Angela laughed. “You do realize that you keep talking about things that most women would give anything to find.”

“Yeah, well, in case you’ve forgotten, most twenty-four-year-olds have a lot more experience carrying out all those dirty thoughts than I do.”

Angela’s expression softened. “Roni, I know you’re self-conscious about your scars, but you’ve got to start somewhere. What if he’s the right person to help you find your way through those dirty thoughts?”

“It’s not about my scars. I mean, I’m not going to be thrilled about any guy seeing them, but…” She lowered her voice and said, “He’s a whole lot of man for a girl like me, who’s only been with one guy. And that was short-lived, so it’s not like we did all that good stuff you talk about.” She’d gone out with a guy a few times when she was at Juilliard, and she’d slept with him just to get it over with, because she was the only virgin she’d known, and she was curious. The first time had sucked. The next few times had been okay, but nothing to write home about. She sighed and said, “You have to remember, Ang, I’ve lived and breathed dance my whole life. While you were out dating, I was here practicing. When you were going to prom, I was here, preparing for the Summer Showcase.”

“I know, and it paid off big time,” Angela reminded her. “But I think you forget that you’re a whole lot of woman and you can handle anything. I’m not saying you have to sleep with him or even get serious. But he made it clear on Halloween that he wants to take whatever this is between you two to the next level. Go on one date with him. Give him—and yourself—a chance to get to know each other better. The fact that you’ve maintained a friendship all this time tells me how compatible you are.”

“Like I said, I was really close to saying I’d go out with him.”

Angela motioned toward Roni’s phone and said, “And yet you haven’t even read his text. Don’t you think you should?”

“Might as well. My body is already throwing a party.” She opened his text, and they both read it. Hey, beautiful. Missed you last weekend. I’ve got a few nights this week with your name on them. Hit me up so we can connect. She melted a little inside every time he called her beautiful.

Angela sighed. “He asked you out last weekend? What was your excuse? Cleaning your grout with a toothbrush?”

“He texted over the weekend and asked me to go for a ride on his motorcycle. But I’ve never been on a motorcycle, which made me nervous to start with, and the idea of holding on to him for dear life was too much to handle. I said I had to shampoo my carpets.”

Angela gave her a deadpan look. “Seriously? You don’t even have carpets.” She grabbed Roni by the shoulders and said, “Where is that fearless girl who worked her ass off and went off to Juilliard like nothing could break her?”