Page 7 of Light My Fire

What makes you think they would even be interested?

I delete that immediately before I hit send. Gran will spend the next twenty minutes complimenting me and giving me a pep talk that will only make me more nervous if I show her any insecurity.

But she doesn’t need any encouragement.

Just have fun. Think of it as practice flirting. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, accomplished young woman. They would be idiots not to be flattered by attention from you, Brookey.

The nickname makes me bristle. I don’t know why I hate it. I just do.

A little warning would have been nice.

I’m repeating myself because it’s all the ammunition I have with a grandmother hellbent on embarrassing me in the name of matchmaking.

Sweetie, you can’t study for everything in life. Some things need to just happen spontaneously.

She’s right. I know she is. But it still makes me want to break out in hives. Though Wyatt did suck on my finger. I’m pretty sure that is flirting. Even I know that.

I glance out the bedroom window. It’s already snowing.

How much snow are we getting anyway?

A TON! So much I doubt you can leave tomorrow.

She adds a string of smiley face emojis to that.

If I miss my finals and ruin my career it’s your fault.

Relax. It’s only Thursday. By Sunday it will be clear and your exams start Tuesday, right?

Yes.

Then enjoy yourself! Get in the hottub. Your neck must be stiff from studying.

There’s no arguing with her about that.

You’re insane but I love you.

I love you too.

She adds a kiss emoji.

I don’t emoji, if that’s a verb. It drives her crazy, so normally I will concede with one or two, but not today. She deserves no emoji satisfaction.

It feels too obvious to put on a bra now, so I just button my sweater up. I brush my teeth and then take a deep breath.

My neck is stiff.

My grandmother is right.

I should just try to relax and enjoy myself.

This will never happen again,ever. It is a golden opportunity. I could definitely use a little practice flirting. Alotof practice.I’ve only had a couple of boyfriends and those were when I was a teenager.

I’ve been way too busy to have a relationship in recent years and while I don’t regret that, I do feel like I’ve missed out on one thing I am very curious about—sex.

Being a virgin is starting to feel like a hurdle to future dating.

But to not be a virgin, I have to know how to flirt and talk to men more effectively than I have in the past.

---