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Authors: Nia Stephens

BOOK: Like This And Like That
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Chapter 6
Boys Will Be Boys
A
ll through bio class the next day, Gemma could not stop thinking about Drew. It didn't help that she heard Christine bragging to her lab partner about the wonderful date she had last night. Everything was,
Drew was so sweet
and
Drew this
and
Drew that
. The final kicker was when she said that Drew was a total gentleman.
Yeah, was that before or after making out in the movies like a prison conjugal visit
, Gemma thought. She realized she was just being petty, but the truth was she really regretted both how she had dumped him, and that she had dumped him at all. All last night she kept hearing Maria's nagging voice in her head.
See, chica, you never know what you have 'til it's gone
.
“What's up with you today?” Gemma's lab partner, Seth Cole, asked. “You act like you just found out Kobe was being traded.”
“I wish,” Gemma said, not being a big Kobe Bryant fan. She studied Seth's face for a moment. “Hey, you're a guy, right?”
“I like to think so.”
“So how can guys get dumped one minute and the next minute be making out with some random girl?”
Seth thought a moment. “If you're already dating said random girl
before
getting dumped by the first girl, it's easy. You just switch your focus onto the random girl and shift her into first position.”
Nice.
Gemma glanced at Christine, who was sitting in front. She hardly thought it was Drew's style to date several girls at once. If he was a player, he'd have much smoother moves. Then again, she didn't think he was the type to show PDA—and so much of it—in a public place.
“Or,” Seth continued, “guys have been known to hook up with a random girl right after being dumped. It softens the blow.”
Gemma cocked her head, considering. “Does that mean he really likes that random girl he made out with?”
Seth leaned in a little closer. “Let me clue you in on something and you are not to repeat it. I'd have my guy membership revoked for this.” He hesitated a second and then said, “Making out with a girl doesn't necessarily mean anything.”
Gemma frowned, wondering when he was going to clue her in to something she
didn't
know.
Seth straightened back up. “Random girl may have just been there at the right time.” He narrowed his eyes, looking at her. “I assume you're girl number one and not the random girl.”
Gemma nodded.
“And now you're bothered about dumping him because you saw him with random girl.”
Gemma nodded again.
Seth shrugged. “Go for it. Tell the dude you're sorry for giving him the boot. I bet he'll forgive you.”
“What makes you say that?” Gemma asked.
Seth looked her up and down. “Hello? Have you seen a mirror lately? You're hot.”
Gemma felt her cheeks flush. Why was Seth always so sweet?
“I know I'd take you back even if you broke up with me via full page ad in the
L.A. Times
. Hot always overrides a dis.”
“Spoken like a true guy,” Gemma said. She gave him a quick hug. “Thanks, though.” She was grateful that he let her in on the unwritten but the very much spoken
Guys' Code of No Ethics When It Comes to Chicks
.
Her decision was made. She was going to contact Drew.
 
“Thanks for meeting me here,” Gemma told Drew. She thought it might be a good idea to go to the park and take their dogs for a walk. It gave them something to do, rather than sitting in a restaurant face-to-face at a tiny table. Just in case this didn't go well.
“Drew, I'm sorry,” she blurted when LeBron came to a stop to sniff a tree. Drew's dachshund, Stanley, joined him.
“Are you sorry for breaking up with me or the cold way you did it?”
His words made her cringe. So he
was
upset. She couldn't blame him though. “I'm sorry for both,” she admitted.
The dogs tugged at their leashes, indicating they were ready to explore new territory. Drew and Gemma resumed walking.
“I made a huge mistake. I guess I wasn't sure how to handle it, so I took the easy way out. And I'm sorry.”
Drew stood silently watching the dogs. Gemma's stomach twisted. She really wanted him to forgive her for sending that text. And she really hoped that he was still interested in dating her.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he said, “So does this mean you want to go out again some time?”
Relief flooded through Gemma and she smiled. “I'd love to.” But then she remembered the scene at the movie theater. “But what about Christine?” she blurted.
