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"Are you sure?"

"Yep No problem It wasn’t that we had a bad breakup In fact, as far as breakups go, it washim, but eventually he came around He didn’t think I had the balls to do it, and boy, was he surprised" I played with my napkin

I’d dated James most of my senior year at Berkeley He was already in law school, steadily oodness, he was beautiful--strong and handsoht, had coffee a few tirew into a solid relationship

The sex? Unreal

He was my first serious boyfriend, and I kneanted to marry me at some point He had very specific ideas about what he wanted from his life, and that definitely included ht I wanted in a husband Engages, s picture We here he wanted to for dinner I never got to pick I overheard hi" phase wouldn’t last long, but it’d be nice to have a ho could reat, but I was irritated with hi

When I began to realize he was no longer what I wanted for ht constantly, and when I decided to end the relationship, he tried to convincechoice I knew better, and he finally accepted that I was really done--and not just pitching a "feminine fit," as he liked to call them We didn’t keep in contact, but he’d been atiether I cherished what he’d taught me about myself

Just because we didn’t work out as a couple didn’t ht?

"You sure about this? You really want to ith him?" Jillian asked one o

I thought about it again, replaying the flash ofin the lobby Sandy blond hair, piercing eyes, charrinned as he crossed toasped, but recovered quickly "You look great!" We hugged--to gawking Ashley’s surprise

"Yes, I’rowth experience Plus, I don’t want to give up the coht"

At that she looked up fro for drinks to get caught up"

I stood in front of theone quickly, and I now found reed to just drinks, very casual, although I was leaving the option open for dinner But skinny jeans, black turtleneck, and cropped gray leather jacket was as fancy as I was gonna get

The ti with Jao for drinks to catch up, I agreed instantly I was anxious to learn what he’d been up to, as well as e part ofable to ith soood to me It felt mature Closure? Not sure what to call it, but it seeon lance at the clock told oodbye to Clive, who’d been on his best behavior since the pee incident, and let ht into Simon, as in front of my door

"Okay, you are officially my stalker! There’s no more zucchini bread, mister I hope you made that loaf last because there is nohier

"I know, I know I’ up his ar toward the stairs

"I’ to rent a movie," he explained as we started down

"People still rentthe corner

"Yes, people still rent onna have to watch whatever I pick out," he replied, raising an eyebrow

"Tonight?"

"Sure, why not I was co out I owe you for dinner fro spooky…" He launched into The Twilight Zone theh at his claw hands and crossed eyes "Last time someone asked me to rent a movie it was code for ‘let’s make out on the couch’ Aot that truce, reht?"

"I wish I could, but I have plans tonight Toht?" We rounded the last stair and entered the entryway

"Toet to pick theyou dinner Least I can do for my little cockblocker" He sthe door open as I walked out into the night

"Mmm-hmm I picked up so pie all week How does that sound?" I asked, scanning the street for James

"Apple pie? Ho to kill rily

"Why, sir, you look like you’ve seen so you’d like to eat," I offered in ht, and I may not let you leave," he breathed, his cheeks rosy and hisin the cool air

"That would be terrible," I whispered Wow "Okay, so, go get yourthe six feet of hot in front of me Remember the harem! I shouted inside my head