We pulled up outside my apartment, and I gave in. “Okay. Deal. Lunch at noon tomorrow. In the cafeteria. We can review your schedule!” I said brightly.

“Wow, you sure know how to get a guy hot. Schedules. Are you bringing a binder? How about color-coded tabs? You know that gets me going.”

I clenched my thighs. I knew he was playing, but how on earth he managed to make that sound sexy was a mystery.

“And we can discuss your interview plans,” I added. I was definitely stalling. Why didn’t I want to get out of his car?

And I leaned closer. And then I practically sniffed him. Oh man, I was in way too deep.

“And maybe we can talk about other things…” he said suggestively, leaning over the center console to meet me in the middle. Other things? Maybe. Oh my lanta.

“I gotta go. This isn’t happening. Friends, okay?”

“Sure thing, Solver,” he said with a playful smile as I opened the door and stumbled outside.

Oakley was definitely living up to his nickname. And this was one problem I was ridiculously attracted to.

17

I woke up about five minutes before the alarm on my phone was set to go off. Despite being kidnapped and dragged five miles along a haunted road late last night, I felt strangely energized. It must have been because of other things that happened last night too. I smiled to myself and pulled up an empowerment mantra video. I pressed play and brushed my teeth while listening to the words: “I am a strong, intelligent, and empowered woman.”

My eyes passed over my pathetically small stash of makeup. I had a progress meeting with Dr. Haynes this morning and then lunch with Oakley. I told myself that I was going to do my makeup because I just wanted to look nice today, but really I wanted to look pretty for lunch. I reached for my phone and stopped the mantra video, pulling up a YouTube tutorial on naturally sexy makeup looks instead. Even though I followed each of the five hundred and seven steps the makeup goddess on my screen walked me through, my makeup looked nothing like hers when we were done. Sighing, I washed my face and replaced my failed attempt at natural sexiness with some BB cream, mascara, and a quick swipe of blush.

My phone buzzed, and a message from mom appeared on my screen.

Mom: Can’t wait to see you. Only two more days!

Oh my. I completely forgot my parents were coming. At least it was easier to fake excitement through text than it was on the phone.

Me: Me too - it’s going to be so much fun!