew started laughing. “I know. The way she practically hog-tied me and wouldn’t take no for an answer, I figured you hadn’t had a date in years or something.”

  “I know, right?” Gemma had to laugh too. “Way to make me feel like a loser, Mom!”

  Just then, Manny and Maria walked around back. Mr. Williams looked up from the grill. “Hey, my favorite moochers.”

  “You know us so well,” Maria teased.

  “What are you two doing here?” Gemma’s mother asked from the kitchen window.

  “We smelled the food,” Manny commented.

  “From three blocks away?” Gemma’s dad asked.

  “Whatever,” Gemma interrupted. “They’re here now. Come and sit.”

  Gemma introduced everyone. Manny sat down next to Drew and they got into an animated conversation about dogs. Manny thought it was a riot that Drew’s little dachshund had scared off a pit bull. “That would never happen with my two!” Manny declared.

  “You and your macho pit bulls,” Maria complained. “They’re not even cute. Everyone knows that cats make better pets.”

  “You’re crazy!” Manny said.

  “I think it’s a girl thing,” Drew said. “They identify more with little kitties.”

  “Hey, I’m a girl and I have a dog!” Gemma protested, getting into the debate.

  A half hour later the pet question hadn’t been resolved but the steaks were done to perfection. Everyone sat around the table having a great time. Even Gemma relaxed and found herself enjoying Drew’s company.

  “Next time you go to the dog park, take me with you,” Manny said. “You know honeys love a guy with a dog.”

  Maria smacked his arm. “If I catch you around there, you’re dead. I’m just saying.”

  Drew laughed. “I am not about to be a part of that, and have Maria kick my butt, too.”

  “Cold,” Manny said. “We guys need to stick together!”

  Maria met Gemma’s gaze for a brief second. Gemma knew exactly what Maria was thinking: This guy seems cool to me. Why couldn’t Drew have been like this earlier?

  “Sorry I stayed so long but I was afraid of your mom,” Drew joked when Gemma walked him to his car. “I don’t think she wanted me to leave.”

  “I had a good time,” Gemma admitted.

  “I figured you would since you called your friends over for backup.” He grinned. “You thought I didn’t know?”

  Gemma’s face got hot as she mumbled, “I just, uh—”

  He smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry about it. I probably would have done the same thing.”

  “You would?”

  He thought a minute. “Well ... probably not. But I thought it would make you feel better if I said I would.” He brushed her cheek with his lips, then slid into his car. He waved good-bye and started up the engine.

  Gemma watched him drive down the street, her hand resting on her cheek, her skin still feeling the soft touch of his light kiss.

  Chapter 7

  Take a Hike

  DrewG writes: Look forward to seeing u today. Don’t forget I have something special planned for us. Wear comfortable shoes.

  Gemma showed Maria the text message during fifth period home economics class.

  “Ooh,” Maria crooned. “What do you think that something special is?”

  “Haven’t a clue,” Gemma confessed. “That’s part of what makes all of this so confusing. There’s no way to predict this guy.”

  “That’s part of the fun, though, no?”

  “No,” Gemma said.

  “Girls, concentrate,” Mrs. Sutton, the home ec teacher, scolded.

  “Can you believe in this day and age they still have a class like this?” Maria said as she grabbed a towel off the counter and pulled her burnt macaroni and cheese out of the oven. “In my house, my dad does all the cooking.” She took the towel and fanned away the smoke.

  “In mine, Luigi’s down the street does a lot of our cooking,” Gemma admitted.

  “I’m glad you’re giving Drew another shot,” Maria said, still fanning the smoke. “I thought he was cool. Manny did, too. You made him sound like some sort of freak.”

  “That’s precisely my point,” Gemma complained. “It’s completely unpredictable. When he’s in a crowd, he’s fine. When he’s alone with me, he’s okay one minute but the next he turns into this hot mess. Honestly, he’s a good guy, but he either tries too hard or forgets to try at all. He pulls my seat out for me, but he stuffs his face and talks with his mouth full! And the entire time at the pizza place he kept telling me how pretty and special I was.”

  “Ooooh, call the police. That guy is a maniac,” Maria teased, picking away at the burnt pieces of cheese. “Sounds like a total jerk.”