“How do you know about Christine?” he asked, surprised.
Crap. How could she have opened her big fat mouth and let that slip out? Seeing no way out, Gemma steeled herself and decided she should just keep telling the truth. “I ... I sort of ... well ... saw you two at the movies.”
Now Drew was the one who looked embarrassed. “Christine is cool but I don't think I'm interested in her like that. And,” he added, “I already told her. In
person
.” He gave Gemma a pointed look.
“Okay, I hear what you're saying,” Gemma said. “That was a stupid way to handle things. I promise, I'll be more up-front and direct from now on.”
The dogs began yipping at one another. When they were finished with their doggie debate, they continued their hunt for the perfect tree, with Drew and Gemma close behind.
“So do you want to go to the movies this weekend?” Drew asked.
The unfortunate image of Drew and Christine making out flashed through Gemma's head. “I think I've had enough of movie theaters,” she said. “You can come over to my house and we can rent something.”
“Even better,” he agreed. He leaned over and kissed her. A spark shot through her entire body. As Drew wrapped his arms around her, Gemma felt as if outside forces were pulling them closer and closer. After what seemed like hours, Drew broke the kiss and laughed.
Gemma flushed, feeling suddenly self-conscious. Had she been a terrible kisser?
Drew noticed her nervous expression and smiled. “Look down,” he said.
Gemma did and saw their dogs' leashes wrapped around both her and Drew's legs. So much for a magical outside force pulling them together. Unable to untangle themselves, Drew took the opportunity to kiss her again, but this time much more deeply and much more intensely.
They finally pulled apart, and gazed into each other's eyes. Gemma felt warmth flood her body. This felt good. This felt right.
The dogs started barking furiously again.
“Thanks for your help, guys,” Drew said to the dogs. Then he turned his attention back to Gemma. “If this is the only way I can keep you from running from me again, I'll take it.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Gemma told him. And she meant it.
The End
You Chose Dan
Chapter 4
Coffee and Chocolate
“Y
ay!” Maria cheered. “You're choosing Dan, the artsy guy.”
“I know. I can't believe it myself,” Gemma said, suddenly nervous. “He's going to be so different from me, and from the other guys I've dated.” She turned to look at Maria. “But that's a good thing, right?”
“Of course it is,” Maria assured her. “Don't you want to broaden your horizons and experience something completely outside your normal existence?”
Gemma raised an eyebrow. “Have you been dipping into your dad's special cabinet again?” Then she turned back to her computer. “Think I should e-mail him now?”
“Yup.”
“What should I say?” Gemma was horrible at making initial contact. She never approached guys; she always waited until they came after her. That was one of the more exciting things about this whole boy shopping idea—for once she was the one in control. She didn't have to wait for someone to pick her. But it's what also made it intimidating.
Maria, on the other hand, was an expert at it. It was she who approached Manny first and they'd been inseparable ever since. The closest Gemma ever came to approaching someone was with Nick—and even then she flirted back and forth until he made the first move. Look where that got her. Maybe she
was
ready to do this.
But before Gemma could begin her e-mail, Maria nudged her off the chair. “Here. This is what you put.” Her fingers flew over the keyboard.
Hi, Dan.
My name is Gemma and the computer seems to think we'd be compatible. I'd like to find out if it's true! I'm five foot seven and play basketball for the school team, but I like the finer things in life, too. If you'd like to find out more, and see my photo, go to my profile by following the link.
TTYL
Gemma
“You are a genius!” Gemma exclaimed. “That's perfect.” She reread the e-mail. “And doesn't sound too desperate.” She hit send.
Maria patted herself on the back. “Do I know you or what?” She flopped back down onto Gemma's bed.
“One question,” Gemma said. “What are these ‘finer' things that I'm so into?”
“If this Dan is fine, you'd be into him!”
Gemma laughed. “You have a one-track mind, Maria.”
