Page 15 (2/2)

His name is Tahoe Roth And he’s just a friend That’s the only reason I’m here Because friends celebrate their friends’ birthdays Don’t they?

“Look, we’ll just walk up to him, say ‘happy birthday,’ and then be on our way,” I say firmly in Wynn’s ear

She turns around, eyes flaring wide

“So soon? Before E frown and pullsto strut your stuff, say ‘happy birthday,’ and tell him that you have a present for his eyes only Then you’ll take hiet him out of your system once and for all”

“Um…that would be a hard no”

“Gina! That was the plan—to get him out of your system”

I bristle “That so wasn’t the plan You can’t work so out of your system that you don’t have in your system!”

Wynn and I squeeze together as people bump past us and toward one of the pool roo Wynn that I don’t know if I want to punch Tahoe or do hi She’s been on my case ever since

I’ of his blue eyes

My stoine his dimple

And now I’ how h to do what I’ve been fantasizing about all day

“Let’s get Tahoe in the pool—we need to get those clothes off!”

The whisper coirl and her friend push past us and head to the sa toward

“Oooh! Look! There he is!” Wynn says

I inhale sharply and feel that frustration I always experience when I look at hi He’s cocky Selfish Self-centered Really, I don’t even knoe’re friends

I stop a passing waiter and steal a tequila shot froulp, then turn to where Tahoe is standing And the tequila does nothing to soothe his effect on me

He stands with a group of men But Tahoe Roth is the only one I see

Beneath the lights his blond hair gleaed, irowth of facial hair, and a pris is one of my favorite shows and I can’t help but notice that he bears a striking resenar I’m breathless

And then…his sious and couy s s