Page 282 of His Virgin Romance Series

I smiled. “Um, like nine-point-five… I would even go so far as to say he was a ten.”

“Damn, girl,” Leah said. “Did you get his number?”

“No.”

“Did you give him your number?”

“Uh—”

“Gabby!” Leah said, in frustration.

“Calm down; I know where he works, remember?”

“That’s right… but what are you going to do with that information?”

I smiled. “I… well, I need to sort out a few things first.”

“Yeah… I thought so,” Leah said, with disappointment.

“Even you have to admit; I have a lot going on at the moment. I don’t have the time to invest in a new relationship. Plus… he’s a fireman.”

“So?” Leah asked. “They’re hot.”

“They’re also known for being players… that’s what Seth’s always said.”

“Seth is just trying to keep you a virgin. Don’t pay any attention to him.”

I smiled. “Maybe when I get a job and find a place to stay… and if I can keep ahead of all my school work… maybe then I’ll go down to the station and—”

“And what?” Leah demanded. “Ask him out? It might be too late by then, especially if he is as hot as you claim he is.”

“Well, then maybe it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Oh man, not this again.”

“What?” I said. “I happen to believe in signs.”

“Fate, destiny… all that is bunkum.”

“I disagree.”

“Fine,” Leah said. “Well then I hope the universe sends you a good enough sign, but I hope you know that you’ll be honor-bound to see it through. If you believe in signs, then you have to believe in following them through too.”

“I will,” I said confidently.

We spent a few more minutes talking and arguing and laughing, and when I finally hung up, I felt a lot better. It was nice to have someone to talk to every now and again. I seriously missed Leah, and sometimes I wondered if she was the only friend I was ever going to have.

I picked myself off Seth’s couch and started tidying up a bit. His apartment was a tiny one bedroom, which meant that the couch was my bed. I was in the kitchen making some dinner for Seth and Cory when I heard the door open. A second later, Cory stuck her head into the kitchen, but she didn’t look all that pleased to see me.

“Oh,” she said. “Hi.”

“Hey, Cory,” I said brightly. “I thought I’d make some dinner… any preferences?”

Cory’s dark eyes flashed around the kitchen, probably checking to make sure I hadn’t changed anything. When I had first met her, I had thought she was pretty, but the more I got to know her, the less attractive she became. I felt that Seth could do better, but he seemed to be happy, so I had shut my mouth.

“Pasta?” she suggested. “There’s a fresh packet in one of the cupboards.”

“Great.” I nodded, trying to be helpful. “I’ll get right on it.”

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