"I just have to grab my purse." I dashed upstairs, smudged on a pinch more eyeliner, and met Jack at the door as he was finishing his goodbyes.

"Don't be too late, honey," Mom said automatically.

Slipping out the door and into Jack's incredible car, I felt like I was setting out on an adventure. His grin sent a cloud of electric butterflies surging through my stomach.

Then Jack reached out to hold my hand. "I’m torn. On the one hand, I want to walk into the party with the most gorgeous girl in the world on my arm. But on the other, I want to skip it entirely and take you to dinner. What do you think, Grace?"

He actually thought this was some kind of date?

My head was spinning. I'd barely dated at all. Now I was on my way somewhere with Dad's business colleague, who happened to be a big shot stock broker.

I'd have to just go for it.

"Dinner," I said, squeezing his hand. "Be a bad boy."

His fingers twined with mine as his dazzling smile made my heart swell in my chest. "Gorgeous, that is not the sort of thing a nice girl should say to a man like me."

I smiled back. "Too late. I said it."