She was dramatic, but I had a feeling her words weren’t far from the truth. If she found out that Hailey and Sean had been dating for less than a month, she’d have even more to say, and I wouldn’t even be able to argue with her, since I thought the whole thing was insane. My aunt and uncle were young. They’d been newly married when I’d gone to live with them, and in a lot of ways we’d grown up together. They were the fun parents, the ones who’d pretended they didn’t know when my friends and I sneaked cigarettes and wine or spent hours discussing boys instead of doing our homework. However, underneath the surface, they’d always taken their duties as my surrogate parents very seriously.

“I don’t have a boyfriend, and I like my apartment,” I said seriously.

“Good. Wait until you come home before you find a man,” she replied. She’d said the same thing more than a few times before. “Easier that way.” It would be easier for her, she meant. If I met my future husband in New York, she could be as nosy as she wanted and meddle until she drove me completely crazy, and she wouldn’t have to worry that I’d stay in Missouri forever.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, searching in my closet for something to wear. “I have to go—I have a million things to do tonight.”

After I promised I’d call again on Sunday, and dodged her questions about when I’d last set foot in a synagogue, we hung up. I didn’t know why she still asked if I was going to temple when she knew the answer. I’d lost my faith when I was fourteen, and no nagging from her would change that.

I stuffed my phone into the pocket of my robe and stared into my closet. I should have asked my aunt’s opinion on what I should wear; she’d seen nearly every item of clothing I owned. And she’d definitely have an opinion.

Jeans were always a good choice. Casual, so I didn’t look like I was trying too hard, and I had a pair that made my ass look really good. I didn’t know why I was so concerned with how my ass looked. Okay, no, that was a lie. I knew exactly why I had to look amazing at Hailey and Sean’s party tomorrow afternoon.

Alex Evans.

I hadn’t been lying when I told him that I was trying to focus on school instead of dating. But damn, it had been hard to tell him no. The man was gorgeous. Charming, too, when he tried to be.