  “It’s not that,” Gemma admitted. “But it’s like, chill, dude. I get it—you think I’m nice looking. And as soon as there is any silence between us, it’s like he freaks out. He agrees with everything I say and doesn’t seem to have an opinion of his own. I’m telling you, that’s the Drew you didn’t witness. I did. And I’m the one who looks crazy when I try to tell someone about it.”

  “If that’s really the case, tell me again why you’re giving him another chance?” Maria asked.

  Gemma sighed. With Drew she could talk herself into—or out of—going out with him depending on her mood. The variables were just so confusing.

  “When I think about it, Drew is the first guy I’ve gone out with that didn’t paw me like some zoo animal. Other than one misguided moment at the party,” Gemma added hastily. “There are these flashes of a cool guy—a guy I could really like. I’d hate to drop him before I get to know that guy better.”

  “Exactly what I said,” Maria commented. “Drew could be perfect for you, maybe.” Maria glanced up at her from under her thick dark eyelashes. “But the real question is, are you attracted to him?”

  Gemma thought for a second. “Well, he is actually cute ...” As if on autopilot, her hand fluttered to her cheek, to where his lips had touched her skin. “When he’s not in some ghetto getup,” she added quickly.

  Mrs. Sutton walked around the class checking out everyone’s dishes. When she came to theirs, she frowned and kept walking.

  “This will be our third date and I still don’t feel like I really know who he is,” Gemma continued.

  “Hey, it’s your life,” Maria said. “Apply the baseball rule to this one.”

  “Huh?”

  “I thought you were into sports.” Maria put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. “You know—three strikes and you’re out.”

  At exactly four o’clock, Drew showed up at Gemma’s front door. He was dressed in a T-shirt and a pair of khaki shorts that revealed well-muscled legs. He obviously didn’t spend all of his time playing chess or studying for the debate team. The guy worked out.

  Dr. Williams came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Hello, Drew.”

  “Have a good time, kids, but not too much fun,” her dad said, slapping Drew on the back. “I know plenty of cops in the Orange County area personally.”

  “Daaadd!” Gemma whined. As they walked out the door, she could still hear her father laughing.

  During the car ride, Gemma tried to keep conversation flowing. She didn’t want Drew to freak out again if there was another uncomfortable silence. Only when they hit a wooded area did she realize they had been talking nonstop for the last twenty minutes. And Drew had carried more than his share of the conversation—he was obviously much more relaxed today. Which, Gemma rea
lized, made her relax, too.

  Drew pulled off the main road and onto a dirt one.

  “Where are we?” Gemma asked.

  “The Santa Ana mountains. I thought you’d like this place. I come here all the time.” He stopped the car at the foothills of some large mountains in the distance.

  “We’re going hiking today,” he announced as he got out of the car. Before she could respond, he started up the hill.

  She peered down at her feet, realizing that when he had said comfortable shoes, he really meant sneakers. She thought he’d meant flats so she wore her sandals. Nothing she could do about it now. She took off after him.

  She attempted to catch up but he was moving quickly. It was obvious that nature was his element. When she fell too far behind, he would wait a few minutes for her to catch up and then resume. If nothing else, she was getting a great workout today.

  He stopped again, looked back at Gemma, and crossed his arms over his chest. He grinned and shook his head. “How is it that the star b-ball player is getting tired walking up a tiny hill?”

  “Hey, have you ever played ball in open-toe sandals? Not fun,” she complained, and then started laughing. “Actually, that’s a sight I’d love to see.”

  “I’m sorry,” Drew said. “I guess I should have been more specific about footwear. It’s just—well, I wanted to surprise you.”

  His face furrowed with concern, and Gemma realized she didn’t want to spoil his plans by complaining.

  “Nah, it’s on me,” she said. “I just wanted to show off my lovely new nail polish.” She lifted her foot and wiggled her toes. “And I’m glad you surprised me. This is ...” She held her arms out wide, indicating the incredible trail they were on. “Beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” He turned and started up the hill again.

  Gemma grinned. His excitement to share this with her, his confidence now that they were doing something he really loved—it all added up to an appealing guy.

  Gemma glanced over her head. Clouds were beginning to form. Uh-oh. “We’re going to get caught in the rain.”