“Oh, yeah.” He glanced at it. “But that’s not my real name.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I bet you can’t guess what is.”

“Ernie?” Andie suggested.

“Huh? No.” Burt shook his head. “Wait.” He huffed out a laugh. “I get it. Burt. Ernie.” He grinned at Andie and sidled up to her. “That’s good. You’re very funny.”

“I’m a riot,” Andie agreed, deadpan.

“I’ll give you a clue,” he continued, either missing or ignoring Andie’s sarcasm. “My real name rhymes with my fake name.”

“Ooh, a brain teaser,” Andie said, still poker-faced. “Is it Dirt?”

“Why would someone name their kid Dirt?” Not-Burt seemed exceedingly concerned at the prospect.

“They really love the earth?” Julia offered.

Andie snorted with laughter. “I give up. What’s your name, Rhymes with Burt?”

“It’s Curt. Actually, it’s Curtis, but only my mom calls me that.” He put a hand up to his mouth and pretended to yell in what Julia assumed was a shrill imitation of his mother. “Curtis! Turn off that video game and come take the garbage out!”

“You still live at home, huh?” Andie asked, smile plastered to her face.

“Temporary situation only,” Burt-actually-Curt-only-my-mom-calls-me-Curtis assured her.

“If you’ll excuse us one moment.” Andie grabbed Julia’s arm and stepped away.

“What’s the matter?” Julia whispered. “Do you want to abandon the Curtis ship? I won’t blame you if you do.”

“Nah.” Andie shook her head. “I’ll ride this one out.” A gleam appeared in her dark eyes. “Which means it’s your turn.” She flicked her chin at someone behind Julia. “I pick him.”

Instinctively, Julia knew exactly who her friend had chosen. She glanced over her shoulder for confirmation. Yep. It was Luke. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he surveyed the room. “This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?” Julia hissed.

“And if it was? A deal is a deal. Now pull up your big girl britches and go talk to him already,” Andie ordered.

“Excuse me?”

“You and your guy from the beach have been making eyes at each other ever since he walked in tonight.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Julia lied.

“Uh-huh,” Andie drawled, dragging the word out in a way that emphasized her mountain of doubt. “Did you really think I didn’t notice you notice him?”

“Fine,” Julia admitted in a rush. “I noticed him. But it doesn’t matter, since he’s been ignoring me.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Andie rolled her eyes heavenward. “He’s been checking you out whenever he thinks you’re not looking. I swear, it’s like a junior high dance up in here.” Andie nudged Julia forward. “Now stop being a ninny and go talk to him.”