So just like getting an unsightly mole removed, I’m going to get rid of my virginity. It’s so overrated. It’s not like I feel special still having mine. I can’t put it on a résumé or anything like that. The first time will be a stick, a pinch, and a burn just like getting my ears pierced or a shot at the doctor’s office. I didn’t make a big deal out of getting my ears pierced. It’s not as if the specialist who put two holes in my ears sends me Christmas and birthday cards. Heck, I don’t know if she ever even told me her name.

As always, Kai is letting me stay with him until Alex’s parents leave. And, as always, I’ve been invited to dinner with Alex and her parents at the place I call home ninety percent of the time. The timing is good. I need to grab another change of clothes to get me through the rest of the week.

“Do you have your key?” Kai questions as I get ready to leave.

“They’re going to be there, why do I need my key?”

“No, to your bedroom.”

I always lock my bedroom door before Alex’s parents come to visit. She told them that she’s taking up painting but not ready to share her masterpieces with the world. The crazy part? They believe her.

“Thanks, and yes, I have my key.”

“Well, you know where I’ll be.” He sighs.

I don’t even acknowledge him before closing the door behind me. Kate is coming home in a week and Kai promised he’d repaint the living room while she’s gone because she can’t handle the fumes. He’s just now taping everything off. The downside will be Kate reaming his ass because she’ll still smell it and know that he waited until the last minute to do it. The upside is Kai has something to do that doesn’t require me entertaining him.

* * *

It’s only a mile to our place from Kai’s. I’ve walked it so many times over the past two years I think I could do it blindfolded. The first thing that I notice is Alex’s parents’ black SUV parked by the curb with its New York license plates. Then I notice my neighbor walking in the opposite direction toward his place. He’s still dressed in his work clothes so I imagine he’s just gotten off the subway train. When he spots me I make a quick diversion with my eyes praying he doesn’t say anything before I can hurry into the house.

“Vivian?”

Too late!

Keeping my eyes to the sidewalk I give a quick wave.

“Vivian, wait!”

Out of the corner of my eye I see him heading across the street. Taking a courageous breath, I stop and look up at him, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Yes, neighbor?” Smiles don’t get any more fake than mine.

He sighs. “Listen, I’m sorry about the text. It was pretty shitty of me to not just call you or tell you in person. I just—”

I hold up my hand. “Save it. It’s fine. I’m fine. Whatever.” I brush past him.

“Vivian, wait!”

I stop, keeping my back to him.

“Did you really ask my brother out this weekend?”

“Does it matter?”

“I think so, since he has the impression you’re looking for a one-night stand.”

“Does it matter?”

“Jesus, Vivian! He’s just going to use you.”

I whip around. “No, I’m using him.”

Oliver plants his fists on his hips. “To make me jealous?”

Shaking my head I laugh. “Get over yourself.” I walk up the steps to the front door and look back. “Besides, Chance is closer to my age. He’ll have more stamina to keep up with me when I ride him like it’s the Kentucky Derby.” I knock on the red door and just as it opens I throw him one last smile. “Later, neighbor.”

I’m not sure if the look on his face is horror or shock, but either way, I feel the bittersweet satisfaction.

“Viv!” Alex’s mom greets me with open arms as I step in and shut the door.

“Annabelle, nice to see you. Mmm, something smells good and I know it’s not Alex’s cooking.”

Annabelle smiles. “You’re right, it’s not Alex’s cooking but not because she doesn’t know how. Don’t let her make you think I didn’t teach her how to cook.”

“Is that so …” I glare at Alex as she watches TV with her dad.

“For the record. I never told you I can’t cook, I said I don’t cook.”

“Hey, Viv.” Her dad smiles.

“Hi, Mark. What’s the score?”

He grunts. “Zero-three.”

Alex scoots closer to him, nudging his arm. “You mean zero your team, three mine.”

“Watch it, young lady, or I’ll have your butt transferred back to where you remember what it means to be a Yankees fan.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Alex hops off the couch. “So I finally got to meet the older Konrad brother today. They were picking up some shrubs and holy moly, how did I not know he’s our … uh, I mean, my neighbor?” She makes a quick recovery. Luckily her mom is enthralled with dinner preparations and her dad is drowning in the misery of his team falling behind in the always heated rivalry.

