ll how she'd managed to fall asleep the night before. William's last text haunted her thoughts: "You know me, and you're good at pretending." The words played o

st and Furious" driver, as she cruised patiently down the road, her fa

g the usual crowd was Patrick, her long-time crush from the finance department. Her heart skipped a beat. Th

d implenting the campaig

ge a series of awkward nods. She wasn't sure if they were watching because of yesterda

ter. But her excitement didn't end there. She hurried to her desk, eager

in. Inside was not one but two

en ages since she last watched a movie-so long, in fact, she couldn't even recall the d

. That one awkward, cr

her about the dangers of cinema dates. "Guys take advantage of the dim lights and silence," she'd declared ominously. "First, he'll hold your hand.

he to question such wisdom? Beside her sister is the date goddess pratically having guys line up for woe her. She swor

ap out of her chest. But Jerome, bless his oblivious soul, was nothing like the predator her si

d, an arm around her shoulder, maybe even the dreaded kiss-but nothing happened. They just... watche

an any romantic interaction. As they exited the theater, she spotted some classmates on the same floo

ing some of their classmate shouting at them but she could not recall what. W

When she finally returned, the teasing continued, though not as intensely. And then Jerome, in a surprising twist, confe

s with a casual shrug during their grad ball. Emma, stunned but oddly

ma with a guy ever since-despite now, knowing that kissing alone won't get you pregn

arly today. She immediately hid the ticket. She wasn't sure whether to tell him about it- that it was William who had given it to her. She knew Eli was quite the

r Patrick. Greedy much?" Eli t

She rolled her eyes. Sure, everyone had a harmless crush on h

s the one playing mysterious, after all. Finally, she decided to let him reach out first. But as lunchtime rolled around,

afeteria. Despite herself, she scanned the ro

e?" Eli muttered be

in on the teasing. "Is

hands in mock su

bout the ladies today. Everyone's all dolled u

ust looks pissed," Eli added, p

ecause of me and maybe it's just Friday night

sert. "These things? Definitely not a

new ad campaign. Emma did her best to ignore the office gossip and stay on task. By the e

id cheerfully. "What do you

above her head. "Success!

phone buzzed. She discreetly answer

es

e came through the line.

he repli

movie. It's for the last

back at him for maki

, Eli called out, "Hey, g

m's voice dropped to a whisper. "I hate to break it to you, but I

d, drawing attention

them off. "Emergen

to herself, What the hell is this guy trying