Two hours later the girls returned to Gemma's room, sopping wet. They'd spent the afternoon in the pool so that Gemma could burn off her nervous energy. Gemma had just been too ansty to sit around waiting to see if Dan would write back, and Maria wanted to work on her tan. As soon as Gemma opened her bedroom door, LeBron jumped off the bed and into his corner.
“That dog thinks he's so slick,” Maria said, laughing as she dried off. “Like you don't know he lies all over your bed, funking it up.”
“Leave my LeBron alone. My dog is not stinky.”
“I'll leave him alone solely because your dog is the only male that has actually seen your bed.”
“Hey!” Gemma cried. But before she could get any more worked up, a beep from her computer interrupted—the beep that indicated she had new e-mail.
Both girls rushed to the computer and started to read:
Hi Gemma. Glad U e-mailed. You sound like a terrific person and I would love to meet you. How about we meet at the coffeehouse on Nicholson street in an hour. If this is okay, here is my number. Call me and we can set things up.
“What should I do?” Gemma asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Maria didn't answer. Instead she sat in front of the computer and typed
I'd love to
, and hit send. “There,” she declared. “That's what you do.” Then she grabbed the phone and started dialing.
“What are you doing?” Gemma asked, her panic rising.
“Trying to get this thing going. Your mother is on your case already about that ‘beach shindig.' ” Maria made air quotes and smirked. “I'm going to get on your case about it too, since I do not want to go to that party without you. So hopefully Dan will be the perfect guy to bring!” She held the phone to her ear and whispered, “It's ringing.”
Gemma felt her heart stop in midbeat. Quickly, she grabbed the phone from Maria.
“Hello?” a voice answered.
For a brief second, Gemma considered hanging up but she couldn't get her hand to cooperate. It was like her entire body was in a catatonic state. She cleared her throat. Ugh. That was an unattractive sound.
“Is someone there?” the voice asked.
“Is this Dan?” she blurted.
“Hey, is this Gemma?” he asked, his voice warm and sounding pleased. He pronounced her name with a hard G but she was too flustered to correct him. At least he sounded happy to hear from her.
“Yes,” she replied. “I-I got your e-mail.”
“Great,” he said. “So does this mean that you'd be up for grabbing some coffee later?”
Gemma smiled and made an OK sign with her fingers to Maria. Maria gave her a thumbs-up. “Coffee sounds great.”
“Does he sound cute?” Maria whispered.
Gemma shooed her friend away so she could hear the rest of the details.
As soon as she hung up, she and Maria took one look at each other and started screaming. LeBron, who had been sleeping, jumped up, watched the hysteria for a few seconds and then plopped back down onto his spot.
“We only have an hour,” Gemma said. “We have to get to work on finding me an outfit!”
Four outfits and one very messy room later, they had decided on a pair of capris, a halter, and a shrug. Gemma studied herself in the full-length mirror. “Does this look artsy enough?”
Maria shrugged. “What does artsy look like?”
“I don't know, I thought
you
knew.”
“You look fine, chica,” Maria said and shooed her best friend out the door. “Now go get us a date for the beach party.”
 
Gemma thought the coffee shop was the perfect place to meet. It was public, and they could talk, unlike sitting side-by-side silently in a movie theater. And it was only a few minutes from her house so if she didn't like him she could make a quick getaway.
Stop being so negative
, she scolded herself.
That's the old anti-date Gemma
.
Today you are the positive, dating-is-fun Gemma.
She arrived at the trendy coffeehouse and peeked through the glass doors searching for guys sitting alone. Dan's picture was so abstract, she didn't think she'd recognize him unless he had two eyes on one side of his face. She hoped he'd recognize her.
She spotted just one guy by himself, but his head was buried in a book so she couldn't see his face. When the waitress came over to his table, he finally looked up. Gemma stumbled backward and stepped on the foot of a girl on her way into the coffeehouse.
“Sorry,” Gemma said.
The girl glared at her. “In or out?” she demanded.
