Miles occupies my thoughts all day Friday. I resist my cell until I'm home alone.

There's no real food here. I make a dinner out of dry cereal. It's not the healthiest option in the world, but it's quick and easy.

Kara: Remember how you want to sleep with Miles?

Meg: I didn't exactly say that.

Kara: I might have mentioned movie night to Drew. He and Miles invited themselves. Do you want me to tell them to get lost or do you want me to help you take him home?

Meg: Neither.

Kara: You sure it's okay?

Meg: Reasonably sure.

My body is already in knots thinking of the proximity to Miles. Thinking of all the things he could do to me in a dark theater.

Kara: So you're not going to cancel on me at 11:59 because you're "too tired"?

She knows me too well.

Meg: I'm not going to let anyone ruin my favorite movie.

Kara: You can have my pick Sunday.

Meg: And next Sunday.

Kara: Deal. Do you really want to use Miles for sex? Because I can make sure you two get a chance to be alone.

Meg: I don't know yet.

Kara: I want it on the record that it's a terrible idea. But he's super fucking hot. Like hotter than the sun. I don't fault you for wanting him.

Meg: It's on the record.

Kara: So?

Meg: I'm leaning towards it.

Kara: OMG! You have to promise details.

Meg: Aren't we a little old for that?

Kara: Not at all, sweetie. I'll make sure it happens. And I am sorry. I should have asked before I soft-invited Drew. But he loves sci-fi as much as you do. I had to mention it.

Meg: It's not because you want him.

Kara: Don't start with that. We're friends and he's never going to think of me that way. I don't want to be reminded that it's never going to happen. I like Drew. He's a good friend. I'm happy to have him as a friend.

Meg: But you do like him?

Kara: Seriously, don't start. It doesn't matter. He'll never see me that way.

Meg: He was looking at you that way at the party.

Kara: He was drunk. Doesn't count. Wear something cute. If you want to sleep with Miles. A skirt. No black. It looks good on you but it puts you in a mood.

Meg: It does not.

Kara: You want to sleep with the hot rock star or not?

Meg: Point taken.

* * *

My outfit is plain—a white tank top and a short denim skirt—but Miles is looking at me like I'm wearing the world's finest lingerie.

Like I have the curves to fill out lacy lingerie.

Most of the time, when I stand next to Kara, I feel particularly tall and flat. But right now, I feel like a supermodel. Like I'm the sexiest girl in the room.

I clear my throat. "Hi."

Miles nods a hello. "I like your skirt."

"Thanks."

Drew looks Kara up and down, taking in her snug dress. The girl wears clothes. And it's clear Drew appreciates the way the fabric stretches over her curves.

He is looking at her that way, whatever that means.

He's practically got steam coming out of his ears. It makes me more aware of my desire, of how badly I want to pull off Miles's fitted t-shirt. Damn, I bet his skin would feel good against my hands.

Drew barely manages to pull his eyes away from Kara. He nods hello. "Hope you don't mind us crashing your girls' night out."

"Who could resist the chance to watch Jurassic Park on the big screen?"

My tank top strap slips down my shoulder. I watch Miles's expression for signs of interest. He's not as obvious as his friend, but his interest is clear. His tongue slides over his lips. It sends shivers down my spine, seeing how much he wants me.

I pull my strap up. "Should we get tickets? It's almost midnight."

Kara pulls something from her purse. "Already got 'em."

Miles chimes in. "Meg and I can grab seats. You guys get drinks."

"Sure." I step inside the theater and take the door on the right. The Nuart is a cozy, single-screen theater. It seats about a hundred and fifty people. There are two dozen here tonight.

Miles presses his palm flat against my lower back, guiding me. My body fails to realize what a nonevent this is. Heat spreads from my back to my stomach and thighs.

Why stay through the movie? I should take him up on his offer now. I should take him home now. I need a release from my thoughts. I need a break from school and work.

I need to stop feeling like the weird buzzkill, like I'm the only college student who hasn't had sex.

Like I hurt so much I can't breathe. I want to be as casual and effortless as he is.

I take an aisle seat. Miles plops next to me, hand on the armrest, body turned towards mine. His eyes pass over me slowly. They focus on my bare thighs. "You keep looking at me like you're thinking about throwing me on your bed."

"I do not."

"Mhmm." His gorgeous blue eyes bore into mine. "Any thoughts you'd like to share?"

"This movie, it's all about how men shouldn't fuck with female creatures. It should be a warning to you."

He laughs. "True."

"You like Jurassic Park?"

"Why? Did you also not imagine the guy who wrote In Pieces as liking Jurassic Park?"

"I didn't consider it."

"Guy who's been through that kind of pain. He'd want something dark. Alien," Miles offers. "Maybe Terminator 2."

I let out a deep laugh. It's a full-blown belly laugh. I can feel it in my cheeks, in my sides, all the way to my fingertips.

It's the deepest, fullest laugh I've had since before Rosie died.

My eyes meet Miles's. I'm still not sure what to make of him. He treats everything casually. I don't. And I don't know if I can handle sleeping with someone if the sex means everything to me and nothing to him.

But damn do I want to seize this opportunity. When will I meet another guy who stirs this kind of desire in me? I have four years of medical school then another few of residency in my future. I'm not going to spend the next decade celibate.

Better to start now.

My train of thought is interrupted by Drew.

He steps over us, taking the seat next to Miles. "Kara's in the bathroom." He looks at his friend, shaking his head. "Meg, find me if Miles is giving you trouble. I'll take care of it."

"Next you're supposed to threaten violence." Miles chuckles. "So we all know you're tough."

"You think I won't punch you in the face?" Drew asks.

"You have before." Miles turns to me. "It was over a riff. I called it derivative and Drew snapped."

"Fuck you. That was an amazing lick." Drew shakes his head. His expression is equal parts teasing and frustrated.

"Not gonna change my mind no matter how many times you hit me," Miles says.

Drew flips Miles off. His expression shifts, sixty-forty teasing to frustrated. "Damn, forgot about my favorite part of this movie, when the T-rex eats the piece-of-shit lawyer."

"I was going to be a lawyer," Miles offers. "Drew is pretty subtle sometimes. He can be hard to understand."

Drew shakes his head. The guys exchange a knowing look. They're up to eighty percent playful. Give or take.

I settle into my seat and try to focus on the screen. I can still feel the heat from Miles's muscular thighs.

I go to adjust my skirt. Instantly, I can feel his eyes on my skin. He's staring. Instead of pulling my skirt down, I let it ride up an inch and watch his reactions.

His blue eyes go wide.

He wants me.

I want him.

Maybe I really can do this.