Like This And Like That by Nia Stephens Read Free Book Online Page B

girlfriend since I was fifteen years old. She’s the only person I’ve really dated and I was afraid that my lack of dating experience would turn you off.”
    â€œSo you did a complete one-eighty?” Gemma asked.
    â€œI really like you and felt like an idiot trying to deceive you. I’m sorry,” he said again. “There are so many things I haven’t told you. Things like I’m on the debate team at school and I love it. I don’t play any sports and I have a dachshund.” He held up the bloody tissue. “I’m also a bit clumsy.”
    â€œYa think?” Gemma said.
    â€œPlus, when I saw that guy talking to you, I thought I had to protect my territory. Isn’t that what guys do?”
    Gemma laughed. “First of all, never refer to a girl as your territory. When guys do that, they just look like crazy, homicidal maniacs. But it’s okay. I guess I understand what you were attempting to do.”
    â€œYou don’t think I’m a punk?” he asked.
    â€œLet me put it this way,” she said. “I think much better of you now than when the date first started.”
    Drew leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Would you go out with me again?” he asked. Before she could respond, he put one hand on his chest, and held up the other one as if he were swearing an oath. “But this time, no studs,” he promised. He pulled the flashy earrings off his earlobes. Gemma’s eyes widened. They were fakes!
    For the first time tonight, Gemma felt like she was finally seeing Drew’s real personality. Too bad it took a bloody nose for it to shine through. But was this sudden revelation enough to give him another chance?
    IF GEMMA DECIDES TO GIVE DREW ANOTHER CHANCE, EVEN AFTER THE DISASTROUS PARTY,
    continue to page 51.

    IF GEMMA DOES NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH DREW AGAIN,
    turn to page 69.

Think Gemma should give Drew another chance? Then read on!
    Chapter 5
    The Sounds of Silence
    â€œS o what do you think about dogs?” Drew asked a few nights later as he and Gemma sat talking over pepperoni pizza.
    â€œI love dogs. I have my shih tzu, LeBron, but I’d love to get more. My mother keeps saying no but I think she’ll cave someday.”
    â€œI told you about my dachshund, right?” Drew asked. Gemma nodded as she took a sip of her soda. He had only mentioned his dog Stanley about five times.
    â€œWell, I took Stanley for a walk in the park the other day and he had the nerve to chase down a pit bull. I think he has some sort of Napoleon complex or something.”
    â€œNo way,” Gemma said. “What happened?”
    â€œThat’s the funny thing,” Drew told her. “The pit bull took off like a bullet and so now every time we go to the park for a walk, Stanley trots around like some king looking for the next big dog to chase down. It’s too funny.”
    Gemma almost choked on her pizza, laughing. The thought of a dog barely bigger than LeBron chasing a pit bull was hilarious.
    When the laughter died down, they lapsed into silence. This had been happening ever since he picked her up. At least tonight he was dressed like a normal guy, and the real Drew was actually pretty handsome. But every once in a while conversation lagged, and that seemed to make Drew nervous, like he thought he was failing at something.
    Gemma racked her brain for something to say. She felt as if she should have prepared note cards listing possible topics of conversation.
    She looked across the table, her eyes widening as she watched Drew shovel in another slice of pizza. His cheeks were puffed out to capacity. She worried that the date would end with her performing the Heimlich maneuver.
    When he turned to flag down the waitress for another soda, Gemma quickly glanced at her watch. Unfortunately, unlike the beginning of the date, time was now moving way too slowly.
    â€œYou look great today,” he said, turning