“I’m not sure, but he’s no longer on my radar.”

Alex hoists herself up on the counter and starts picking at the colorful salad her mom’s making. Annabelle smacks her hand away. Alex pops a cherry tomato in her mouth and smirks.

“So spill, what happened?”

I hold up two fingers to make a V.

“Seriously? That’s a problem?”

I shrug. “Apparently.”

“What’s a problem?” Annabelle asks.

Both of our eyes widen and Alex giggles. “Nothing, there’s this guy that Flower likes but he’s being weird about her … height.”

I roll my eyes.

“Viv, you’re a beautiful young woman. I’d love to have your long legs, sweetie. I’m sure you just intimidate him, which means he’s not the one for you.”

Alex nods. “Yes, he’s just intimidated by your height. Those long legs of yours and the way they form a perfect V.” She giggles some more.

Annabelle smacks Alex’s butt. “Why are you acting so goofy today? Hop off and set the table.”

Alex hops down and we both carry the plates and silverware into the dining room.

“He really dumped you because you’re a virgin?” she whispers.

“Dumped is a little extreme, but yes, he decided we should be neighbors or friends because of the age difference and him not having what I want. Which is total code for I’m a virgin, especially given the fact it was the last conversation we had before he decided to … well, yes, dump me.”

“Ahem.” Annabelle clears her throat as she and Mark stand a few feet behind us with their hands full of serving dishes.

Great! The knowledge of my virginity just keeps spreading like a virus. I need to get rid of it before it goes any further.

* * *

“You asked Chance out?” Alex’s screech bounces off the walls of my bedroom as I gather some spare clothes.

“That’s what I said.” I laugh.

“Yeah, but … why? Is it to make Oliver jealous?”

“No, definitely not that.” I plop on my bed. “If I tell you, can you keep it to yourself?”

“Of course. You know me.” Alex flips her hair back like my question is ridiculous.

“Sure I can. That’s why Sean knows everything I’ve ever told you.”

“Not everything.”

“Mmm hmm, whatever.” I grimace as I take in a deep breath. “I’m just using Chance to lose my virginity.”

“What? Flower, are you serious?” Alex sits down next to me.

I nod. “I’m not doing it to get Oliver back. Obviously if that were the case I wouldn’t choose his brother. It’s just that Oliver made me believe that maybe I’m not destined to be an eternal virgin, and if that’s the case I want to know that when the right guy comes along I’m not dealing with this virgin issue again.”

Alex giggles. “I love the way you’re referring to it as the ‘virgin issue,’ like a yeast infection or something.”

“Well, if you would have seen the way Oliver looked at me when I told him, it might as well have been a yeast infection or an STD for that matter.”

“Are you sure Chance is the best choice? I didn’t think you were interested.”

“I’m not. That’s what makes him ideal. He’s a total player and one-night stands are his specialty. He’s good looking and relatively nice, even if his kindness is often misplaced as inappropriate advances.”

Alex picks at her bottom lip. “But … don’t you want your first time to be special?”

“Was yours?”

She shrugs. “No, but …”

“But what?”

“I don’t know.” She laughs. “I just said it because I thought it was the right thing to say. You know, like talking someone off the edge of a cliff.”

I chuckle. “Thanks, but I’m twenty-one, not fifteen.”

“Does he know?”

“Chance?”

Alex nods.

“I don’t think so. Not unless Oliver told him. I just asked him out and basically alluded to the fact that he was going to get laid and it would be a one-time deal. I didn’t say ‘Hey, can I interest you in dinner, a movie, and my virginity?’”

“You should have.”

We both chuckle.

“What about your back?”

“That’s another reason I picked Chance. Something tells me that if I wear the right skirt or dress, sans panties, he’s the type of guy who can happily get the job done without removing all our clothes. I’m thinking a button down, open in the front bra, and knee length skirt.”

“Only my brainy business friend would approach losing her virginity like a strategic business transaction.”

“So help me, God, if you tell Kai I will murder you right after I tell your parents about our little housing and work arrangement.”

“Me––ow, put your claws away. Save the catfight for all the women who are going to hate that you’re officially putting yourself back on the market.”