“Sometimes you and I go out to get lunch,” Roni said, but it sounded pathetic, even to her, and totally worthy of Angela’s eye roll.

“Come on. You’re the prettiest, smartest, and most talented person I have ever met, and we both know you’ll never go out and meet a guy on your own. You should thank me for handpicking him for you.”

“I never asked you to do that, and I don’t need a man to be happy.”

“I know you don’t, but I’ve known you forever, and I’ve never seen you react to any guy the way you do to Quincy. Everyone saw the way you locked eyes on each other when he was walking through the room before the auction. When he strolled up to the table and set those sexy blue eyes on you, you grabbed the edge of your seat like a lifeline.”

Roni’s pulse quickened with the memory. Her body had gone white-hot, vibrating with unfamiliar exhilaration. The only time she’d ever felt anything that powerful was when she danced.

“I gotta tell ya, Roni, I worry that the car that hit you might have broken more than just your bones. I think it knocked your hormones out of whack, too. If I were you, I’d be all over him.”

Laughter bubbled out, and Roni said, “My hormones are fine, as proven by the way his texts make my heart race. I swear, one glance from him, even after all these months, gives me butterflies. What the heck is that all about?”

“It’s called chemistry.”

Roni scoffed. “That level of chemistry is way out of my league. The guy exudes testosterone with his tatted-up arms and scruffy jaw that says he can’t be bothered to shave more than once every couple of weeks. Then there’s his light-brown hair brushing his collar, making you want to grab hold of it, and…” Her hands fisted, itching to do just that. She loved his hair. “And he’s got some kind of dark, passionate thing brewing in his eyes. You’ve seen it. I have no idea what that is. He looks a little haunted and guarded, but also daring, which is super confusing. Not to mention the way he asks after me all sweet and charming like he’s not really pursuing me, meanwhile he’s building a friendship that’s bursting at the seams to be more.”

“I know plenty of girls who would let him charm their panties off,” Angela said with a giggle.

“No kidding, Angela. That’s the problem. When that text first rolled in, before I tried to dance off my nervousness, I was this close to telling him I’d go out with him. But then I remembered that the minute he looks at me, my body heats up and my brain turns me into a sex-craved maniac. I’m afraid to talk to him because of all the X-rated thoughts he sends spinning in my head.” Heat skated over her skin, bringing rise to goose bumps. She thrust her arm out and said, “Look. That’s from just talking about him. See why I can’t go out with him?”