Gemma moved out of the girl's way and let her slip inside. The door swung closed again. Gemma took another peek at the guy alone.
No way
, she thought. That guy looked like Frankenstein's cousin. What should she do? After hyperventilating for the next few seconds, she decided to go in and get it over with. She'd be polite, make it through the next few minutes with Quasimodo in there, come up with an excuse, then leave.
She took a deep breath and pulled the glass door open. It swung open wider than she expected and she bumped into someone behind her. This time her purse flew from her hands and landed on the asphalt. The contents scattered everywhere.
“Sorry,” a tall, brown-skinned guy with amazing chocolate brown eyes said.
“N-no-no. My fault,” Gemma said. “Completely.”
Gemma noticed he had one of those little clefts right in the center of his chin. Taking quick inventory she also saw that he was dressed impeccably, with creaseless khakis and a pink polo shirt. His hair was in dreads and hung to his shoulders. Why couldn't
he
be the guy she was supposed to meet? This guy was definitely much hotter than her date inside.
As she scrambled to pick up her rolling tube of mascara, the hottie squatted down on the ground next to her and began helping her retrieve the items.
Thank goodness it wasn't that time of the month,
she thought.
The guy kept staring at her as he loaded her purse with coins, tissues, and her cell phone. “Are you Gemma?” he asked, mispronouncing her name again.
Gemma sat back on her heels. “Dan?”
He smiled broadly, revealing even white teeth and a dimple. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Gemma could not stop grinning. What a relief! “Oh, and it's Gemma by the way,” she said, correcting him this time. She didn't want him mispronouncing her name at their fiftieth wedding anniversary party.
He stood and put out his hand to help her to her feet.
“You don't look at all like your picture,” Gemma commented, remembering the abstract drawing attached to his profile. She hadn't been able to tell from the picture whether he was black or white. Standing before him now, she could conclude without a doubt that he was definitely a brother.
“I'm hurt,” he said with a mock frown. “That was one of my self-portraits.”
“Wow,” Gemma said. She was thoroughly impressed.
Dan gestured to the door. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” Gemma smiled.
He held the door open for her and she sailed past him as if she were floating on air. He followed her into the busy coffee shop and guided her toward a booth in the back.
“So what got you interested in painting?” Gemma asked.
Good, I'm asking questions
, she thought. It showed that she was interested in him, and most guys love to talk about themselves. Maria would be so proud!
“I've always loved to paint,” Dan explained. “In fact, I can't remember a time I didn't. In just a few weeks I'll have my paintings hanging in DeBarres Art Studio for my very first auction,” he said. He took a sip of his latte. His eyes gleamed with pride. “I'm the youngest artist they've ever exhibited. I'm really excited.”
“You should be,” Gemma told him. “You're really accomplished.”
Dan shrugged, but she could tell he was pleased by her compliment.
“What kind of art do you like?” Dan asked.
Gemma bit her lip, hoping she didn't look as worried as she felt. She decided honesty was the best policy—besides, he'd be able to tell if she tried to pass off her limited knowledge as any sort of expertise.
“Well, I don't know very much about it,” she admitted, “But I'd like to learn more ...” She let her words trail off and gazed into his chocolate eyes.
He smiled warmly, but then he seemed to be waiting for her to continue.
“Uh, what kind of art do you like?” she asked, then inwardly winced. That sounded so lame, like she wanted to find out what he thought so she could pretend to agree with him. She hoped he didn't think she was one of those girls who just parroted back her date's opinions.
He stretched his arms out along the back of the booth. “I enjoy many different styles, and many different eras. Picasso was obviously the inspiration for the self-portrait on the website.”
Gemma laughed. “Yeah, I'd rethink that. I half-expected to walk in and find a guy with two noses on one side of his face and spikes for hair.”
Dan grinned.
Good, he didn't mind a little teasing
. “I'm glad to see you came anyway,” he said. “Shows you aren't shallow, only interested in a guy's looks.”

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