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Prologue

Eleven years ago

~Meredith~

Meet u at ur place in 30 Luv u

I grin and type back a quick luv u 2 and snap my phone shut as I hurry home from dance class I really wanted to skip dance today, but Mark insisted that I go He said he understands how important dance is toht It’s a week early because ht on a business trip, and Mark told his folks that he’s staying at a friend’s house so he can stay with ht

I can’t decide if I’m super nervous or super excited Maybe I’rin and shimmy my butt in a little happy dance in the driver’s seat of h tiets to h the shower, but pay extra attention to shavingoff the mirror in my bathroom and wrinkle my nose My makeup did not survive dance and the shower, so I quickly scrub my face clean and just reapply loss on my lips Mark’s seen me without makeup plenty of ti an effort tonight

I pull the short black skirt and red-cropped sweater that shows offinto so for this exact occasion, I shimmy into the cute outfit and take a turn before my mirror

"You’re so beautiful," I hear fro his shoulder against my doorjamb "So this is what it looks like"

"This is it" I open lance around my bedroom Mom doesn’t allow Mark up here with iven e’ll be using this rooers as giant butterflies take flight in my belly

"I like it" His eyes still haven’t moved from me I smile shyly

"You haven’t even looked at it"

He slances about my frilly room My dance shoes are scattered about Photos of my dance teams and friends clutter a cork bulletin board above ether at Pike’s Place Market is framed next to my bed The top of my dresser is littered with makeup and jewelry My double-sized bed is ed the sheets before I left for dance this afternoon

"I like it," he repeats "Why are you standing way over there?"

I shrug one shoulder and glance out the atching the rain fall down thepane

"Hey, M" He walks to s me close This is what I needed, the fa arer than me His muscles are crazy defined, but it’s his sweet smile and blue eyes that have done y class last year

When he shty secret

I hope I learn all of his naughty secrets tonight

"I’iggle and bounce down the steps behind hi?"