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I’m confident I can ain Holding onto Alex’s well-defined forearm definitely helps

“Don’t you want to see what Alex brought you? He’s such a doll!” My estures between Alex and the flowers

The bouquet is even ant than the ones he sent previously I’m torn I don’t want hiet the hell away froiven the opportunity for further h school I pick up the bouquet and give it a quick sniff

“These are beautiful Thank you” Alex beaht at the compliment

“Can you put these in some water, please?” I ask my mom

“Don’t you want to invite Alex in for a drink? Sidney’sme a Manhattan It’s cocktail hour!”

His warates my snide response “Thank you for the invitation, but we have dinner reservations Maybe another time”

“Oh! Of course! You kids have fun I’m sure Sidney will be ht!”

“Okay, well, we don’t want to be late!” I tug on Alex’s sleeve, prayingelse to further my humiliation This is exactly why I need to move into an apartment far away from her

Alex helps me into my coat and my mother waves us off

“Sorry about her,” I say as alk down the path to the driveway It’s icy, so I hold his arm “Parent introductions aren’t supposed to happen until the fifty-seventh date or so”

“No worries I think she likes me”

“She’s e”

“Aren’t all parents?”

He opens the passenger door and helps roo in ested ear and we’re on our way don

“Are you okay? That fall looked like it hurt” His palm comes to rest on the back of my neck

“My giant booty broke my fall”

“I happen to like your bootyalmost as much as I like your other assets”

“Speaking of which, the Victoria’s Secret gift certificate is excessive”

“You used it?”