“To experience all the over-the-top, wonderfully cheesy, cute, and adorable moments we see in rom-coms. We want to live the fantasy.” Kat clasped her hands together. “To have a real meet-cute. To stumble into love. To find the one.”

“Yeah, but it’s still a fantasy.” Julia snorted. “I don’t expect to actually find ‘the one’ here.”

“Don’t you hope you might, though?” Kat pressed. “Even just a little? It’s okay to admit it.”

At first, Julia didn’t answer. She started walking again in silence. Yesterday, she would have vehemently denied the possibility, but now, after meeting Luke …

“Fine,” she admitted. “Maybe a little.”

To her credit, Kat was gracious in her victory. She didn’t gloat; she simply gave Julia a small, knowing smile.

“What are you two whispering about back there?” Andie called from where she’d stopped to wait for them.

“I was just telling our girl Jules here she can still have some fun while working on her review.”

“I’m not saying I don’t think I should be having fun,” Julia protested. “I just don’t agree with some of Kat’s suggestions for what qualifies as fun. Not under these circumstances, anyway.”

“Under what circumstances, then?” Andie asked.

“Huh?”

Andie popped open the sports bottle she was carrying. “I’m assuming the circumstances being discussed involve a certain someone?”

“You know they do,” Kat agreed. “What’s in there?” She pointed at the bottle Andie was chugging.

“Vodka.”

“Really?” Kat grabbed it and took a swig. “Tease! This is just water.”

“You honestly thought I could chug vodka like that?” Andie shook her head. “I don’t know if I should be insulted or proud.” She grabbed her bottle back and turned to Julia. “What I’m hearing is that you feel weird about engaging in any … What’s the word I’m looking for?”

“Hanky-panky?” Kat suggested.

“That works.” Andie grinned. “You want to avoid any hanky-panky because you feel it would be inappropriate, given the circumstances of who you are and why you’re here.”

“Exactly.” Julia exhaled. “I’m glad you understand.”

“Yeah, but here’s the thing. I don’t.” Andie took another sip of water and shook her head. “I mean I would understand, except that I watched the two of you together last night and he was giving you the look.”

“What look?”

“You know the one. The one when he looks at you, he looks at you.”

Julia stopped walking, hands on her hips. “What are you talking about?”

“Kat, you know what I’m talking about, right?”

“Yep.” Kat promptly confirmed. “Everyone knows the look.”

“Apparently not everyone,” Julia snapped. She was hot and irritable and didn’t want to have this conversation. “Are you sure that isn’t vodka in there?”